Legendary television producer Merv Griffin jumped into the soul music business with Stax Records, via a new deal it was announced today (November 18, 1972).
Griffin’s company, Griffin Productions, announced that it would produce six musical specials, the first focusing on Memphis-based record label Stax Records.
The first special on Stax Records taped on December 12, 1972, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The special, titled “Isaac Hayes and the Stax Organization Presenting The Memphis Sound,” taped in front of an audience of 2,000 people.
During the show, Isaac Hayes, Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, The Staple Singers, Luther Ingram and The Emotions performed.
The deal called for Stax Records to release a soundtrack for the TV special when it first broadcast.
The special eventually aired in April 1973, but after the Stax Records show, Griffin Productions stopped developing the music specials.
No further TV shows were taped and the soundtrack was never released.
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