Wattstax

This is a filmed documentary of a black music festival held on August 20, 1972 at the Los Angeles Coliseum, sponsored by Stax Records and Schlitz Beer. The L.A./Watts riots demonstrated the community's urgent needs to the black show-business community. All the proceeds from the concert and this ...more

The 1972 Wattstax festival was the biggest soul concert ever, and it follows that the film of the same name is one of the most notable documents of soul music. It includes performances (usually very good ones) by some big and not-so-big names of the early-'70s scene: Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, Johnnie Taylor, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, the Bar-Kays, bluesmen Albert King and Little Milton, and on down to more minor but worthwhile artists like the Rance Allen Group and the Emotions. It's ...more