At 126 S 2nd St in downtown Memphis, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame celebrates musicians connected to the city and the Mid-South. Its compact museum pairs stories about artists such as Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Isaac Hayes and Three 6 Mafia with costumes, handwritten lyrics, awards and other memorabilia. Move through the exhibits at your own pace, listen to songs on the jukeboxes and watch performance footage and interviews. Allow about 50 minutes for the self-guided visit, including the music trivia at the end.
Honoring Memphis-connected musicians
The Hall of Fame recognizes people whose work shaped music and who have ties to Memphis or the Mid-South. Its inductees include performers as well as people working behind the scenes, such as producers, engineers, writers, promoters and radio professionals. A nominating committee selects inductees for their achievements in music, and each receives a Mike Curb award.
The institution began in 2012. The museum opened to visitors in 2015, giving the Hall of Fame a downtown space for exhibits about its inductees. Its artists span styles including blues, rock, soul, jazz and R&B. The names include Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, Aretha Franklin and Justin Timberlake.
What the exhibits include
The exhibits combine objects from musicians’ lives and careers with recordings and video. You may see costumes, handwritten lyrics and awards alongside instruments and personal items. One display includes B.B. King’s guitar, Lucille; another item associated with Elvis Presley is his briefcase phone. A halved Cadillac is among the more unusual displays.
Videos show performances and interviews, while jukeboxes let you play songs as you move through the museum. Interactive panels add information about the artists and their work. The displays also use period details to place the music and memorabilia in context. Take time with the exhibit text, since the visit is self-guided and there is no guide leading a group through the rooms.
Planning a self-guided visit
The museum is at 126 S 2nd St in downtown Memphis, near Beale Street. The route is designed for visitors to explore independently, so you can spend longer with artists or objects that interest you and replay songs on the jukeboxes. Music trivia at the end gives the visit a final activity.
The exhibits are concentrated in a small museum, and a full circuit takes around 50 minutes. Advance tickets are recommended. The building has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom and parking. There is also a gift shop. For a quieter visit, choose a weekday, when the museum is typically less busy than at the weekend.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long does a visit to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame take?
Allow about 30 to 60 minutes. The self-guided visit takes around 50 minutes, including the music trivia.
Is the Memphis Music Hall of Fame self-guided?
Yes. You explore the exhibits at your own pace, with interactive panels, jukeboxes and video performances.
What can you see at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame?
Exhibits include musicians’ costumes, handwritten lyrics, awards, personal items, video performances and interviews. Artists represented include Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Isaac Hayes and Three 6 Mafia.
Is the Memphis Music Hall of Fame wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, restroom and parking are listed as wheelchair accessible.
