Rock 'n' Roll Heaven
Needing a break to make room for more ribs, we
set off to find the sun--Sun Studio, that is. It was there that Elvis Presley,
Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, and Ike Turner began careers that
shaped the sound of rock 'n' roll. After hearing outtakes from early recording
sessions, we drove a few blocks to the sparkling Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum in
the Gibson Guitar Factory.
We danced through exhibits with CD audio guides playing songs from Otis
Redding, Al Green, and B.B. King. We learned that rock 'n' roll emerged from the
culture of the blues, gospel, and country music. We felt its driving beat and
wild tunes return us to the possibilities and thrills of youth.
As we were leaving, Wanda slipped into the gift shop to purchase CDs by Sam
and Dave, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding--music for the ride home. Standing in
the setting sun, we looked at each other. More ribs? Of course.
This time we headed south to Jim Neely's Interstate Bar-B-Que, an unassuming
diner-like place near I-55. "Wet and dry ribs, please. No sides this time," we
pleaded. "Just the fat, ma'am." Our server nodded her head knowingly. Before
another half hour passed, a plate piled high with clean rib bones sat in the
middle of the table. Smiling, we paid our bill, returned to our hotel rooms, and
slept like happy little piglets.
And the Winner Is…
The next morning we left Richard behind in Memphis,
where he was welcomed by all who know him. Somehow Dana managed to secure a
boxed slab of Rendezvous' ribs and sauce, which nestled in our trunk as we
barreled down the road. Unsurprisingly, the conversation turned to ribs.
"Which were best?" Dana asked.
"Corky's wet," Wanda said without hesitation. "They were tender, meaty, with
the perfect tangy sauce."
"Aah, you're partially right," replied Annette. "Corky's, yes. But the dry
ribs. I'd never had them before. I think I've found rib nirvana."
Second best? We agreed that Interstate's wet ribs came in close, and The
Bar-B-Q Shop should be on everyone's don't-miss list. Rendezvous? The best
good-time barbecue joint in town. We agreed they had the best chicken.
Wanda popped her new Otis Redding CD in the player. We joined in a verse of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," thinking that if we keep eating ribs like
these, we might turn into songwriters ourselves.
Memphis will do that to you.
Tunes To Go
Elvis Presley's Memphis: 126 Beale Street; (901)
527-6900.
Graceland: 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.; (901) 332-3322, 1-800-238-2000,
or www.elvis.com. Admission: Mansion tours
are $16 adults, $14.40 seniors and students, $6 ages
7-12.
Sun Studio: 706 Union Avenue; (901) 521-0664, 1-800-441-6249, or www.sunstudio.com. Admission: $9.50 ages 12 and older.
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum: 145 Lt. George W. Lee Avenue; (901) 543-0800
or www.memphisrocknsoul.org. Admission: $8.50 adults, $7.50 seniors, and $5 ages 5-17.
Rib Attack
Rendezvous: 52 South Second Street; (901) 523-2746. Shipments are
available at 1-888-464-7359 or www.hogsfly.com.
Corky's Ribs & BBQ: 5259 Poplar Avenue; (901) 685-9744. Shipments are
available at 1-800-926-7597 or www.corkysbbq.com.
The Bar-B-Q Shop: 1782 Madison Avenue; (901) 272-1277 or www.dancingpigs.com.
Jim Neely's Interstate Bar-B-Que: 2265 South Third Street; (901)
775-2304.
This article is from the January 2003 issue of Southern Living.Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please
check all information to make sure it's still current before making
your travel plans.
