The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame are excited to announce the purchase of the former Hard Rock Cafe on Second and Beale for $5 million.
The purchase creates a unique opportunity to house the whole of Memphis’ music history, and to contribute to its future within the prominent building which covers a city block at Second Street between Beale Street and Peabody Place. The building will be appropriately branded as the “J.W. & Kathy Gibson Center of Memphis Music,” thanks to their generous contribution.
Following renovations, the “Center of Memphis Music” will eventually house the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, whose original exhibit was researched and developed by the world-famous Smithsonian Institution. Rock ‘n’ Soul was voted “Best Memphis Museum” in 2022, and Performing Songwriter Magazine said it is “perhaps the best exhibition of American music history in the country.” For 20 years, the Memphis Music Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum has had the honor of being a part of FedExForum, thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies, and, in its future location on Beale it looks forward to playing a role in the plans for Beale Street improvements to coincide with FedExForum renovation plans. The J.W. & Kathy Gibson Center of Memphis Music will also house the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum, already located at 126 Beale, as well as other planned music exhibitions to complement the complete Memphis music story.
Upon the departure of Hard Rock Cafe, Rock ‘n’ Soul Board and staff acted upon long-range strategic plans for the organization’s growth by securing a sale contract on the building, and, in just 8 months raised the $5 million purchase price to close on the historic building on March 20, 2024. Three major donors of $1 million or more include J.W. & Kathy Gibson, the Assisi Foundation of Greater Memphis, and Mike & Linda Curb. Mike Curb is a former Lt. Governor of California and owner of Curb Records, the country’s largest independent record label. Mike Curb and his wife have been fervently committed to the advancement of music in both Nashville and Memphis, which has included the preservation and activation of Elvis Presley’s former home on Audubon Drive, and the establishment of the Mike Curb School of Music at Rhodes College.
In appreciation of Mike & Linda Curb’s generous commitment of $2.5 million, the former Hard Rock space will be renovated into the “Mike & Linda Curb Music Center,” a performance space which will offer a great facility on Beale Street for musician workshops, free rehearsal space for musicians, guest speakers, music education and summer camps for students, documentary screenings, and even more music on Beale Street (paying living wages for musicians).
As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul, Inc. will also be able to raise funding for increased daytime and family-friendly events on Beale Street, including increased musical events for tourists and to support Memphis musicians. The not-for-profit organization will also offer a new cultural amenity to Beale Street, to complement the street’s many clubs and restaurants, and joining with the Withers Collection photography gallery and the W.C. Handy House to provide educational and cultural attractions to the world-famous street.
Other major supporters of the preservation and purchase of 126 Beale Street include the Lansky Family, Melissa & Kevin McEniry, Memphis Tourism, and Pat Halloran. In the mid-1950s, the Lansky Family, under the leadership of patriarch Bernard Lansky, operated Lansky Bros. Clothiers in the building, and sold clothes to young emerging musicians like Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. As rock ‘n’ roll and soul music exploded out of Memphis and changed the planet, Lansky Bros. created the look and style of American music. Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul, Inc. is pleased to play a role in the historic preservation and significance of Lansky Bros. Clothiers.
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul organization has already launched Phase 2 of its capital campaign, which will fund the renovation of the building and the relocation of the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum to the new address. The goal of the Phase 2 capital campaign is $10 million. Anticipated increased attendance, an expanded gift shop, activation of the “Mike & Linda Curb Music Center,” and paid parking on the property will help increase earned revenue for the building’s maintenance and utilities, as well as expanded staff to grow programming and promote Memphis music, studios and musicians.
The outdoor press conference announcing the J.W. & Kathy Gibson Center of Memphis Music, the future relocation of the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and the organization’s advancement of its mission and expansion of marketing and programming to benefit Memphis music was held on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Priscilla Presley hosted the press conference, as well as a special fund-raising reception that evening. Aside from her many years promoting Memphis and Memphis music, Ms. Presley has been a staunch supporter of this project for Rock ‘n’ Soul, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and Beale Street. Earlier in the week prior to the press conference, Ms. Presley even offered her support and met with Tennessee State Legislators on Capitol Hill in Nashville promoting this initiative, and sharing its importance to education, musicians, the music industry, tourism, economic impact, Beale Street and the Memphis Entertainment District.
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, researched and developed by the Smithsonian Institution, traces the “History of Memphis Music,” while the Memphis Music Hall of Fame introduces you to the “Heroes of Memphis Music.” Both museums are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Additional information is available at (901) 205-2533 or www.memphisrocknsoul.org, or for the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, www.memphismusichalloffame.com.