Wattstax Introduction

From the Great Migration to the biggest concert in LA county, the history of Wattstax is rich in culture and stories. Wattstax was a 1972 concert held at the LA Coliseum by the company called Stax Records and the city of Watts to remember the 1965 revolt, which are often referred to as the Watts riots. Not only was there music at Wattstax, but there were powerful speeches made by cultural icons such as Jesse Jackson, a leader in the Black Power movement. Many types of music were performed at this concert such as gospel, blues and soul, each a  type of predominantly Black music possessing  a fascinating past. This concert and its history are very important as Wattstax was a symbol of how the Black community was strong, proud, and entering a new, brighter time period. Wattstax was a place where Black people could celebrate themselves and be proud of their race and identity.