Memphis

BEFORE READING MY POST PLEASE CLICK THE PAUSE ON MY iPod TO STOP THE MUSIC.

My husband and I took a day trip to Memphis. We decided to drive up for some Memphis BBQ. After living in Texas, we've become a bit of BBQ snobs. We are on the hunt for the perfect BBQ joint in every state. We've had so much BBQ you'd think our blood was made of sauce. We have our favorites in Texas but enjoy trying to locate good BBQ across the South.

My husband plays guitar and loves music. We thought it would be fun to go on a Rock'n Roll tour of Memphis. It was such a fantastic day. We went to the Rock'n Roll museum, the Gibson Guitar factory, and Sun Records. My husband practically drooled over the guitars and I found it really interesting to see how they make them. However, my favorite was the Sun Records tour. I had no idea how much talent came from Memphis. Of course we know that is where Elvis Presley got his start but I had no idea Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash also signed with Sun Records. Very cool!

Furry Lewis

Highway 61 is considered the Blues Highway. It starts from New Orleans and ends in Minnesota. However, the Blues Highway is the stretch that runs through the Mississippi Delta. The junction of Highways 61 and 49 is considered the famous "Crossroads." This is where legendary blues player, Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil  in order to master the blues.

 

As you cross into the Magnolia state

Mississippi is considered the Birthplace of Rock'n Roll. Blues and gospel music originated from the Mississippi Delta. Elvis Presley was also born in Tupelo, Mississippi. He grew up poor and around black families. Even when his family moved to Memphis, Elvis lived in a black area of town. This is where he fell in love and learned to sing gospel music.

Sam Phillips

At the time there was a studio called, Sun Records. A man named, Sam Phillips, started Sun Records for his own love of independent music. He had a reputation throughout the South for recording black soul music. This was unheard of at the time. Many black musicians traveled from Mississippi, New Olreans, and Memphis to get an opportunity to record for Mr. Phillips.

Really cool retro jukebox

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Four guitars signed by various musicians like U2, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson, etc.

Gibson Guitar Factory where you can see how guitars are made

Guitars belonging to B.B. King

Above the entrance to Sun Records Studio

Legendary Sun Studio where Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash got their starts.

My husband doing his best Elvis impersonation

B.B. King

Elvis

Drum set that U2 donated to Sun Records. They recorded their Rattle & Hum album there.

Actual room where Elvis, Johny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison U2 and many more recorded.

The original sign they used back in the 1950s

My feet standing where Elvis use to practice and record

I tried to get a picture of the cool retro soda counter inside of Sun Records but some dude photo bombed me. At least he smiling and cheerful. Look at that picture on the wall above the counter. The picture is of Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johny Cash, and Elvis. Elvis happened to stop by when Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins were in the studio. They called Johnny Cash and all had a really cool jam session. If you go on the tour you'll be able to hear them play and discuss the music.