Memphis Going Down: A Century of Blues Soul and Rock 'n' Roll

For over one hundred years Memphis Tennessee has been the center of musical innovation for American popular music. From W. C. Handy to Alberta Hunter and Lil Hardin Armstrong in the early years to B. B. King in the late 1940s Elvis Presley Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis in the 1950s to Otis Redding Booker T. and the MGs and Al Green in the 1960s and early 1970s Memphis music sizzled with a level of creativity unrivaled in the history of American music.For five decades of the citys marvelous music history author James L. Dickerson was at ground zero as a Memphis journalist magazine publisher and radio syndication owner who had unparalleled access to many of the music greats of the latter half of the century. Originally published as Goin Back to Memphis this book was a finalist for the prestigious Gleason Award previously given out annually by Rolling Stone magazine BMI and New York University. Memphis Going Down is an expanded and updated edition with additional text and photos.Memphis Going Down is told in the words of the record producers performers and songwriters themselves as they reflect on their lives and music and its impact on popular culture. Youll hear legendary record producers such as Chips Moman Willie Mitchell Sam Phillips and Jim Stewart talk about the ups and downs of the industry. And youll hear the artists themselves: Johnny Cash Carl Perkins Jerry Lee Lewis Al Green Bobby Womack B. B. King Bobby Blue Bland Stevie Ray Vaughn Rufus Thomas members of the Box Tops and the Fabulous Thunderbirds go one-on-one with the author in an effort to understand the mysteries of Memphis music.