Day 5--The Memphis Blues

Memphis, Tennessee is known for its blues houses along Beale Street. But did you know it is also famous for the Ducks at the Peabody Hotel, the Smithsonian Rock and Soul Museum, the Gibson guitar factory and museum and the National Civil Rights Museum. It is also infamous for the place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down in April of 1968. So we had a lot to see while visiting Memphis AND a lot of BBQ to try before we left.

June 22nd was another bright sunny and humid day. We started out heading over to the National Civil Rights Museum but found it closed so our plans changed and we drove over to the Rock and Soul Museum which is a Smithsonian museum. It was fabulous. It covered, as its name implies, the history of soul and rock music from their beginning through to the Beatles in the late 60's. It is a fabulous collection of costumes, instruments, recordings, and endless memorabilia. Anyone interested in the popular music of that era will love this place.

A couple of times a day the stately old Peabody Hotel downtown is the gathering place for dozens of people who come to watch an event that has been going on everyday since 1933. Originally meant as a practical joke the event caught on and has been a daily event ever since. We stopped by just in time to watch the elevator doors slide open and four ducks waddle up a red carpet and hop into the beautiful fountain in the center of the hotel lobby.

Our lunch that day was at the famous Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous. This rib joint has been operating in Memphis out of a back alley since 1948 and the rich and famous along with the rest of us have been flocking to the place ever since. Their dry rub ribs absolutely melt in your mouth. We got there before the whole menu was even available, but all that mattered was that the ribs were, and that's what we ordered. A vinegar-based sauce was available as was a hotter sauce if you wanted it but these ribs are all about the dry rub method used to BBQ them. People argue about which method and which part of the country makes the best ribs, whether they need sauce or no sauce, dry rub or wet, but in the end, its all good. Charlie knows his ribs and this is a great place to go to get some of the best. The restaurant is in a cozy downstairs location. The busy decor will keep you busy while waiting for your food. Autographed photos of just about anyone you can name adorn the walls as does a variety of other memorabilia. Definitely, GO to Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous when in Memphis.

We walked over to Beale Street because we wanted to have a chance to hear some music and we weren't disappointed when we walked into B.B. King's Blues Club. We were seated at a bar that was front row for a set with Blind Mississippi Morris, one of the greatest harp (harmonica) players in the world. No cover charge and a front row seat. An awesome way to end the day.

Next Up--The National Civil Rights Museum and Nashville, TN