Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum looks at Memphis’ music history
Rock, soul and gospel music converged on the city of Memphis in the 1950s and spread globally. The impact and influence of the music is brought together by the Rock and Soul Museum.
The museum, appropriately located on one end of Beale Street, examines the influence of music from the rural areas to the launch of Rockabilly and Rock ‘n; Roll with Sun Studio. The self-guided tour includes audio, so you can hear actual artists, such as Charlie Rich, discuss the history of the music in the area.
In the farm fields of the Mississippi Delta, share croppers of both white and black background, struggled to eke out a living. Country, blues and gospel music were the sounds emanating from fields during work days and at home during the night.
However, as happens with society, automation and machines took over farming, leaving people in search of a future.
Memphis was a central location for potential work as people flocked to the city. They could work in packing houses, mills and warehouses.
Eventually, the recording studios played a role in the Memphis sound.
Sun Studio launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. Other artists recording with Sun included the great BB King and Roy Orbison.
While Sun worked with artists of all ethnic backgrounds in the Rock ‘n’ Roll arena, STAX, HI and Satellite studios offered African Americans opportunities for success in the soul and blues genres. While STAX worked with both white and black artists, it launched careers of some great acts, among them: Otis Redding, Booker T and the MGs and Isaac Hayes.
Radio stations played a large role in the growth of music, obviously. WHBQ was considered the premiere Rock station. WDIA was a black-focused station. Not to be left out, WHER was an all-female station.
The museum has interesting exhibits highlighting each sound.
The Sun Studio area features a lot of clothing worn by the early stars. Musical instruments were also displayed.
We liked a poster promoting a Johnny Cash concert in Sioux City IA in 1980.
The STAX exhibit displayed some clothes worn by Al Green during his singing career, as well as a frock when he became a minister.
A few other items on display intrigued us:
A guitar amp used by Bruce Springsteen when he recorded the “Badlands” album. It features a song about Charles Starkweather (considered the nation’s first modern mass murderer for killings in Nebraska and Wyoming. He was executed for the crimes):
An organ and guitar used in writing the song “Suspicious Minds” for Elvis:
A “hat” worn by Bette Midler for a Halloween event:
The museum has a set of giant guitar picks on display with autographs.
The Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum should be on everyone’s itinerary when visiting Memphis. We recommend it. Plan 1-2 hours for a really interesting and informative tour through the history of Memphis music.
For more information on the museum, please visit its website at www.memphisrocknsoul.org.
Disclaimer: Thank you to the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau for the complimentary tickets. However, all opinions and views are ours.
