Blues Music

Blues Music Its Roots and History on Beale Street

Experience everything Beale Street has to offer at the Interpretive Center/Club of The Historical Daisy at 329 Beale Street, along with four blocks of clubs, bars, and souvenir and gift shops, with a variety of foods at every club/bar. Built in 1902, our Interpretive Center provides extensive information and offers tours with Blue City Tours or call us direct to arrange for a tour, to learn more about Beale Street. The first Blues music was copyrighted with the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., by William Christopher (W.C.) Handy in 1912, and titled Memphis Blues. Mr. Handy went on to write the St. Louis Blues in 1914. Visit street musicians along Beale Street, W.C. Handy Park, and his home, located at the corner of 4th and Beale, father of the blues.

Beale Street Facts

• Home of the Blues
• Historical Landmark
• Starting Point for Elvis
• Birthplace of Rock and Roll
• Creation of First Art Form of Music

Accepting Generous Contributions

Beale Street Development Corporation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accepting contributions, which are tax deductible, to further the growth of the Interpretive Center. In order to receive federal grants, the government mandated Beale St. Development Corporation maintains an Interpretive Center to depict the history and culture of African-Americans and their contribution to the creation of blues music. Visit the Interpretive Center today at no cost, and please make your contribution to keep blues music and its history alive. BEALE STREET, the birthplace of THE BLUES.

**Below are documents signed by Beale Street Development Corporation, City of Memphis and the United States Federal Government awarded grants agreements for the re-development of Beale Street. ***

We are here to demonstrate to the world the history and culture of Beale Street, further the majority of the music that you hear today has blues roots.

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