North Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

American Studios
⎯⎯⎯
Elvis Presley at American Studios

American Studios side of the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020

1. American Studios side of the marker

Inscription. American Studios American Studios, a cornerstone of the explosive Memphis music industry in the 1960s, stood on this site. Opened in 1962, American featured record producer Chips Moman and musicians known as The 827 Thomas Štreet Band, later The Memphis Boys. They worked with scores of artists, such as Elvis Presley, The Box Tops, King Curtis, Neil Diamond, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, Joe Tex, B.J. Thomas, and Bobby Womack. During its heyday, American produced 15 top 10 hits on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart. Overall, more than 120 American recordings reached not only the pop charts but also those for rhythm & blues, country, and even jazz. American closed in 1972 with the loss of its last big label contract with Atlantic Records and with Moman's decision to relocate to Atlanta.

Elvis Presley at American Studios To revive his recording career, Elvis Presley came to American Studios in 1969. Spending much of the 1960s making movies, Elvis saw his status as a pop singer had faded. Seeking a comeback, he worked with Chips Moman and The 827 Thomas Street Band. Together they combined Elvis' unique talent

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

with American's trademark blend of country, pop, and rhythm & blues. The collaboration worked. The sessions turned out such hits as "Suspicious Minds," "In The Ghetto,” "Don't Cry Daddy,” and "Kentucky Rain.". With music critics hailing these recordings as some of his best, Elvis quickly returned to the top of the charts.

Erected by Friends of American Studios and Shelby County Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Elvis Presley series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.

Location. 35° 9.832′ N, 90° 2.215′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in North Memphis. It is at the intersection of Thomas Street (U.S. 51) and Chelsea Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Thomas Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 827 Thomas St, Memphis TN 38107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically

Elvis Presley at American Studios side of the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020

2. Elvis Presley at American Studios side of the marker

in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Brick Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Porter-Leath Children's Center (approx. ¼ mile away); Burkle Estate (approx. 0.4 miles away); Humes High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Isaac Hayes (approx. 0.6 miles away); Manassas High School / The Cora P. Taylor Auditorium (approx. 0.6 miles away); William Herbert Brewster, Sr. (approx. 0.6 miles away); St.Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis to Peoria Run (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Regarding American Studios / Elvis Presley at American Studios. Site is now a retail store.

American Studios/Elvis Presley at American Studios Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020

3. American Studios/Elvis Presley at American Studios Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,025 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

American Studios⎯⎯⎯Elvis Presley at American Studios

American Studios
⎯⎯⎯
Elvis Presley at American Studios