The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
A Listening Experience with History, Memorabilia, and much more
By Kayla Turo
Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, at the corner of world famous Beale Street and Highway 61, aka “The Blues Highway,” the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum celebrates Memphis and the Delta as the “roots of American music”—from field hollers and work songs to the blues, country, and gospel that eventually collided and fused with urban blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, and soul music. The museum also tells the story of musical pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create music that shook the world.
Originally devised by the National Museum of American History in 1996 as a traveling exhibit about American music to commemorate the Smithsonian Institute’s 150th anniversary, the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum was adopted by a group of Memphians when the traveling exhibit’s funding did not come through.
These visionaries raised the necessary dollars to complete the research, acquire pertinent objects and artifacts, and construct the museum. In 2004, the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum opened in the FedExForum, a Memphis entertainment and sports venue. Since then, the museum has welcomed more than 350,000 visitors from all over the world.
A video presentation sets the tone for the museum’s five exhibits that show the chronological path that rock ‘n’ roll and soul music took through Memphis, breaking the barriers between the music of the black and white populations. The music grew out of the diversely populated “front porch” rural areas that surround Memphis. Country music influences combined with neighboring Nashville sounds and Bible Belt gospel, which landed in the center of the city and the hearts of the world.
Visitors can listen to decades of rock ‘n’ roll and soul music through the use of five jukeboxes that coincide with the exhibits. “Everyone can listen to the progression of the music,” says John Doyle, executive director of the museum. “They can hear Bill Monroe sing ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky,’ followed by Elvis singing ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky,’ and hear how country music was developing into rock ‘n’ roll. They will hear early ‘Hound Dog’ sung by Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, that led into ‘Hound Dog’ sung by Elvis Presley, and see the evolution of blues music into rock ‘n’ roll and soul music.”
Unlike traditional museums that create written displays to go along with artwork and exhibits, the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum began with the story of the history of rock ‘n’ roll and soul music compiled by the Smithsonian. The collection of the memorabilia on display was gathered from local musicians and other museums that came together to create the exhibits. Today, visitors can look upon items such as Elvis Presley’s jumpsuits, costumes and instruments of other famous musicians, and even a diamond and emerald encrusted wristwatch resembling a grand piano that was designed by Isaac Hayes.
Museum admission is $11 for adults and $8 for youth aged five to 17. The exhibits and gift shop are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For a good choice of hotels with discount prices, visit Hotel in Memphis for more information.
Photos: Murray Riss
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