We have made our way to Memphis, TN. Home of the Blues and Rock & Roll. We had a musical journey today. It started with a visit to the Sun Record Recording Studio. The studio that Elvis Presley recorded his first record and they represented him for many years. It is a historical building and as such can not be modified.
Sam Phillips opened this studio while he was a dj in the Memphis area. He liked the raw sounds of the blues that have been played here for decades and wanted a place to capture the local sounds. Early blues artists like Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Furry Lewis and Blind Lemon Jefferson were some of the artists that recorded here.
You can just feel the musical history in this place. With the exception of some new recording equipment, every thing in this studio is the same as when Sam Phillips recorded the early blues singers and Elvis. It is interesting to note that the studio is still in use today after the tours for the day end. At 7pm, the studio opens its doors for aspiring musicians to come in and cut their demos in hopes to hit it big.
An original record by Elvis. There are many of these that are hanging on the walls. The Elvis story was interesting. Elvis had heard about this studio and hung around on his time off from the electric company that he worked at. He kept pestering the studio owner, Sam Phillips for a chance to record. He could have gone down the street to a cheap amateur recording place but was "hoping to be discovered" according to Sam. His big break came on July 5, 1954 when Sam had heard a demo of "Without You" that he thought would suit 18 year old Presley. Sam was looking for the "Negro Sound" that he could bring to a wider audience. He said "if he could find a white man that had the negro sound and the Negro feel, I could make a billion dollars. Unfortunately, it did not work out but he was sufficiently impressed by what he heard to invite two local musicians, guitarist Winfield "Scotty" Moore and upright bass player Bill Black, to work something up with Presley for a recording session. As they were ready to quit for the night, Sam left the control room and Elvis took his guitar and started to play, "It's Alright" while he jumped around and acted goofy. Scotty picked up his guitar and Bill Black followed with the bass and they were all moving around while playing. Sam heard the music, came back in the control room and told them to start over, that was the sound he was looking for. The rest is history.
This is the actual microphone Elvis and all the other recording stars used when they recorded at the Sun Studios. This duo will probably never make it in the music world. Many artists would record here, Ringo Starr, U-2, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, June Carter. So much history. I do not mean to slight the original blues musicians that develop the sound. Their history is rich, deep and far reaching for the recording artists of the day. I do not have enough knowledge to give them their due and would encourage you to study up on them if you are interested. Their stories, lives and music still bring people of all races together.
This is the drum set that U2 used when they recorded here. It was donated by the drummer to the studio to be used as a studio drum set.
The guys here are referred to as "the million dollar quartet." Can you name them? Left to right, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins on guitar, Elvis on the piano and Johnny Cash. They met at the studio and had an informal jam session. Sam secretly recorded this session, had to since he sold Elvis's contract to RCA, he kept the tape up to his death. After Sam's death, the tape was found and it is now released.
From here we got to explore Beale Street and have a hosted buffet at B.B Kings. During segregation, Beale Street was the center of commerce and provided a place for the blacks to gather to do their shopping and get away from the feelings of animosity that existed just a few blocks away in downtown Memphis. It did not take long for the blues artists to setup shop here and the neighborhood grew. Today, the street is home to good music and good food 7 days a week. One interesting store was A. Schwab. Built back in the late 1800's it soda fountain and odd assortment of merchandise draw people in today. Their motto is: If we don't have it, you probably do not need it.
The soda fountain today.
One of the bar/restaurants on the street.
Interesting sweet shop.
Last but not least, B.B. Kings Restrauant where we were treated to a wonderful bbq buffet by Fantasy RV Tours.
As you would imagine, this place is full of music memorabilia and live bands play every night here. The food is good and I would bet the music is better!
Some of the thousands of photos and records of blues players that line the walls.
After lunch we were given tickets to the best museum we have been in during this trip.
I do not have the words to explain how unique and interesting this place is. If you are a fan of the blues, rock and roll or music history, this place is for you. History is brought to life here as you listen to original recordings from legendary blues artists. See the stage costumes, and learn about the integration of music, culture and life in what is known as the birthplace of blues.
One of the first commercial jukeboxes manufactured. It held 7 records. The records were the "78's" heavy and spun at 78 rpm. You could choose the records you wanted.
An early Wurlitzer Jukebox. This is the "bubble" model. You can see the bubbles that move up the small tubes on the sides. Up until now, jukeboxes were plain, machines. A Dr. Pepper salesman came in to an establishment wanting to put up his colorful, lit up Dr. Pepper display to introduce the drink. He put it on top of the old plain jukebox. When the jukebox's company employee came it to empty the money and service the machine, he noticed it consistently made more money than the other machines in the area. He determined the reason to be the colorful Dr. Pepper display, relayed this information up to the head office and the colorful, lit jukeboxes were born.
The head of a Gibson guitar made for B.B. King who called all his guitars "Lucille."
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