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Stax Panel Discussion to Explore Music and Activism

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Before the 1960s, if musicians wanted to make a political statement, they might do it with a song. Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" or Frank Sinatra's "The House I Live In" could be issued as commentary, yet still fly under the radar of politics. Today, many artists are expected to take more public and nuanced stands on issues, sometimes to their detriment. Zandria Robinson, sociology professor at Rhodes College, says that today's outspokenness is part of a changing industry, but not unprecedented. 

At 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Robinson will lead a free panel discussion called "From '68 to '18: Perspectives on Memphis Music + Activism," with rapper Marco Pave and former Stax producer Al Bell. Click hereto learn more. 

Reporting from the gates of Graceland to the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Christopher has covered Memphis news, arts, culture and politics for more than 20 years in print and on the radio. He is currently WKNO's News Director and Senior Producer at the University of Memphis' Institute for Public Service Reporting. Join his conversations about the Memphis arts scene on the WKNO Culture Desk Facebook page.