Honoring the greats
Tunes with soul man Sam Moore cap night
“When people ask me where I’m from I say ‘Memphis.’ Not where do you live right now, but where are you from,” said Justin Timberlake as part of an emotional, funny, nearly 30-minute speech as he became the youngest inductee of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
The stars were out in force, from rock legends to comedy giants to NBA greats, as the sold-out Cannon Center hosted the annual Memphis Music Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday night. The fourth edition of the annual event saw six more legends of local music — Scotty Moore, Sam & Dave, Al Jackson Jr., Charlie Rich, Memphis Slim, and Alberta Hunter — join Timberlake for the hall’s fourth class.
The evening’s inductions began with pioneering blues songstress Alberta Hunter. Hunter, who died in 1984, has no living relatives. “I was sad to learn Alberta Hunter had no family, but we’re all her family tonight,” said Memphis blues diva Susan Marshall, who paid tribute with a stirring soulful rendition of Hunter’s signature, “Nobody Loves You When You’re Down and Out.”
Blues Foundation head Barbara Newman inducted Memphis Slim, the Bluff City-born pianist. The Silver Fox, Charlie Rich, was honored by Knox and Jerry Phillips, sons of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips. They noted the depth and virtuosity of Rich’s talent.
The middle chunk of the ceremony was devoted to Timberlake, whose entrance was set up by remarks from Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, Three 6 Mafia founder DJ Paul and Timberlake’s close friend and “The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon’s induction speech was part good-natured roast, part self-effacing comedy routine.
“What I love about Justin is he’s never forgotten where comes from,” continued Fallon. “He loves Memphis. I mean, his wife’s last name is Biel. I talked him out of naming his son Barbecue. But he’s passionate about his hometown.”
Timberlake then accepted his award to a standing ovation. “I never prepared a speech for anything,” he said, by way of introduction. “But this is the (expletive) coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.
“This (city) is one of a kind and I know ’cause I’ve been around,” said Timberlake. “But London ain’t got no Gus’ Fried Chicken. Paris may have rendezvous, but they don’t have the Rendezvous. Egypt has the pyramids but they don’t have a Bass Pro Pyramid.”
After shouting out the Grizzlies and celebrating the University of Memphis’ football win over Ole Miss earlier in the day, including leading the entire audience in a rendition of the school’s fight song, Timberlake turned serious. He noted that “Memphis is the global capital of soul. And that soul is not just in the music, it’s in the people.”
After thanking his wife and family, Timberlake concluded his speech, his voice choking with emotion, by saying he owed a deep debt to the city of Memphis, for the honor of representing it.
Another big name followed as Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards got up to honor rock guitar pioneer and Elvis Presley sideman Scotty Moore, who was unable to attend the ceremony. Richards accepted the Hall of Fame statuette on behalf of Moore — and then promptly dropped it to the floor. “But I dropped it classically, elegantly,” joked Richards. “Sorry about having dropped it Scotty — it’s only rock and roll, but at the same time (Moore) is rock and roll.
Late Stax and Hi Records drummer, producer and songwriter Al Jackson was given a musical tribute by a group that included his Booker T. & the MG’s band mate Steve Cropper, while Jackson’s son Randall accepted the award, praising his father. ”
The evening ended with the induction of Stax soul duo Sam & Dave. The children of David Prater accepted on behalf of their late father, who died in 1988. Sam Moore, the living half of the duo known as “Double Dynamite” took the stage for a speech that recalled Sam & Dave’s arrival in Memphis and at Stax in the mid-1960s. He then performed a trio of Sam & Dave hits, starting with “I Thank You.”