Monday, October 27, 2014

Memphis, Tennessee: Beale Street

It's fair to say you can have a good time on Beale Street.

Back when Memphis was segregated, this essentially was the Main Street of Black Memphis. It was the home for local music, as artists such as W.C. Handy, Elvis Presley and B.B. King learned their craft there.

It's a different era now ... and everyone apparently hangs out here. The music is still around, and the food is mighty good. That has helped make it one of America's most iconic streets.

You can see the best of Memphis' musicians honored on the sidewalk with "notes" done in the style of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It's called "The Brass Note Walk of Fame." We stumbled on Sam and Dave, for starters.

Hardy's house is still intact and available for touring at the end of the district. A. Schwab's is a classic general store, with a variety of odd goods and some displays on the history of the area. King and Jerry Lee Lewis have restaurants; you can see a couple of King's guitars (called "Lucille" when in use) on the wall. Silky O'Sullivans has goats to keep you company during food and drink.

This is only a couple of blocks from the FedEx Forum. It's a fun stop, day or night.



 

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