Where’s FourWallsdo?: Memphis

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This month as I travel you’re going to be, ahem, “entertained” with not only the stories of my travels but songs related to where I am or have been! You poor folks. These won’t be in “top ten” order because I’m making it up as I go along. This was inspired by that discussion I posted the other day about songs dealing with geographic locations. Off we go! Memphis - Johnny Rivers This has pretty much been covered by everyone who had a guitar in the 60s. You doubt me? Well-known versions included Lonnie Mack, Elvis, and Buck Owens????? Yeah, the guy who said he’d never sing a song that wasn’t a country song covered this. (Of course, when he got done with it, it WAS country. ) Written and first performed by rock and roll’s daddy, the version I first heard, believe it or not, was NOT the Buck Owens version but Johnny Rivers’ rendition. He had been recorded live (you can hear the audience…not as badly as on Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up,” but they’re still quite noisy) for an album. Rivers’ version was the highest-charting rendition, peaking at #2 on the pop charts. I didn’t spend a lot of time in Memphis yesterday, just having lunch, going to the credit union (those “shared branches” are amazing!), and passing through, but I’ve had some great times there. Memphis Written by Chuck Berry Recorded by Johnny Rivers From At the Whisky à Go-Go, 1964 Marie is only six years old: