Memphis Tennessee - August 2012

Some of the main reasons to visit Memphis are to tour the music scene in 'Beale Street', and to visit the 'Civil Rights' museum formally the 'Lorraine Hotel'; and the place where 'Martin Luther King' was murdered.

 

Beale Street is located in downtown Memphis, and runs from the Mississippi River to East Street. It is has significant location in the city's history, as well as in the history of the blues. The blues clubs and restaurants that line Beale Street are major attraction in Memphis.

 

Our first stop was 'Silky O'Sullivan's - The building was once a Bar and gambling saloon with as many as 14 Bar Tenders working at any one time. It was constructed around 100 years ago.



Silky O'Sullivan's famous Irish Bar on Beale Street

 

 

The 'Blues Hall Juke Joint' is a great place to visit. They as their name suggests play Blues. The Drinks were a reasonable price, the music just great, and the ambiance amasing. The building looks like it was once a home to a past family, with the wall paper peeling and paint work flaking, it also has a host of memorabilia around the walls. This all adds to the experience. I would definitely recommend this as a place to visit to any music fan.

 

 

The 'Rendezvous Resturant' is owned by Charles Vergos. Charles started his restaurant business in the basement of the building in 1948 using a Coal Chute to grill his meats. It is now world famous.

 

In the past it was visited by the famous band 'The Rolling Stones', and it was reported that they were refused access due to their attire not being suitable. It seems they went back to their hotel and changed clothes and on returning they were permitted access. We checked the story with our waiter who confirmed this as true. He also advised that the 'Stones' always visit when they return to the USA.

 

The BBQ ribs were spectacular, definitely a place to visit when in Memphis.

We took a short walk of around 8 blocks to the 'Lorraine Hotel'. This was the site where the famous civil rights activist 'Martin Luther King' was murdered when leaving his hotel room (Number 306) on April 4th 1968. Today the Hotel is a 'Civil Rights Museum'. You need at least 2 hours to make the tour.

This was a real moving experience, and definitely a place I will remember for a very long time.

Below are numerous pictures taken inside the museum.

Balcony outside room 306 where Martin Luther King was murdered.

Klu Klux Klan Outfit





Original Signage that shows the segregation that took place



 

Outside the Musical Museum. This is one place I did not feel was value as a tourist spot

Well you can guess what is on the menu...... Beef!!!!!

Bass-Pro in a Pyramid - What ever next!!!

It was the 35th anniversary of 'Elvis Presley's' death while we were in Memphis, and many bars had signs saying he was visiting. Despite returning to many of these bars to see Elvis, it took 11/2 days before we managed to catch up with him.

One bar was hosting an Elvis day but wanted an entrance fee of $25 each. Of course this was too much so we went to a blues bar. After a few hours we returned to find the door attendant not there so we went straight in. I have to confirm all the rumours that...... Elvis is not dead, he was cloned into many Elvis's all of which performed for our entertainment.