Memphis - Birthplace of Rock n Roll

On the way to downtown, we crossed the Mississippi and thus returned from Arkansas, where our accommodation was located, to Tennessee.

Today's day in Memphis was all about music-historical events.

In good weather, we first visited the Rock n Soul Museum. We had to pay $12, but it was worth every penny in the end.

The development of Soul and Rock n Roll was described in detail. It also vividly highlighted the black population as second-class citizens and their influence on the music in Memphis. As it turned out, the music should show a way for blacks and whites to come closer to each other. It was Sam Phillips, founder of the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, who was the first white person to sign black artists. Or Dewey Phillips, Rock n Roll pioneer and DJ at the local radio station WHBQ, who played music from artists from all walks of life. He became famous mainly because he was the first to play a song by Elvis Presley on the radio in 1954 - That's All Right. The response from listeners to this song was enormous, laying the foundation for Elvis' later career here.

The history of the first Rock n Roll song ever - Rocket 88 - also had a place. It was written by Ike Turner and sung by Jackie Brenston in 1951.

Unfortunately, I have to stop here because the information about the music history in Memphis cannot be covered in a few sentences. This museum is definitely worth a visit!

After a total of 2 1/2 hours and a short detour to the souvenir shop, we left the museum again.

Afterwards, I wanted to visit the BBQ restaurant Charlie Vergos Rendezvous with Steffi, but we got lost because of me. As compensation, I treated Steffi to dinner.

After the BBQ, we went to another milestone in music history: the Sun Studios. The entrance fee here was also $12.

It was opened by Sam Phillips in 1952 as part of his Sun Records label, which he founded in 1950. Elvis recorded his very first song in the Sun Studios. Other famous musicians who recorded their records here were B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins (founder of Rockabilly), Roy Orbison, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

The music world had an extraordinary moment when Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis happened to be in the Sun Studios at the same time in 1956 and decided to have a spontaneous jam session together. This jam session was recorded and later became known as the Million Dollar Quartet. Jerry Lee Lewis is the only surviving musician from this session.

Our tour guide told us many anecdotes about the Sun Studio.

After being misused for many years, including the move of a surf shop, recordings can now be made here again.

We wanted to end the day on Beale Street, the legendary entertainment district of Memphis. It is also known as the 'Home of the Blues'. Artists such as Louis Armstrong and B.B. King (Beale Street Blues Boy) frequently performed here in their early days.

We could observe the hustle and bustle on Beale Street well from a terrace at Alfred's on Beale and let the day come to a peaceful end.

Conclusion: A must for those interested in music history! Also for all other visitors to Memphis!