{"id":2793,"date":"2019-02-18T12:20:05","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T18:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearememphis.com\/?p=2793"},"modified":"2026-04-09T07:05:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T12:05:10","slug":"how-music-continues-to-shape-and-grow-memphis-tourism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearememphis.com\/play\/music\/how-music-continues-to-shape-and-grow-memphis-tourism\/","title":{"rendered":"How Music Continues to Shape and Grow Memphis Tourism"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s no denying it \u2014 music defines Memphis<\/a>. Roam the internet for stories about the nation\u2019s top music cities, and Memphis always seems to make the list. That\u2019s because we\u2019re known as the home of blues, soul, rockabilly\u00a0and rock \u2019n\u2019 roll.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t ignore the fact that Memphis stays fresh by being a hub of musical experimentation, producing hybrids such as surf rock with a Memphis twang.<\/p>\n

Plus, the Memphis\u00a0music producer Sam Phillips recorded what is often cited as the first rock \u2019n\u2019 roll song, “Rocket 88,” at his Sun Records studio when it opened in 1952. Ike Turner wrote the song about a powerful auto, and his band member Jackie Brenston sang it.<\/p>\n

Music tourism<\/h2>\n

Memphis serves up a banquet of musical history and styles. It\u2019s a major part of our tourism appeal as demonstrated at the Memphis Travel website, which tops its \u201cwhat to do\u201d page with the following iconic music hot spots:<\/p>\n