When it comes to music, few cities can boast a legacy as rich and diverse as Memphis, Tennessee. From blues and rock to soul and gospel, Memphis has been home to some of the most influential musicians in history. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best singers from Memphis.
We’ll explore their unique styles, iconic songs, and lasting impact on the music industry. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock, R&B, or country, you’ll discover something new and inspiring in this tribute to the musical legends of Memphis. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to be transported to the birthplace of some of the greatest music ever made.
Early Memphis Singers
Memphis has a rich musical history, with many talented singers hailing from the city. In this section, we will explore some of the earliest Memphis singers who helped shape the city’s musical landscape.
1. W.C. Handy
W.C. Handy, also known as the “Father of the Blues,” was a composer and musician who was born in Florence, Alabama, but spent much of his career in Memphis. He is credited with popularizing the blues and helping to bring it to a wider audience. Handy’s most famous composition is “St. Louis Blues,” which has been covered by countless artists over the years.
In addition to his musical career, Handy was also a teacher and music publisher, and he played an important role in the development of the blues as a genre. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980.
2. Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but she had strong ties to Memphis, Tennessee, throughout her career. Smith was a singer who is often referred to as the “Empress of the Blues.”
She recorded many of her most famous songs, including “Downhearted Blues” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” at Columbia Records in Memphis. Smith had a significant impact on the Memphis music scene and helped to shape the sound of blues music in the 1920s and 1930s.
Today, she is considered one of the greatest blues musicians of all time and is celebrated for her powerful voice and emotional performances.
3. Memphis Minnie
Memphis Minnie, whose real name was Lizzie Douglas, was born in Algiers, Louisiana, but she moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1920s and became a major figure in the city’s blues scene.
Minnie was a singer, guitarist, and songwriter who recorded many of her most famous songs, including “When the Levee Breaks” and “Me and My Chauffeur Blues,” in Memphis.
She had a significant impact on the Memphis music scene and helped to shape the sound of blues music in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, Minnie is considered one of the greatest blues musicians of all time and is celebrated for her powerful voice and innovative guitar playing.
Soul and R&B Legends
4. Al Green
Al Green was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, but he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1960s and became a major figure in the city’s music scene.
Green recorded many of his most famous songs, including “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness,” at Hi Records in Memphis, which was one of the most influential soul music labels of the era.
Green had a significant impact on the Memphis music scene and helped to shape the sound of soul music in the 1970s. Today, Green is still active in the Memphis music scene and is considered one of the greatest soul singers of all time.
5. Otis Redding
Otis Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia, but he had strong ties to Memphis, Tennessee, throughout his career. Redding recorded many of his most famous songs, including “Try a Little Tenderness” and “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” at Stax Records in Memphis, which was one of the most influential soul music labels of the era.
Redding had a significant impact on the Memphis music scene and helped to shape the sound of soul music in the 1960s. Tragically, Redding died in a plane crash near Madison, Wisconsin, in 1967, but his music continues to be celebrated and influential to this day.
6. Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes was born in Covington, Tennessee, which is located just outside of Memphis. He moved to Memphis in the 1960s and became a major figure in the city’s music scene.
Hayes was a singer, songwriter, and producer who helped to shape the sound of soul music in the 1960s and 1970s. He recorded some of his most famous songs, including “Theme from Shaft,” at Stax Records in Memphis, which was one of the most influential soul music labels of the era.
Hayes had a significant impact on the Memphis music scene and helped to put the city on the map as a hub for talented musicians and artists.
Country and Rock Icons
Memphis has produced some of the most iconic country and rock musicians in history. Here are three of the most notable:
7. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash was not originally from Memphis, but he had strong ties to the city throughout his career. Cash moved to Memphis in the early 1950s to pursue a career in music and worked as a radio announcer and appliance salesman while playing music on the side.
He recorded some of his most famous songs, including “I Walk the Line” and “Ring of Fire,” at Sun Studio in Memphis. Cash is often associated with the Memphis sound and is considered one of the pioneers of rockabilly music. He had a significant impact on the Memphis music scene and helped to shape the city’s musical legacy.
8. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, but he spent most of his life in Memphis, Tennessee. He moved to Memphis with his family when he was 13 years old and began his music career there, recording his first songs at Sun Studio in Memphis.
Presley became one of the most famous musicians of all time and is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll.” He had a significant impact on the Memphis music scene and helped to put the city on the map as a hub for talented musicians and artists.
Today, Memphis is home to Graceland, Presley’s former home, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
9. Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis was born in Ferriday, Louisiana, but he has strong ties to Memphis, Tennessee. He moved to Memphis in the 1950s to work as a session musician at Sun Studio, where he recorded some of his most famous songs, including “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire.”
Lewis became a major figure in the early rock and roll scene and was known for his energetic piano playing and wild stage persona. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and is considered one of the pioneers of rock and roll music.
While Lewis may not have been born in Memphis, his contributions to the city’s music scene have been significant, and he is often associated with the Memphis sound.
Contemporary Memphis Artists
10. Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1981. He grew up in the Memphis area and got his start in music as a child, performing on the television show “Star Search” and later as a cast member on “The Mickey Mouse Club.” Timberlake rose to fame as a member of the boy band *NSYNC before launching a successful solo career.
He has won numerous awards for his music, including ten Grammy Awards, and has also appeared in several films, including “The Social Network” and “Trolls.”
Timberlake has been a significant figure in the Memphis music scene and has helped to put the city on the map as a hub for talented musicians and artists.
11. Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia is a hip-hop group from Memphis, Tennessee, that was formed in 1991. The group is known for their contributions to the Southern hip-hop genre, and their unique style that blends horrorcore, crunk, and trap music.
Some of their most popular songs include “Stay Fly,” “Sippin on Some Syrup,” and “Poppin’ My Collar.” Three 6 Mafia has had a significant impact on the Memphis music scene and the Southern rap genre as a whole.
12. Michelle
Michelle is a singer, songwriter, and television personality from Memphis. She first gained fame as a cast member on the reality show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta before launching a successful music career.
K. Michelle’s music is a mix of R&B, soul, and hip-hop, and she has released several successful albums, including Rebellious Soul and Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart? She is also known for her philanthropic work, including her support of domestic violence survivors.
Overall, Memphis has a rich history of producing talented musicians, and these contemporary artists are no exception. With their unique sounds and styles, Justin Timberlake, Three 6 Mafia, and K. Michelle continue to make Memphis proud.
