Memphis Pt 1

Memphis is a very different city to Nashville and is probably best know as the home of " The King".   However it is also known for the famous Beale Street which houses a number of intersting eating establishments and a great selection of southern blues music.  



Below is the King's Palace restaurant of BB King fame, where we enjoyed a great bowl of gumbo while enjoying very good jazz music.

    

We visited Gracelands while in town which provides a "snapshot"of how Elvis Presley lived.  The Gracelands masion was already named when it was purchased by Elvis and part of the condition of sale was that the name was to remain. 

Below is just one example of the many accolades he achieved over his career and the outfits he wore when on stage. 

Initially Elvis was buried in a local cementary however after several attempts to body snatch his remains his final resting place was moved to Gracelands along with his brother, mother, father and grandmother.

Back to Beale Street which houses one of the the oldest general stores in the country  named Schwab's which is famous for being able to supply everything the buyer may desire.  If they do not have what is required they say that it must not be important.  It truly is an amazing store.

Memphis also is the home of one of the three Gibson Guitar Factories in the USA and the tour we undertook was very informative.  It really is amazing that these instruments are so inexpensive to buy as the process is very labour intensive.  The factory completes 60 to 80 instruments over an 8 hour day.

More to follow about our visit to this city.

Best wishes to all, R&B