This episode is a journey into the deep, beautiful, and dangerous world of Memphis soul, where more than one thing can be true and it’s damn hard to tell what’s wrong and what’s right. When Luther Ingram cut “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right” in 1972, he created a timeless classic of soul music. Yet the machinations of his shadowy, gun-toting manager were not only putting Ingram’s career in jeopardy but were also threatening to bring down the legendary Stax record label. In this second instalment of The Soul Files, Bernhard Schmitz (DJ Burn Hard) investigates the raw ambition, studio genius, and moral contradictions behind one of southern soul’s defining records.

Episode 002 Sources & References

 Primary Records, Legal Documents & Federal Rulings:

• Calhoun v. Baylor, 646 F.2d 1158 (6th Cir. 1981) — U.S. Court of Appeals review of Stax Records bankruptcy proceedings and fraudulent transfer clawbacks ($2.54M judgment).
• In re Stax Records, Inc., Bankruptcy No. BK-75-2346 (W.D. Tenn., 1975–1981).
• State of Illinois Department of Public Health, Certificate of Death: Luther Ingram (March 2007).
• U.S. Copyright Office & BMI Work Registrations: “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right” (Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson, Carl Hampton) and “Respect Yourself” (Mack Rice, Luther Ingram).

Contemporary Press & Archival Coverage:

• Billboard & Cash Box Chart & Industry Archives (1965–1978).
• The Commercial Appeal (Memphis) — Airport cash seizures, federal tax probes, and Stax involuntary bankruptcy coverage (1972–1976).
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch & Belleville News-Democrat — Coverage of benefit concerts, dialysis medical struggles,and obituaries (2001–2007).

iterature & Reference Works:

• Bowman, Rob. Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records (Schirmer Books / Music Sales Group).
• Guralnick, Peter. Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom (Harper & Row / Little, Brown).
• Gordon, Robert. Respect Yourself: Stax Records and the Soul Explosion (Bloomsbury USA).
• Cosgrove, Stuart. Memphis 68: The Tragedy of Southern Soul (Polygon).
• Dannen, Frederic. Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business (Random House / Vintage).

Web & Archival Articles:

• Soulful Detroit Forum Archives
• Soul Source UK Archives
• Sir Shambling’s Deep Soul Heaven
• Stax Museum of American Soul Music Archives

Archival Audio, Liner Notes & Discographical Resources:

• Rounce, Tony. Liner notes to Pity for the Lonely: The Ko Ko Singles, Volume 1 (Kent Soul CDKEND 279, 2007) and I Don’t Want to Be Right: The Ko Ko Singles, Volume 2 (Kent Soul CDKEND 292, 2008).
• Bowman, Rob. Liner notes to The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles: Vol. 2 (1968–1971) and Vol. 3 (1972–1975)(Fantasy / Stax).
• 45cat, Both Sides Now Publications, and Discogs catalog entries for Federal, Smash, HIB, KoKo, Enterprise, and Profile Records.