The Memphis Sound
The Memphis Sound is the moniker given to the soul sound that came out of Memphis, TN and the region specifically during the late 1960's and 1970's. Taking its influence from the old negro spirituals arising out of the cotton fields and the river, along with a new, distinctive driving drum beat, this new music became easily identifiable as it permeated the airwaves and topped the charts. STAX and HI Records were the local independent labels credited with this new creation.
The Memphis Sound is characterized mainly by soul R&B music with its deep, groovin' bass lines, light guitar work, keys (ranging from wurlitzer to Hammond B-3), and powerful vocals. It was accentuated by the horn sound prevalent in such soul classics as Hold On I'm Comin', Knock On Wood, Proud Mary, and others.
More recently, The Memphis Sound name has been utilized for band names, company names, and more generally, simply to describe the glory days of Memphis Music. The Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corp, est. 2002, was crowned National Champion in 2007, but had moved to Texas and become defunct by 2010. The Memphis Sound band, created in 1996, lauds the best musicians, vocalists, and production in the region, performing ove 80 events annually. Memphis Sound Entertainment, est. circa 1993, is a full service Music and Entertainment Company located in Memphis, Tennessee. The company produces major concerts and private events throughout the United States.
The Memphis Sound is characterized mainly by soul R&B music with its deep, groovin' bass lines, light guitar work, keys (ranging from wurlitzer to Hammond B-3), and powerful vocals. It was accentuated by the horn sound prevalent in such soul classics as Hold On I'm Comin', Knock On Wood, Proud Mary, and others.
More recently, The Memphis Sound name has been utilized for band names, company names, and more generally, simply to describe the glory days of Memphis Music. The Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corp, est. 2002, was crowned National Champion in 2007, but had moved to Texas and become defunct by 2010. The Memphis Sound band, created in 1996, lauds the best musicians, vocalists, and production in the region, performing ove 80 events annually. Memphis Sound Entertainment, est. circa 1993, is a full service Music and Entertainment Company located in Memphis, Tennessee. The company produces major concerts and private events throughout the United States.
The Memphis Sound: Soul Man, Hold On I'm Comin', I'll Take You There, Proud Mary, Knock On Wood, Walkin' The Dog, The Dark End of The Street, Green Onions, etc. From Al Green to Eddie Floyd, Aretha, Tina, Sam & Dave, Isaac Hayes, The Soul Children, Rufus Thomas, and many more, their contributions live on today!