We explored a little more of Memphis today but my opinion hasn't changed. Yesterday, we purchased 'Hop On - Hop off' Bus tickets for the exorbitant price of $22. This morning we walked down to the city's Welcome Place where the bus is supposed to pick up every hour. Well 10 o'clock came and went, without a bus. After 20 minutes, Kathy went in to see the 'Welcome' people who phoned the bus company. They promised to send a bus which eventually arrived another 20 minutes later.
First stop for us this morning was Sun Studio where a lot of Rock Stars recorded their songs, including Elvis, Johnny Cash and many more.
The front Room of Sun Studio |
Sun Studio was opened in 1950 by rock pioneer Sam Philips. During the next few years, he recorded many artists such as Rocket 88, Howlin' Wolf, BB King, James Cotton Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Radio WDIA in Memphis was one of the first stations to play Sam's recording. When the building of the radio station was being demolished, Sun Studio went in and salvaged the radio studio which is now proudly displayed in Sun Studio.
The studio of Radio WDIA |
The microphone which recorded all the greats including Elvis and Roy Otbison |
It then explained the struggle they had to be able to get educated and later get the vote. Unbelievable.
The Lorraine Motel. The wreath shows where Martin Luther King was murdered |
The Lorraine Motel, now site of the Civil Rights Museum |
It was getting past lunch time so we decided to dodge the beggars in Beale Street and check out one of their restaurants. I had a burger with a dark Irish beer and it was wonderful.
My lunch |
Lunch at Silky's to the sounds of a live blues band |
Tomorrow we're boarding the American Queen for New Orleans.
Once you get a taste for a microphone.....
ReplyDeleteWhile it isn't something you can be always bothered with when travelling, it really sounds like you should have asked for you hop on/off bus fare back. It is very expensive.
I wrote an email to the Memphis Tourist Bureau. I've come to the conclusion they USA is a rip-off country.
DeleteI hope your experience on the riverboat is better than what you've had in Memphis. The bus situation is inexcusable.
ReplyDeleteSorry you all had such a bad experience in Memphis. As I have said, Memphis is not our favorite city in Tennessee... They do have LOTS of problems there. So sorry that you had a bad experience though.
ReplyDeleteHope your boat ride is MUCH MUCH better... Keep us posted since that is something I might enjoy doing sometime....
Hugs,
Betsy