MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1997
Where does U2 go when they come to town? Why, to B.B. King’s Blues Club of course. The Irish rock band, who played Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Wednesday, positioned themselves in the club’s VIP booth, the ”Lucille” box, around 11:30 Thursday night, “hanging out and (being) totally cool,” according to B.B.’S director of operations, Larry Bell. Bell said the band, who recorded the song “When Love Comes to Town” with B.B. King, talked like the out-of-town fans that they are about all things Memphis and were particularly interested in Elvis Presley’s Memphis, the Graceland nightclub set to open in July in the old Lansky building. Bell also said that U2’s lead singer, Bono, took note of B.B.’S décor. ”He was fascinated with the VIP booth, looking at the furniture which we got from Flashback.”
50 years ago — 1972
NEW YORK – Declaring he “can no longer walk the streets with head held high in fear of slipping,” Environmental Protection Administrator Jerome Kretchmer announced yesterday he will press for legislation requiring New York’s dog owners to clean up after their animals. Kretchmer told a news conference the legislation would not be “anti-dog, but pro-people,” adding, “it represents all the problems of city life.”
75 years ago — 1947
Beauty and talent were accorded official status in the scheme of things in the Memphis Cotton Carnival last night. Sue Donegan, a 19-year-old of Gadsden, Ala., was chosen from a group of 44 Southern beauties for the
title of Miss Dixie Belle of 1947 at the Auditorium last night. She will fly to Hollywood Tuesday on an American Airlines flagship on a five-day, expense-paid visit as the guest of Metro-goldwyn Mayer Studios.
100 years ago — 1922
Undertakers from Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, in convention at the Hotel Chisca, yesterday morning listened to a running fire of friendly criticism from Wayne Calhoun, Cincinnati
advertising expert, who delivered the chief address of the session. “You are in an incorrect position before the public,” the advertising authority told them. “You are not accepted for what you are worth by the people with whom you do business. And this is partly your own fault.”
125 years ago — 1897
The annual German Maifest is today being celebrated by Memphis Germans at East End Park.