March 27, 1967, Croydon
While my relationship with my first boyfriend Franklin continues to be challenging, I invite him to come to see one of the final performances of the Stax/Volt review, undoubtedly one of the most exciting shows for the growing number of soul music fans in Britain, indeed in Europe. It’s a really big deal that Stax Records is bringing ‘The Memphis Sound’ to UK audiences, with the studio house band – Booker T. & The MGs and The Mar-Keys having their own slots on the show and then backing Eddie Floyd, special guest Arthur Conley, the amazing Sam & Dave and the phenomenal Otis Redding for unquestionably the most soulful show I’ve ever seen at that point in my life! (I missed the 1965 Tamla Motown UK tour since, aged 17, I was only just discovering American R&B at that time).
Needless to say, Otis, Sam & Dave and company are incredible onstage, exuding energy and emotion the likes of which I had never seen before. None of the packed house could have known that by year’s end, Otis Redding would be gone and this would be the only time I’d see him live. Franklin enjoys the show (although he’s not a full-on soul fan) and we get the last train from Croydon back into London. The journey is ‘eventful’ given Franklin’s roving eye (details to follow in the book!) and I’m starting to wonder how much longer I want to continue our relationship…