Memphis Mayhem : A Story of the Music That Shook Up the World

**Memphis gave birth to music that changed the world ― __Memphis Mayhem__ is a fascinating history of how music and culture collided to change the state of music forever** **“David Less has captured the essence of the Memphis music experience on these pages in no uncertain terms. There's truly no place like Memphis and this is the story of why that is. HAVE MERCY!” ― Billy F Gibbons, ZZ Top** __Memphis Mayhem__ weaves the tale of the racial collision that led to a cultural, sociological, and musical revolution. David Less constructs a fascinating narrative of the city that has produced a startling array of talent, including Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Al Green, Otis Redding, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Justin Timberlake, and so many more. Beginning with the 1870s yellow fever epidemics that created racial imbalance as wealthy whites fled the city, David Less moves from W.C. Handy’s codification of blues in 1909 to the mid-century advent of interracial musical acts like Booker T. & the M.G.’s, the birth of punk, and finally to the growth of a music tourism industry. __Memphis Mayhem__ explores the city’s entire musical ecosystem, which includes studios, high school band instructors, clubs, record companies, family bands, pressing plants, instrument factories, and retail record outlets. Lively and comprehensive, this is a provocative story of finding common ground through music and creating a sound that would change the world. Memphis gave birth to music that changed the world Memphis Mayhem is a fascinating history of how music and culture collided to change the state of music forever David Less has captured the essence of the Memphis music experience on these pages in no uncertain terms. Theres truly no place like Memphis and this is the story of why that is. HAVE MERCY! Billy F Gibbons, ZZ Top Foreword by renowned music historian Peter Guralnick Memphis Mayhem weaves the tale of the racial collision that led to a cultural, sociological, and musical revolution. David Less constructs a fascinating narrative of the city that has produced a startling array of talent, including Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Al Green, Otis Redding, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Justin Timberlake, and so many more. Beginning with the 1870s yellow fever epidemics that created racial imbalance as wealthy whites fled the city, David Less moves from W.C. Handys codification of blues in 1909 to the mid-century advent of interracial musical acts like Booker T. & the M.G.s, the birth of punk, and finally to the growth of a music tourism industry. Memphis Mayhem explores the citys entire musical ecosystem, which includes studios, high school band instructors, clubs, record companies, family bands, pressing plants, instrument factories, and retail record outlets. Lively and comprehensive, this is a provocative story of finding common ground through music and creating a sound that would change the world. "The definitive tale of the birthplace of rock and roll Memphis Mayhem weaves the tale of the racial collision that led to a cultural, sociological, and musical revolution. Beginning with the 1870s yellow fever epidemics that created racial imbalance as wealthy whites fled his hometown, David Less moves beyond W.C. Handy's codification of the blues in 1909 to the mid-century advent of interracial music, the birth of punk, and finally to the growth of a music tourism industry. The city's musical ecosystem included studios, high school band instructors, clubs, record companies, family bands, pressing plants, and retail record outlets, and it produced a startling array of talent, including Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Al Green, Otis Redding, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carla Thomas, Booker Little, Alex Chilton, Ann Peebles, Jim Dickinson, Furry Lewis, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Justin Timberlake. Lively and comprehensive, Memphis Mayhem is a provocative chronicle of finding common ground through music and creating a sound that would change the world."-- Provided by publisher The Fascinating History Of How So-called Black And White Music Came Together In Memphis To Change The State Of Music Forever. David Less Has Conducted Research On The History Of Memphis Music For More Than 40 Years And Offers A Unique And Engaging Perspective For Blues And Rock 'n' Roll Fans.