Historic 1965 Los Angeles Concert Set Featuring William Bell, The Mad Lads, Booker T. & The M.G.’S, Rufus & Carla Thomas, And More

HISTORIC 1965 LOS ANGELES CONCERT SET FEATURING WILLIAM BELL, THE MAD LADS, BOOKER T. & THE M.G.’S,
RUFUS & CARLA THOMAS, WILSON PICKETT, AND MORE

Stax Revue: Live in ’65! – A Soul Landmark Unearthed
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​Sixty years ago this summer, the stars of Stax Records brought Memphis soul to Los Angeles for a landmark two-night stand at South LA’s 5-4 Ballroom. Dubbed the Stax Revue, the August 7–8, 1965 engagement marked the label’s first major showcase on the West Coast and introduced LA audiences to Rufus & Carla Thomas, Booker T. & The M.G.’s, The Mar-Keys, The Mad Lads, Wilson Pickett, and William Bell.

But this milestone moment arrived on the eve of turmoil: just three days later, the Watts Rebellion would erupt only miles away. That sense of history in the making reverberates through Stax Revue: Live in ’65!—a deluxe new collection from Craft Recordings, available August 8 on 2-LP, 2-CD, and digital formats.

The album features newly remastered audio from both the 5-4 Ballroom shows and a rare hometown concert recorded earlier that summer at Memphis’ Club Paradise. The latter includes standout performances by Booker T. & The M.G.’s, The Astors, Wendy Rene, and a charismatic solo set by David Porter.

Originally shelved for decades, highlights from the 5-4 shows were first released in 1991. Now, this expanded set offers previously unreleased gems—like Wilson Pickett’s explosive “In the Midnight Hour,” a nearly 20-minute version of “The Dog” by Rufus Thomas, and an early rendition of “Boot-Leg” by Booker T. & The M.G.’s (available now as an advance single).

The physical editions come complete with liner notes by GRAMMY® winner Lynell George and producer Alec Palao, who reflect on the concerts’ cultural weight. “Stax was its own revolution,” writes George. “Its playlist consoled, inspired, and uplifted.” Palao adds, “These recordings capture a fleeting moment with unforeseen significance.”

The 5-4 Ballroom, often called the “Apollo of the West,” was a symbolic venue. Opened in 1922 as a segregated hall and integrated in 1947, it had hosted legends like Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole. As tensions in LA escalated, the Stax artists—many performing outside of Memphis for the first time—delivered a show that bridged entertainment and empowerment.

Notable moments include The Mad Lads singing their hit “Don’t Have to Shop Around,” William Bell’s soulful “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” and Rufus Thomas igniting the crowd with show-stopping flair. The emcee, DJ Magnificent Montague of KGFJ, lent an eerie foreshadowing with his famed catchphrase: “Burn, Baby, Burn.”

Back in Memphis, the Club Paradise recordings reveal a looser, more intimate side of the Stax family. Booker T. & The M.G.’s groove through “Green Onions” and “Summertime,” while Wendy Rene lights up the room with “Bar-B-Que.” David Porter delivers powerful renditions of his 1965 single “Can’t See You When I Want To” and Gene Chandler’s “Just Be True.”

Despite the mystery surrounding why these tapes were shelved—possibly due to the unrest that followed or changing label priorities—the music is finally getting its due. Remastered by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer Joe Tarantino and cut by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl, Stax Revue: Live in ’65! delivers the raw energy and enduring spirit of a soul institution at a pivotal time.
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As Palao concludes, “The 5-4 show packs the punch of Stax at its peak. The Club Paradise set offers a fascinating, relaxed counterpart. Together, they offer a timeless snapshot of one of America’s most vital musical movements.”

Stax Revue: Live in ’65! Tracklist (2-LP):
Club Paradise
A1. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Green Onions
A2. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Boot-Leg*
A3. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – You Can’t Sit Down
A4. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Summertime


B1. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Soul Twist
B2. David Porter – Just Be True*
B3. David Porter – Can’t See You When I Want To*
B4. The Astors – What Can It Be*
B5. Wendy Rene – Bar-B-Q*


5-4 Ballroom
C1. The Mar-Keys – Last Night
C2. The Mad Lads – Don’t Have To Shop Around
C3. The Astors – Candy
C4. William Bell – Any Other Way
C5. William Bell – You Don’t Miss Your Water


D1. Carla Thomas – Every Ounce Of Strength
D2. Booker T. & The M.G.’S – Boot-Leg
D3. Wilson Pickett – In The Midnight Hour*
D4. Rufus Thomas – Walking The Dog


*Previously unreleased.




Stax Revue: Live in ’65! Tracklist (2-CD/Digital):


Disc 1: Club Paradise
1. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Green Onions
2. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Boot-Leg*
3. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – You Can’t Sit Down
4. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Summertime 
5. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Soul Twist
6. The Astors – What Can It Be*
7. David Porter – I’ll Be Doggone*
8. David Porter – Just Be True*
9. David Porter – Out Of Sight*
10. David Porter – Can’t See You When I Want To*
11. Wendy Rene – Bar-B-Q*


Disc 2: 5-4 Ballroom
1. The Mar-Keys – Last Night
2. The Mad Lads – Don’t Have To Shop Around
3. The Astors – Candy
4. William Bell – Any Other Way
5. William Bell – You Don’t Miss Your Water
6. Carla Thomas – Every Ounce Of Strength
7. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Boot-Leg
8. Wilson Pickett – In The Midnight Hour*
9. Rufus Thomas – Walking The Dog
10. Rufus Thomas – The Dog*


*Previously unreleased.

Click here to pre-order/pre-save Stax Revue: Live in ’65!​