Memphis Music

As a former Memphian now living in Phoenix, I am always amazed at how much people, who have never lived in Memphis, especially the many professional muscians I know here, have a reverence and deep appreciation of the monumental part Memphis has played in changing the landscape of American music.

I really don't believe the average Memphian has any idea of its place in history and the impact that relatively small window in time, during which such great, timeless music was produced, had on the world. Indeed, the music that came out of Memphis influenced a long list of famous artists including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc., etc.

My 14 year old granddaughter is impressed that her grandma actually hung out at a party once with some of the cast members, (Booker T and the MG"S), of "The Blues Brothers" movie, one of her favorites. I was also a good friend of Pam Johnson, (we both graduated in 1964 from Central), whose recording "He's My Guy",is included in the Stax 9 cd set.

I grew up in the same neighborhood as Elvis, though he was 12 years older, and we never met, and, as a child, went to the same movie theatres in north Memphis, (Rialto and Suzore),and swimming pool,(Malone). Several of my relatives attended Humes High with him, including a cousin whom he used to walk home from school! Guess every native Memphian who is over the age of 60 has an "Elvis Story"!!

But I digress. One example of how Memphians,in general, don't seem to appreciate what they had "in their own backyard",is this:

Several years ago, I attended a "Memphis Bop Club" party with an old friend, and noticed that the DJ did not play any Elvis music. When I asked him about that, he,incredulously, replied that he wasn't allowed to play any!!!

The fact that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ended up in Cleveland instead of Memphis (although the Smithsonian Rock & Soul Museum in Memphis is fabulous) is a travesty, along with the loss of the "Memphis Belle", but that's another whole story!

I too, am really enjoying reading the responses on this thread from people who were involved in this phenomenon of American culture, known as "Memphis Music!"