Million Dollar Quartet

Currently In: Bull Shoals
Leaving for Branson tomorrow

Johnny and I had both been to Graceland before.  So we decided to take a tour of Sun Studio instead. I learned so much more about Elvis' early years from this tour!

Here is the broadcast booth from WHBQ radio show at the Hotel Chisca in Memphis where DJ Dewey Phillips played the first Elvis record in 1953.  It was all up from there.

There were all kinds of artifacts from the early days of rock and roll.  I thought this cow hide guitar case belonging to Elvis was interesting.

After a quick review of the history of Sam Phillips and building his music business, we went down to the actual recording studio.  The floor is still marked where Elvis stood to make his first recordings.

Graham, our tour guide, told lots of stories.  And he was a good musician, too!

A famous photo of the  Million Dollar Quartet hangs on the wall in the studio.  Johnny Cash, Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis right here at Sun Studio.

Many artists have recorded in this studio and then they leave a gift.
These drums were left by U2.

This was Jerry Lee Lewis' piano.

Sam Phillips made sure the mic used by all the artists was not put behind a case so everyone can enjoy it.

He ain't nothin' but a hound dog!

After this experience we couldn't resist a drive to Graceland.  Not a tour, just a peek.
And the brick wall in front of the property where fans put their signatures.

Since it was such a nice day, we took a look at the other end of Mud Island where there is a River Park.

We walked along the Riverwalk - an exact scale model of the Lower Mississippi River.  It was designed by the Corps of Engineers and it about 5 city blocks long.    It has geographical and historical markers along the way. My photo doesn't do the magnificence of this attraction any justice at all.

The Riverwalk also has scaled representations of 20 cities along the Lower Mississippi. This is New Orleans.  The whole thing was very impressive.

Later in the day, we went back to Beale Street and the same music venue we had been to the previous day since it was so fun.  It was in full swing.

There was great people watching, too.

When we were in Hot Springs, we met a fun family from Memphis.  We called them during our visit to their city.  We met them on Beale Street at Silky Sullivan's and enjoyed The Diver. With 8 straws.

Johnny, Andy and Jake.

This is CJ, me and Mindy.
These people were so great - just an instant connection.  We hope to see them sometime in Chicagoland!

Home of the Blues

We are in Bull Shoals, AR
Then a couple of spots in Missouri on our way to Illinois

Another nickname for Memphis!

On this sunny day we took a drive over to Mud Island  - we saw it from the top of the Pyramid the previous day.  Such a pretty neighborhood!

We drove around for a bit and discovered alleys for each street.

Here's the front of those houses.

This part of the island was definitely upscale -

The park runs right along the Mississippi and provides a great view from the homes and a nice walk for us.

Here is a view of the DeSoto Bridge from the park.

The river is definitely high as many trees are sitting in water.

After our walk, the timing worked out so we could check out the historic Peabody Hotel.

Although the original hotel dates back to 1869, the current one was built in 1925 and is called the "South's Grand Hotel".

Of course the hotel is known for the 5 Mallard ducks that live on the roof but make their way to the lobby fountain each day known as the "March of the Ducks".

There are several plaques on the sidewalk outside of the hotel describing its history. This one describing alligators in the fountain as well as WWII soldiers sleeping in the lobby was interesting.

The fountain is in this beautiful lobby bar.  It reminds me of the Palmer House in Chicago that I spent so much time in during my working days.

The Duckmaster and the kids are ready!

Are the ducks?

There they go!  All the way to the elevator that will take them home for the night.

After all that excitement it was time for dinner.  Johnny had been to the Rendezvous 20 years ago, so we checked it out.

Ahhh.  Just like old times.

Lee was our waiter.

This is where the magic happens!  Love those "Memphis Style" dry rub ribs!

Lastly, we took our first run at Beale Street.

We followed the music.  "The Thrill is Gone" was playing in this outdoor venue.

There was a movie being filmed on Beale Street that night.  We think this building front was part of it.

A few historic sites:  W. C. Handy - Father of the Blues.

There were dozens of these memorials in the sidewalk honoring blues musicians.

We have had a "thing" with Johnny Cash and the numerous times we heard his music while on our RV adventure.  It was fun to see this guitar (part of an art installation like the Chicago cows) on Beale Street.

Can't wait to come back!