City Guide:
Have you ever heard of the ''Memphis Mafia''?
No doubt you have, as it was the name given a group of friends who gathered around "The King" – Elvis Presley – an iconic figure on the rock 'n roll music scene. This group of ''homeboys'', set up in the shadow of the King's glory and enjoyed success of their own on the back of his celebrity.
Just imagine that you can visit a city that saw the first tears of joy wetting the face of Elvis Presley on his way toward undisputed leadership in rock 'n roll…and witnessed his eventual demise.
With Booked.net you can find a hotel for your stay in Memphis. From cheap hotels in Memphis to those abundant with luxuries we have them all with maps, photos and secure forms at Booked.net.
Thanks to his friends, Elvis was encouraged to release an album ''From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee'', the fourth one to reach number one in the charts of popular magazine – ''Billboard''. All songs were recorded live at a studio set up in singer's mansion in Memphis - Graceland. No surprise that this is a second to none attraction for tourists in Memphis. Other attractions include;
- Beale Street is a home to the Blues with dozens of bars and clubs
- Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, a location for history of music in Memphis
However, Elvis Presley was the last, but not the only king in Memphis. In the 1840s, the city was booming with “white gold” prosperity, thus ''King Cotton'' was first crowned in Memphis. By 1850, Memphis became the largest cotton market in the world with a slavery based industry. Memphis’ location along the Mississippi River was a guarantee for its early success, but it also contributed to its first failure issued into yellow fever epidemic of 1873 that developed because of bad sanitary conditions.
The escape from this came with the rule of E.H. Crump whose legacy is felt for many even today. On his initiative, came to life legendary Beale Street – a real smorgasbord of wicked diversions. But it is noted today not for its ill repute, but as the first place in the world to hear blues played in the bars lining this street.
Today to visit Beale Street you find is a place filled with bars, restaurants and shops. Please note that Memphis also broke new ground on the world shopping scene.
Nowadays when supermarkets are a part of day-to-day life we forget this idea first occurred in Memphis. In 1916 Clarence Saunders opened ''Piggly Wiggly'' - the first self-serve store and seven years after more than 2,600 Piggly Wiggly stores sprang across the country. Consequently, Saunders became a millionaire.
Memphis is a home to new ideas whether you are about rock'n roll, blues or supermarkets. Try your luck there in Memphis – a destination of dreams, Booked.net can assist you to stay there in just a click.
