1964 Top Ten: Memphis (#5)

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Wednesday has been busy for me because I have a prompt in a group on Facebook as well. Sorry I’m a little late here. (Plus, two cats wanted nonstop attention when I was trying to leave this morning. ) Here’s a well-known song that originated in the 50s, but this particular version turns 60 this year. So sing along! Memphis - Johnny Rivers Chuck Berry wrote this and first recorded it (as “Memphis, Tennessee”). That version, and Elvis’ rendition, are probably the two best-known. However, for some reason we had the 45 of Johnny Rivers’ version when I was a kid. I say “for some reason” because my dad insisted that all we had in the house was country music. So I grew up thinking this was a country song (along with the Platters, since we had Encore of Golden Hits). Since this was my “first version,” this is the version I tend to gravitate to when this song is mentioned. Johnny Rivers, at 81, is still with us. The song is an all-time classic. Memphis Written by Chuck Berry Recorded by Johnny Rivers From At the Whisky a Go-Go, 1964 Information please: