Skip to Content
History

Wattstax (1973) ~ Los Angeles Colliseum

Wattstax is a 1973 documentary film by Mel Stuart that focused on the 1972 Wattstax music festival and the African American community of Watts in Los Angeles, California. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Documentary Film in 1974.

The concert was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 20, 1972, and organized by Memphis's Stax Records to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Watts riots. Wattstax was seen by some as "the Afro-American answer to Woodstock".

Tracklist:

What You See Is What You Get - The Dramatics
Oh La De Da - The Staple Singers
We the People - The Staple Singers
Star-Spangled Banner - Kim Weston
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing - Kim Weston
Respect Yourself - The Staple Singers
Someone Greater Than I - Jimmy Jones
Lying on the Truth - Rance Allen Group
Peace Be Still - The Emotions
Old-Time Religion - William Bell, Louise McCord, Debra Manning, Eric Mercury, Freddy Robinson, Lee Sain, Ernie Hines, Little Sonny, the Newcomers, Eddie Floyd, the Temprees, Frederick Knight
Son of Shaft/Feel It - The Bar-Kays
I'll Play The Blues For You - Albert King
Walking the Back Streets and Crying - Little Milton
Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone - Johnnie Taylor
I May Not Be What You Want - Mel and Tim
Pick Up the Pieces - Carla Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken - Rufus Thomas
If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want to be Right - Luther Ingram
Theme from Shaft - Isaac Hayes
Soulsville - Isaac Hayes

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

SoCal Day Laborers Increasingly Targeted By Scams, Wage Theft, and Deportation Threats

"It's not just about always being on alert, but sometimes, if [employers] hire us, they threaten us with ICE so they don't have to pay us," a laborer named José says in Spanish.

January 20, 2026

Sunday Taquitos #11: Rock Bottom

It’s a good question. Sunday Taquitos! Art by Ivan Ehlers.

January 18, 2026

DAILY MEMO: Ten-Year-Old Child, Gardeners, and Vendors, Among the More Than 88 Kidnapped in SoCal This Week

Memo answers the complicated question, “Isn’t it against the law now for ICE to be masked?”

Weekend Eats: ‘Fuck ICE’ Pop-Tarts In Highland Park; Palestinian Movie Night and Falafel Nachos in Watts

While the first taquero to win a Michelin star lands for one night only, Pioneer Chicken pops-up in the Valley, and bone marrow-and-wagyu paella arrives on the Westside.

January 16, 2026

Which Of These 11 L.A. Running Clubs Is Right For You?

There are running clubs across the city for activists, athletes, mothers, food lovers, different skill levels, and those seeking community, as well as a little company on the road.

January 15, 2026

City Council Backs Limits On LAPD’s Use Of ‘Militarized Police’ At Protests, Activists Are Skeptical

The “graded response” model calls for police officers in regular uniforms to be deployed at protests before sending in heavily-armed officers in riot gear and specialized units such as SWAT, if needed.

January 14, 2026
See all posts