Memphis Music Tour

Memphis is where the Mississippi River meets the Deep South. The city has a rich musical history, full of blues, rockabilly, gospel, and rock and roll. And the landmarks of this history are yours to enjoy. If you like, you can get in the proper mood with a song.

WDIA went on the air in Memphis in 1947. By 1949, it became the first US radio station to be programmed by and for African-Americans. Former deejays include Rufus Thomas and B.B. King, and Carla Thomas and Isaac Hayes performed live on the air. You can see it on Union Avenue.

Beale Street is the home of The Blues in Memphis. Between the statue of W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues on one end and the statue of Elvis on the other end, Beale Street is crammed with music clubs such as B.B. King's original Blues Club, and street musicians busking for tourist dollars.

More Memphis music landmarks, after the jump.

Stax Records and the subsidiary Volt Records produced the sound that became known as Memphis Soul for nationwide consumption. Rufus and Carla Thomas were their earliest stars, followed by Booker T. and the M.G.s (which stands for Memphis Group), Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and The Staple Singers. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is located in the Soulsville neighborhood where Stax Records once stood, along with Willie Mitchell's Royal Studios and Aretha Franklin's birthplace. The museum also runs the Stax Music Academy and charter school.

You'll be welcomed for Sunday services at the Full Gospel Tabernacle. Join in the joyous gospel music with rev. Al Green. Yes, that Al Green. The church is at 787 Hale Road; services are at 11:30AM and 4PM.

Sun Studio is often referred to as the birthplace of Rock and Roll. Founded in 1950, Sun recorded blues artists such as Howlin' Wolf, but switched gears after Ike Turner's song "Rocket 88" introduced the sound of rock and roll. 18-year-old Elvis Presley made his first recording there in 1953. Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash all recorded with Sun in the 50s.

After Elvis made a name for himself, he bought a mansion in 1957 and named it Graceland. He lived there with his parents and later his wife Pricilla, and died there in 1977. Elvis and his parents are buried at Graceland. Now, 600,000 fans visit the mansion every year! If you don't want to deal with the crowds, you can take a virtual tour online.

But Memphis is much more than music. Wednesday, we'll take a look at the many other world-famous Memphis landmarks.