West Memphis, AR
Music connected to West Memphis
About West Memphis
- • Blues musician Albert King, known for his upside-down guitar, was born in Indianola, near West Memphis.
- • West Memphis is considered a birthplace of rockabilly music, influencing early rock and roll.
- • Its location as a major transportation hub on the Mississippi River helped West Memphis thrive.
- • Greyhound racing was once a huge attraction, drawing crowds and significant revenue.
- • The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 devastated the area, leading to significant levee construction.
- • Named 'West Memphis' in 1927, it sits opposite Memphis, TN, across the Mississippi River.
- • With roughly 24,000 residents, its population is smaller than many nearby suburban cities.
- • Sitting at 220 feet above sea level, it's relatively flat, typical of the Mississippi Delta.
- • Logistics and transportation are key industries, given its location and infrastructure.
- • A palpable sense of history mingles with the slow pace of life, evoking nostalgia.
- • The Memphis Grizzlies are the closest major NBA team, known for their 'Grit and Grind' era.
- • East Poinsett County's Scotty Thurman, who attended high school near West Memphis, hit the go-ahead three in the 1994 NCAA Championship.