BB King's Blues Club and Beale Street, Memphis, TN

"Walking with my feet 10 feet off of Beale, walking in Memphis, do I really feel the way I feel?"

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I love Memphis! It's my favorite place to go back and visit! Even though I am not a Tennessee native, I can't help but feel at home every time I go back.

Beale street is located in downtown Memphis and runs 1.8 miles from the Mississippi River to East Street. This is a significant part of the city's history and landscape as well as in music history. Beale Street is a major tourist attraction for any visitors that are looking for good music, good food, and good drinks!!

From 1920 to the 1940s, musicians like Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Memphis Minnie, BB King, Rufus Thomas, and Rosco Gordon played on Beale Street and helped create the musical style now known as the Memphis Blues. 

However, during the 1960s, Beale Street started to become rundown and many business on the street closed. In May of 1966, Beale Street became a National Historic Landmark. In December of 1977, it was officially delclared "Home of the Blues."

Today, during the first week of May, the Beale Street Music Festival brings a variety of different acts to this famous street. It has become an official kickoff for monthly festivities in the city known as Memphis in May. Located near this downtown area, there is also a Hard Rock Cafe full of Elvis memorabilia, a Coyote Ugly, the Fed Ex Forum where you can catch a Grizzlies game, Gibson Guitar showcase, and as mentioned in a previous post, the world famous Peabody Hotel!

This famous street is lined with many bars, restaurants, shopping, and of course, the original BB King's Blues Club. BB King (1925-2015) open his world famous blues club in Memphis in 1991. Since then, he has opened other locations in Los Angeles, New York City, Orlando, Las Vegas, Nashville, West Palm Beach, and Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.

I posted this post today in honor of Riley B. King. Known by his stage name "B.B. King", he was a revolutionary blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. BB King died on May 14, 2015 in Las Vegas, NV peacefully in his sleep.

A follower of mine on Facebook posted this following statement on one of my photos and I felt that it perfectly summed up BB King:

"One of the Kings favorite quotes. When I eventually drop I pray to God that it'll happen in one of three ways; Firstly on stage or leaving the stage. Secondly in my sleep. And the third way... well you'll have to figure that out for yourself. I had the great pleasure of seeing B.B. King in concert a few times he was not only a fantastic musician but also a great storyteller. RIP B.B. King."

Peabody Ducks, Memphis, Tennessee

If you haven't heard of the Peabody Ducks, you're missing out! If you haven't seen the Peabody Ducks, then you're REALLY missing out! This is one of the most wonderful and unique things that I have EVER seen!!

The Peabody is a grand hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. It's right near Beale Street in Downtown Memphis. This luxurious hotel opened in 1925 and is a landmark in this wonderful city. The hotel is probably more known for it's 5 permanent residents than it is for anything else! There are 5 mallard ducks (1 male, 4 female) that live in the fountain in the lobby! Yes! One of the most glamorous hotels in the United States and there are ducks that live in the lobby.

So, here's the story. Back in 1930, the General Manager at the time, Frank Schutt, had just returned from a hunting trip in Arkansas. He and some friends had a little bit too much to drink and found it funny to leave their ducks in the fountain of the lobby! The next morning, forgetting about putting the ducks in the fountain, guests spotted the ducks and loved the idea thus the Peabody Ducks were born!

In 1940, an employee named Edward Pembroke volunteered to care for the ducks. He became the first "Duckmaster" and held that position until 1991. Everyday at 11AM, the ducks march from their penthouse home on the roof to the elevator, down the elevator, and into the lobby fountain! Then at 5 PM, they repeat the process and head back up to their home! Guests are welcome to view the ceremony and the duckmaster will tell the story of the Peabody Ducks.