Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios
Memphis Boys chronicles the story of the rhythm section at Chips Moman's American Studios from 1964, when the group began working together, until 1972, when Moman shut down the studio and moved the entire operation to Atlanta. Utilizing extensive interviews with Moman and the group, as well as additional comments from the songwriters, sound engineers, and office staff, author Roben Jones creates a collective biography combined with a business history and a critical analysis of important recordings. She reveals how the personalities of the core group meshed, how they regarded newcomers, and how their personal and musical philosophies blended with Moman's vision to create timeless music based on themes of suffering and sorrow. Recording sessions with Elvis Presley, the Gentrys, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, the Box Tops, Joe Tex, Neil Diamond, B. J. Thomas, Dionne Warwick, and many others come alive in this book. Jones provides the stories behind memorable songs composed by group writers, such as "The Letter," "Dark End of the Street," "Do Right Woman," "Breakfast in Bed," and "You Were Always on My Mind." Featuring photographs, personal profiles, and a suggested listening section, Memphis Boys details a significant phase of American music and the impact of one amazing studio. Roben Jones of Gallipolis, Ohio, has published poetry in various magazines and in Wild Sweet Notes: Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry, 1950-1999.
1118898522
Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios
Memphis Boys chronicles the story of the rhythm section at Chips Moman's American Studios from 1964, when the group began working together, until 1972, when Moman shut down the studio and moved the entire operation to Atlanta. Utilizing extensive interviews with Moman and the group, as well as additional comments from the songwriters, sound engineers, and office staff, author Roben Jones creates a collective biography combined with a business history and a critical analysis of important recordings. She reveals how the personalities of the core group meshed, how they regarded newcomers, and how their personal and musical philosophies blended with Moman's vision to create timeless music based on themes of suffering and sorrow. Recording sessions with Elvis Presley, the Gentrys, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, the Box Tops, Joe Tex, Neil Diamond, B. J. Thomas, Dionne Warwick, and many others come alive in this book. Jones provides the stories behind memorable songs composed by group writers, such as "The Letter," "Dark End of the Street," "Do Right Woman," "Breakfast in Bed," and "You Were Always on My Mind." Featuring photographs, personal profiles, and a suggested listening section, Memphis Boys details a significant phase of American music and the impact of one amazing studio. Roben Jones of Gallipolis, Ohio, has published poetry in various magazines and in Wild Sweet Notes: Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry, 1950-1999.
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Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios

Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios

by Roben Jones
Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios

Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios

by Roben Jones

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Overview

Memphis Boys chronicles the story of the rhythm section at Chips Moman's American Studios from 1964, when the group began working together, until 1972, when Moman shut down the studio and moved the entire operation to Atlanta. Utilizing extensive interviews with Moman and the group, as well as additional comments from the songwriters, sound engineers, and office staff, author Roben Jones creates a collective biography combined with a business history and a critical analysis of important recordings. She reveals how the personalities of the core group meshed, how they regarded newcomers, and how their personal and musical philosophies blended with Moman's vision to create timeless music based on themes of suffering and sorrow. Recording sessions with Elvis Presley, the Gentrys, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, the Box Tops, Joe Tex, Neil Diamond, B. J. Thomas, Dionne Warwick, and many others come alive in this book. Jones provides the stories behind memorable songs composed by group writers, such as "The Letter," "Dark End of the Street," "Do Right Woman," "Breakfast in Bed," and "You Were Always on My Mind." Featuring photographs, personal profiles, and a suggested listening section, Memphis Boys details a significant phase of American music and the impact of one amazing studio. Roben Jones of Gallipolis, Ohio, has published poetry in various magazines and in Wild Sweet Notes: Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry, 1950-1999.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781617031991
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
Publication date: 11/01/2011
Series: American Made Music Series
Pages: 430
Product dimensions: 7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Roben Jones has published poetry in various magazines and in Wild Sweet Notes: Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry, 1950-1999.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

Profiles xvii

1 Sun Days and Hi Times 3

2 Chips, Goldwax, Sandy, and the Garage-Band Sound 14

3 The Road, the Tree, and Its Branches 28

4 Walking Through an Open Doorway 37

5 Grabbing the Pie and Biting the Apple 52

6 Soul Dance Number Three: Keeping It Real 63

7 New Voices, New Visions, Wayne's World, and a Letter 77

8 A Place in the Sun 89

9 Chill of an Early Fall 101

10 It Looked Like a Family 111

11 Standing on the Verge of Getting It On 120

12 Songs for Young Weepers: Crying Like a Baby and the Death of a Dream 131

13 Memphis Goes On 144

14 Early Departures and Late Arrivals 157

15 People Sure Act Funny 173

16 The Present Is Prelude 191

17 From a Jack to a King 199

18 Good-Time Merry-Go-Round: Life after Elvis 219

19 Tommy Cogbill's Year 236

20 Eyes of a New York Woman 247

21 Just Can't Help Believing 274

22 Going in Circles 290

23 Right Can Be So Wrong 304

24 Wasted Doing Nothing 321

25 Broken-Hearted Rock and Roll Band 339

26 From Atlanta to Good-Bye 350

Suggested Listening 369

Notes 374

Bibliography 379

Index 381

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