Music from the Delta
The story begins in the rural Mississippi Delta, with daily life in the fields, segregation, faith and the music of sharecroppers. Blues, country and gospel were the roots of what came next.
Coming to Memphis
As families left the countryside, people and musical styles met in Memphis, and the music crossed the colour line. Beale Street was at the heart of the city’s music in the 1940s, and radio carried it further.
Sun, Stax and soul
In July 1954 Sam Phillips recorded Elvis Presley at Sun Records, part of the launch of rock ’n’ roll. In the 1960s and 1970s Stax and Hi Records made Memphis a home of soul music, a voice for African-American identity and pride during the civil rights era.



