WMBR Special Events Calendar

This Month

"MEMPHIS" on WMBR's Subject to Change Program

Hosted by:

Originally aired:

Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee" (later shorn of the state) occurred near the tail end of a peerless run of early rock & roll/r&b singles, and just months prior to his arrest for illicit intentions with a 14-year old. Berry was known for his lyrics that appealed to teenage sensibilities of fun and freedom, but "Memphis" explored a more adult theme. The song is about the narrator's search for his daughter kept by his estranged spouse. The B-side to his smash Back in the USA, Memphis charted four years after its initial release in the UK and became a favorite cover song by artists on both sides of the Atlantic. (Johnny Rivers, who is like a sexy version of Trini Lopez, climbed to #2 in 1964 with his cover). We'll explore the song in various languages and styles.

Location: 88.1 FM

For more information about this event, contact:
Patrick Bryant
subject2wmbr@gmail.com
617-253-4000

Visit: https://twitter.com/subject2chang