Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum

A Must-Visit Historic and Musical Heritage Site – Memphis Rock and Soul Museum** My recent visit to the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum was an enriching and insightful experience that I highly recommend to anyone interested in the rich musical history of Memphis. After enjoying a delightful brunch, we arrived at the museum in the middle of the day, eager to delve into its offerings. The museum features a self-guided tour system, beginning with an engaging introductory film that provides a comprehensive overview of the museum’s focus on the roots and evolution of rock and soul music. This visual introduction set the perfect tone for the exploration that followed. As we proceeded through the exhibits, it became evident just how significant Memphis has been in shaping American musical history. The museum offers detailed information about pivotal moments, such as the emergence of the first Black radio station, and how genres like gospel and country influenced the renaissance of blues music. Each exhibit was thoughtfully curated, offering a deep dive into the stories behind iconic figures and legendary venues. The tour effectively contextualizes Memphis’s pivotal role in music history, shedding light on cultural and historical factors that give the city its unique musical identity. It also provides insight into famous sites like Beale Street, and celebrates the legendary careers of musicians such as B.B. King and Elvis Presley. In summary, the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to understand the roots of Memphis’s vibrant musical landscape. Visiting here before exploring other attractions offers valuable background that enriches the experience of the city’s famous landmarks and musical legends.

This is probably the best music museum I have ever visited. From the name, you know what to expect but it is so well done and the audio guided tour is brilliant. We spent 2 hours here but could have stayed much longer. Highly recommended

I visited last week with my kids high school music program. We had an absolutely fantastic time. The guided audio tour was fantastic. Everything was very clean and well maintained. All staff we encountered were also extremely friendly and assisted us with some directions as well. Thank you!

Absolutely my favorite museum experience in Memphis so far. I was not sure how I would like the whole headset business but it added so much to the experience. By the end of the tour I found myself asking for more. This story is so beautiful, I do not and do not want it to end. Memphis! Please bring us more music!

If you’re short on time and want a one-stop-shop for Memphis music history — this is it. Having done both the Sun Studio and STAX tours, I found there’s definitely some overlapping history here, but Rock ‘n’ Soul brings in fresh narratives and perspectives that still made it a worthwhile and enriching stop. What really sets this place apart is the self-guided audio tour. It’s choose-your-own-adventure style — letting you move at your own pace, dive deeper where you want, or skip ahead when something else catches your ear. Tons of great music samples and stories along the way, all really well produced. It’s compact but content-rich, and located right near Beale Street and FedExForum, making it super easy to pop in. Whether you’re starting your Memphis music journey or adding it to a full tour lineup, the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum holds its own as a must-visit.

I would HIGHLY recommend coming to the Rock n Soul Museum in memphis, this museum is VERY educational and has a lot of historically significant objects and interesting items too look at. But I wouldn’t recommend coming here with kids because the lack of interactivity and how short the museum is.

Visited from Germany and loved it! The audio tour is great, you can listen to all the songs and dance. I had a great 90 minutes 🥰🕺🏻

This is a great place to visit if you are at all interested in music history. There is a wonderful audio tour that can be done at your own pace & in any order (@ no extra charge). I highly recommend it!