MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Blues originated in the Mississippi Delta, but Memphis was the place those artists came to make a name for themselves.
And many of those names are displayed inside this new Hall of Fame right here in the Historic South Main corridor.
Inside WREG met Little Junior Parker’s Brother-in-law, Ed Cox.
“The blues is a medication for a done-gone-wrong situation,” he told us.
That medication is here to stay thanks to the grand opening of the Blues Hall of Fame.
While the music stemmed from sadness and struggle, this was a very happy place for these Hall of Famers and their families.
Cox came down from Nashville to celebrate the opening with his family.
His brother-in-law was inducted in 2001 and the family donated Parker’s harmonica to be housed right here in Memphis.
Organizers said The Bluff City played a key role in launching the careers of many musicians here who came back for the grand opening.
“They came to Memphis, to the big city, to get their careers started,” Curator Nora Tucker explained.
The induction ceremonies have always happened here in Memphis, but now she said they finally had a home to put all of this history and music on display.
Some of the pieces came from as far away as Australia.
One of Tucker’s favorites is Howlin’ Wolf’s suitcase donated by his family.
Here’s why.
“It’s not an instrument or a costume, but it’s something he carried with him when he went to play. Now we have it in the Hall of Fame,” she said.
And folks like Cox said they were so thankful they have a place to come to remember the greats.
The museum is expected to be a money maker for the city.
The National Civil Rights Museum, housed just across the street, attracts a quarter of a million people each year.
They hope a few of them will stop by here as well.
The museum, located at 421 South Main, is open 10a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $10.