We have now seen where Martin Luther King was born, lived and died. An amazing man; an amazing life!
Even the Smithsonian thinks this stuff is important. We visited their Memphis Rock & Soul Museum last year
It's either Beale Street or a neon convention
Man ....... THIS is what it's all about!!The Lorraine Motel, scene of the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has become, with significant additions, the National Civil Rights Museum. Dr. King was in Memphis in support of the Sanitation Workers strike and, was gunned down by James Earl Ray at the motel. To this day, controversy surrounds Ray as to whether he acted alone or not. This museum is a “must see” for anyone visiting Memphis. Very powerful!
The Stax Records Museum outlines the history of the first integrated R&B record label and, their numerous recording stars. Together with Sun Records, they made Memphis the centre of Blues and R&B music recording. There are amazing parallels between the growing civil rights movement and the acceptance, by mainstream America, of “black music” in fact, the death of Martin Luther King also became the death knell for the “black recording industry” in Memphis. By 1975 Stax Records was out of business. But, the music lives on!
We flew to Memphis, which is not exactly on the way to Salt Lake City but, what the hell, you only turn 60 once and, I wanted to return after spending a few days here last year. Brenda thoughtfully agreed. We’re actually getting quite good at NOT using the RV on our RV trip. (I think Brenda secretly likes the Blues as much as I do). The same acts are playing the same clubs on Beale Street so, life is good.
When you consider that Memphis is the most dangerous city in North America, measured by crime per capita, we have found it to be very friendly. When we were walking down a back street, looking very “touristy”, seeking an alley down which is to be found the best BBQ restaurant in town, a parking lot attendant saw us coming ½ block away, stood up, and pointed down the alley. He knew where we were going! Not so scary!!
This city has many areas much like Detroit, with skeletal buildings and slum accommodations however, there is a vibe to the place that even the cab drivers seem to sense. Much investment is being made in refurbishing entire neighbourhoods and, although the downtown has a way to go, pedestrian malls and antique trolleys are being employed to bring the people back. I definitely want to return in 5 – 10 years. Maybe NOW is the time to invest in real estate……….. hmmmmm ………. possibly a nice little blues club!
The Stax Records Museum outlines the history of the first integrated R&B record label and, their numerous recording stars. Together with Sun Records, they made Memphis the centre of Blues and R&B music recording. There are amazing parallels between the growing civil rights movement and the acceptance, by mainstream America, of “black music” in fact, the death of Martin Luther King also became the death knell for the “black recording industry” in Memphis. By 1975 Stax Records was out of business. But, the music lives on!
We flew to Memphis, which is not exactly on the way to Salt Lake City but, what the hell, you only turn 60 once and, I wanted to return after spending a few days here last year. Brenda thoughtfully agreed. We’re actually getting quite good at NOT using the RV on our RV trip. (I think Brenda secretly likes the Blues as much as I do). The same acts are playing the same clubs on Beale Street so, life is good.
When you consider that Memphis is the most dangerous city in North America, measured by crime per capita, we have found it to be very friendly. When we were walking down a back street, looking very “touristy”, seeking an alley down which is to be found the best BBQ restaurant in town, a parking lot attendant saw us coming ½ block away, stood up, and pointed down the alley. He knew where we were going! Not so scary!!
This city has many areas much like Detroit, with skeletal buildings and slum accommodations however, there is a vibe to the place that even the cab drivers seem to sense. Much investment is being made in refurbishing entire neighbourhoods and, although the downtown has a way to go, pedestrian malls and antique trolleys are being employed to bring the people back. I definitely want to return in 5 – 10 years. Maybe NOW is the time to invest in real estate……….. hmmmmm ………. possibly a nice little blues club!
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