There are some parts of the world, be they towns, cities or countries, which are synonymous with one particular thing. It may be a profession, a food item or perhaps a sport, but there are others which are synonymous with a genre of music. In the USA, the blues is primarily associated with the Deep South, and for many aficionados the city of Memphis in Tennessee is where the true blues heart really beats.
Visitors to this stunning city have a huge range of options when the time comes to do a little sightseeing. There are so many iconic landmarks just waiting to be discovered, and the region has a pleasingly slow pace of life. In Memphis, the journey is just as important as the arrival, so make sure you act like the locals and leave your tensions back home when you first head to Tennessee.
Perhaps the most famous Memphis landmark of them all is Graceland, the former home of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley. Recent statistics revealed that Graceland is the second-most visited home in the whole of the US (the first is the White House). Packed with Elvis memorabilia including cars, motorcycles and airplanes, it provides a fascinating insight into a side of ‘The King’ that most people never got the chance to see. For serious fans, Elvis Week, which is held in August every year, has become something of a pilgrimage.
Valuable studio time
If it hadn’t been for the studios of Sun Records, the chances are we would never have heard of Elvis Presley. The legendary studio was used by many of the biggest names in rock and roll, including Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. These days, guided tours are a must for Memphis visitors who want to find out a little more about the golden age of recording.
Just under two miles long, Beale Street is a thriving entertainment district that has become something of a magnet for tourists from all over the world. The street is home to a large number of live music venues, offering a cross-section of genres but understandably featuring the blues most of all, and a great choice of restaurants.
And speaking of food, why not try some of the local Tennessee cuisine instead of the usual main street offerings? There are so many home cooking specialities that are on offer, such as cornmeal-coated deep-fried catfish, beef stew and browned chicken with bacon. And on a warm afternoon, try a locally-prepared salad - it’s delicious.
David Showell lives in the UK and has visited the US on several occasions. He works for an Israel car rental website.
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