Wattstax: “I Am Somebody!" Exhibit.


In celebration of Black History Month, Rhodes' African American Studies Program is hosting "Wattstax: I Am Somebody!" an exhibit of over 50 rare photographs from the archives of the Stax Museum of American Soul of Music, Memphis, TN.

The 1973 film "Wattstax: The Living Word," is based on Stax Records' seven-hour concert that entertained more than 100,000 people in the Los Angeles Coliseum at the annual Watts Summer Festival in 1972.

The event is believed to have launched the careers of Richard Pryor, Isaac Hayes, Luther Ingram, Rufus and Carla Thomas, The Bar-Kays, and the Staple Singers and moved Rev. Jesse Jackson to lead the crowd in the “I Am Somebody” refrain.

In July and December 1973, Elvis recorded several well-known songs at Stax, including "If You Talk in Your Sleep," "I've Got a Thing About You Baby," "My Boy," and a cover of Chuck Berry's "Promised Land."

The "Wattstax: I Am Somebody!" exhibit recaptures the Wattstax concert and documentary and chronicles the African American experience during a time of social change and empowerment.

Free and open to the public, the exhibit will be on display in the Paul Barret, Jr. at the Rhodes College Campus library in Memphis from February 2-28, 2008. Times are: Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Sundays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Those with specific inquiries can contact Dr. Anita Davis at 901-843-3989.


2008/02/12 EPE / www.epgold.com