Al Bell Reflects on ``WATTSTAX'' Phenomenon and Its Impact Today.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- At the special screening and gallery exhibition of the movie WATTSTAX: The Living Word, Al Bell, executive producer of the film and former owner of Stax Records spoke during the panel discussion held at The Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis. Joined by Jesse Jackson and Isaac Hayes, who were featured in the award winning movie and Rap artist, Chuck D., Bell, now a consultant for Alpine Records, reflected on how the truth of the movie and its message has made it a classic documentary.

"It was over 30 years ago that Larry Shaw (producer and co-director), Forrest Hamilton (associate producer) and I had the vision of taking the roster of STAX's recording artists to Los Angeles, CA, - put on a concert at the Los Angeles Coliseum, - record it, - film it, - produce a documentary titled WATTSTAX, The Living Word, - and contribute a substantial portion of the net proceeds to an annual Los Angeles, CA African American cultural event - the Watts Summer Festival, and to varied other African American social, humanitarian and Civil Rights organizations." shared Bell.

"We believed that WATTSTAX would demonstrate the positive attributes of black pride and the unique substance found in the lives, living and lifestyle of the African American working class and middle class while revealing some insight into their internal thoughts during a time when we were still struggling to be recognized, respected, accepted as human beings and to be granted "equal rights" as enjoyed by every other ethnic group in the larger segment of American society."

Second only to the March on Washington, the WATTSTAX concert, with a turnstile count of 112,000 people, was the largest gathering of African Americans at that time. The seven hour show in the Los Angeles Coliseum featured the Stax Records roster of celebrated artist such as Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Albert King, The Bar-Kays, The Soul Children, Rance Allen Group, Luther Ingram, Little Milton, Kim Weston was captured for prosperity in the Cannes celebrated, Golden Globe nominated, Sundance honored film. The movie also featured the witty social commentary from former Stax artist Richard Pryor. From the nightclub performance by Johnny Taylor to the church pulpit performance by The Emotions, the WATTSTAX movie told the human experience of being black in America through their music and insightful on- the-street interviews with Watts' residents, seven years after the 1965 social rebellion in Watts.

"We believed that WATTSTAX would provide somewhat of a "mirror" for us to see ourselves, and an opportunity for other Americans to peer through a small "window of our existence" and gain a better insight into the kind of caring, and sensitive, family oriented people that we really are!!!"

"This was a time when African Americans dreamed of, and desired, to merely be granted, "equal rights" thereby becoming" "equal partners and equal participants" in the American Dream. WATTSTAX graphically demonstrates how a people, living in the land of plenty, possessing so little, found refuge in the "spirit of celebration."

Making it True to the Experience.

"It is very important to realize and note that WATTSTAX: The Living Word was financed by white and black money for at that time STAX Records and STAX Films were owned fifty percent by Jim Stewart (white) and fifty percent by Al Bell (black). WATTSTAX: The Living Word's Executive Producers were Al Bell (black) and David Wolper (white). The producers were Larry Shaw (black) and Mel Stuart (white). The director was Mel Stuart, a white man, whose directing, editing and finished product was guided and co-directed by a black man. Larry Shaw."

Impact of the Movie

Bell went on to tell how the movie gave the 75% black film crew entry into closed Hollywood unions at the time. And how co-producer David Wolper gained valuable insight that inspired him later to produce Alex Haley's Roots.

"As a result of the heavy black participation, the perspective of this movie was one of "truth!" Bold - sincere - undiluted!!!" continued Bell. "The "truth" of WATTSTAX: The Living Word - thirty years later inspired Scott Roberts and Michael Kelly, of The Saul Zaentz Film Center to serve as the instruments to resurrect and restore WATTSTAX: The Living Word to its original state," explained Bell. Now the movie is out on DVD distributed by Warner Bros.

He shared with the audience that even today WATTSTAX holds a place in African American history and inspires entertainment stars, like David Chappelle, to mimic with hip hop artist the WATTSTAX experience.

Working Together

"STAX, WATTSTAX personified how white and black people working side by side could make music for people, and a documentary about how the music reflected what was going on in black lives, living and life styles, without compromising in any manner the authenticity of the presentation," concluded Bell. "Is this a miracle, or is this merely an example of what we whites and blacks can achieve in America by working together, respecting each other, and accepting each other as we really are?"