In 1968, The Staple Singers brought their gospel roots to Stax Records, teaming up first with Steve Cropper on Soul Folk in Action and We’ll Get Over. When Cropper left, Al Bell took the reins blending funk, soul, and gospel, recording rhythm tracks in Muscle Shoals and overdubs at Memphis’s own Ardent Studios. From there came a run of classics: 💿 Heavy Makes You Happy (1971) 💿 Respect Yourself a civil-rights-era anthem that moved millions 💿 I’ll Take You There (1972) #1 across the charts 💿