Tribute to the music of Memphis

A NEW local tribute show inspired by the 1955 collaboration between rock ’n’ roll greats Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins is headed for Durban’s Rhumbelow Theatre branch at the Westville Country Club on December 6.

Two performances have been scheduled that day – at 2.30pm and 7pm – for a production that will feature a fine band called The Black Lapels.

Titled Memphis55, the show stars Rob Warren on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Garth Warren on bass and vocals, Gareth Gale on drums and Greg Bedford on lead guitar.

The Black Lapels were formerly known as Zaffa, and presented the successful and critically acclaimed Johnny Cash Show at Durban venues and the 2013 Hilton Arts Festival.

Presley, Cash, Perkins and Lewis met in 1955 at the famed Sun Records under renowned producer Sam Phillips. “The ace quartet went on to tour throughout America and the world, and changed the course of music history, inspiring a new generation of musicians including The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones and many more,” says a spokesman for Memphis55.

“Paul McCartney noted that ‘if there were no Carl Perkins there would have been no Beatles’.”

Memphis55 is said to be both a history lesson and homage to the visionaries that gave birth to rockabilly and rock ’n’ roll,

The production features a score of varied rock hits, including Blue Suede Shoes, That’s Alright, Great Balls of Fire, Walk The Line, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On’, Who Do You Love?, Matchbox, Folsom Prison Blues, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock and Cry, Cry, Cry.

Tickets cost R220 (R200 for Westville Country Club members and senior citizens) which includes the show and a buffet meal.

Booking is at Computicket outlets or by phoning Roland Stansell at 082 499 8636.