As the home of blues, soul, and rock’n’roll, Memphis, Tennessee, is renowned for its long list of famous musicians and songwriters. One hundred years ago this September, B.B. King, who became known as ‘The Beale Street Blues Boy’, was born, and to commemorate the late King, the city of Memphis is putting on a big show to honour his memory. In the lead-up to the 100th birthday on September 16, Memphis Tourism, in partnership with B.B. King’s Blues Club, has launched a 100 Days of Blues countdown, and it’s not just 100 days of celebration – it’s 100 more reasons to put Memphis on your travel list.
From now until B.B. King’s birthday, visitors will have the opportunity to dive deep into the musical legacy of the late artist and discover what made him one of the most talented musicians to hail from Memphis. As the city transforms into its very own blues fest, local businesses have joined the celebrations with some key events and activities, including:
● 100 Days of Brews: Join City Brew Tours for a fun-filled brewery tour called 100 Days of Brews, where you can discover the best local beers at the many craft breweries in Memphis.
● Music Bus Tour: Enjoy an exciting introduction to Memphis’ key attractions with the only music bus tour in the city, with Backbeat Tours on their daily Memphis Mojo Tour. During this 90-minute tour, you’ll see some of the most important music establishments in Memphis, such as Sun Studio, Stax Studio, and the early homes of Elvis, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash, to name a few.
● Free park concerts: Grab a picnic blanket, cooler and your favourite BBQ takeaway and enjoy the free concerts in the Overton Park Shell with the Orion Financial Free Concert Series with two-time Grammy Winner Bobby Rush.
● B.B. King concert on Beale Street: The highlight of the festivities is the 100th Birthday free outdoor concert on Beale Street in front of the B.B. King Blues Bar. Performing at this all-ages music festival are well-known artists such as MonoNeon (who performed at the Melbourne Jazz Fest in 2022), Corey Lou & DaVillage Band, Rodd Bland, and Mr. Sipp, to name a few. Family-friendly fun includes the synchronised marching band Grizzline Drumline, the Beale Street Flippers, face painting, balloon twisting, and glitter tattoos.
● Exclusive B.B. King Dinner Event: A ticketed event will take place on the 16th of September inside the B.B. King Blues Bar, where guests will enjoy dinner and an unforgettable show featuring performances by Robert Cray, Carla Thomas, and B.B. King’s daughter, Shirley King.
● Explore B.B. King’s Memphis, 3-day itinerary: There’s no better way to honour B.B. King’s legacy than to explore the places where his music and story live, proving that, unlike the name of his Grammy-winning recording, the thrill is not gone. Follow this three-day itinerary to walk in the footsteps of the King of Blues and soak up the vibrant Memphis music scene he helped shape.
● Graceland paying homage to B.B. King: As friends who made Memphis their home and creative centre, Elvis Presley’s Graceland pays tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s pal with the limited-time addition of B.B. King’s famed Lucille guitar as part of the ICONS exhibit at Elvis Presley’s Memphis visitor complex.
● Multiple bars and restaurants around the city are hosting weekly blues nights, featuring live music by local artists paying homage to B.B. King.
Additional events surrounding the birthday will be added to the Memphis website over the next few months.
B.B. King began his career as a disc jockey for WDIA in Memphis, and his career blossomed from playing clubs on Beale Street, which led him to record his first few records at Sun Studio. With a career spanning more than five decades, he left his mark on artists across the globe. Memphis’ own Elvis Presley often spoke of his admiration for The King of Blues, while the city’s current vanguard of musicians, including MonoNeon and the Sensational Barnes Brothers, have shared the power of performing at B.B. King’s Beale Street Blues Club.
While the 100 Days of Blues marks a formal celebration of B.B. King, his legacy and live music can be experienced year-round in Memphis. Some of the key activities to learn more about the artist’s life and how it ties in with the history of Memphis include:
● Trace the history of blues music to today at the Blues Hall of Fame, with exhibits featuring King, the artists who inspired him, and those he inspired.
● Discover the intersection of the Civil Rights Movement and King’s music at the National Civil Rights Museum.
● Browse the Memphis Music Hall of Fame’s robust collection of memorabilia and Memphis music history.
● Savour authentic Memphis barbecue and enjoy live music every single night at B.B. King’s Blues Club, an homage to its namesake.
● Don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the vibrant B.B. King Mural, located off Lamar Ave.
For a full rundown of events associated with the 100 Days of Blues celebration leading up to B.B. King’s 100th birthday, please visit memphistravel.com/100daysofblues
Explore more of Memphis here: https://www.memphistravel.com/
To request images, please sign up for the Memphis Tourism image library here: https://memphistourism.barberstock.com/
Memphis quick facts
Tennessee’s second-largest city, the vibrant city of Memphis is famous for its music, great food (and we’re not just talking the amazing BBQ), and its significant place in America’s history of civil rights. Exceptional hotels, and something to please every type of traveller await in Memphis.
Australians can travel to Memphis via:
United Airlines: Sydney – Houston – Memphis (or from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne via LAX or SFO
American Airlines (and Qantas codeshare): Sydney – LAX – Dallas Fort Worth – Memphis;
Melbourne/Sydney – Dallas Fort Worth – Memphis
Brisbane – Dallas Fort Worth – Memphis (October – March seasonal route)
Delta Airlines: Sydney – LAX – Minneapolis – Memphis
Air New Zealand: via AKL – Houston – Memphis
