Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios (American Made Music Series) - Hardcover

Jones, Roben

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1604734019 ISBN 13: 9781604734010

Publisher: University Press of Mississippi, 2010

Synopsis

Memphis Boys chronicles the story of the rhythm section at Chips Moman’s American Studios from 1964, when the group began working together, until 1972, when Moman shut down the studio and moved the entire operation to Atlanta. Utilizing extensive interviews with Moman and the group, as well as additional comments from the songwriters, sound engineers, and office staff, author Roben Jones creates a collective biography combined with a business history and a critical analysis of important recordings. She reveals how the personalities of the core group meshed, how they regarded newcomers, and how their personal and musical philosophies blended with Moman’s vision to create timeless music based on themes of suffering and sorrow.

Recording sessions with Elvis Presley, the Gentrys, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, the Box Tops, Joe Tex, Neil Diamond, B. J. Thomas, Dionne Warwick, and many others come alive in this book. Jones provides the stories behind memorable songs composed by group writers, such as “The Letter,” “Dark End of the Street,” “Do Right Woman,” “Breakfast in Bed,” and “You Were Always on My Mind.” Featuring photographs, personal profiles, and a suggested listening section, Memphis Boys details a significant phase of American music and the impact of one studio.

About this title

Book Description:

A detailed history of an unsung recording studio and its lasting impact on rhythm and blues

About the Author:

Roben Jones has published poetry in various magazines and in Wild Sweet Notes: Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry, 1950-1999.

About this edition

• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1604734019
• ISBN 13: 9781604734010
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 430