Beale Street, Memphis Tennessee: The Birthplace Of Blues

The music and entertainment rhythm of downtown Memphis, Beale Street at the turn of the 20th century served as a safe haven for African Americans migrating from small towns. Legends such as W.C. Handy, B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, Willie Mitchell and Isaac Hayes have once showcased their talents on Beale Street. Beale Street offers three blocks of elaborate neon signs advertising blues and jazz clubs, specialty shops, galleries and restaurants. For over 150 years, Beale Street has hosted blues music and entertainment. Beale played a central role in naming Memphis as one of the most musically rich cities in the world, and was well-known in hosting some of the first black business owners in the south. In between, the street was host to the birth of blues music, the civil rights movement, rock 'n’ roll, racks of ribs and bands. Beale Street takes a party atmosphere as only the blues can provide, colliding an intense Memphis soul with dozens of different styles, takes and interpretations of hundreds of artist’s blues music and dedication. Many music lovers and great musicians that came in the 100 years before, provided a trademarked sense of history to the legendary street.