MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum has added icons of a legendary Beale Street performer to their exhibit.
The trademark black bowler hat and trumpet of Rudy Williams, also known as the 'Mayor of Beale Street,' will be displayed within the museum's "Coming to Memphis" gallery. Williams passed away in May 2011 at the age of 71, and was a fixture street performer in front of King's Palace Café. He also officially led all marching funeral processions along Beale Street, which included those of many other legendary blues artists.
"The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum prides itself on telling the complete Memphis music story. That couldn’t be done without the inclusion of Rudy Williams," said the museum's Executive Director, John Doyle. "Rock 'n' Soul educates visitors about how musicians of all racial and socio-economic backgrounds came together, for the love of music, to create a sound which changed the cultural complexion of the world forever. That's exactly what Mr. Williams did. He presented Memphis music to everyone… tourists, Memphians, school children… advancing this city’s unmatched musical legacy. We are grateful to his wife for allowing his story to be told within our galleries."
For more information on the exhibit, visit
www.memphisrocknsoul.org
