The soul that came out of Memphis in the 1960’s transformed the landscape of popular music. It was rhythm and blues; it was rock and roll. It was the sound of the Deep South, the incredible voices that came from the Black church, and the rhythms of the land. It was the vehicle to stardom for many. Its legacy has lasted more than 50 years and will live as long as people have a need to be nurtured by the soulful sounds of Stax-Volt, Otis Redding, Booker T and the MGs, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, James Brown, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin and many others. 

In this course, we'll look at the evolution of soul music, from late 1950’s Memphis through the success of Stax and Atlantic records. Along with digging into the artists, you'll learn about crisp drums and the Fender bass guitar, mellow Wurlitzer electric pianos, soulful Hammond B-3 organs, brash horns, stinging Fender Telecaster guitars, testifying vocals, and the sanctity of the four-piece rhythm section.