MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – For 34 years, blues musicians like the late Lightnin’ Hopkins have been honored with induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis.
Just one problem: There was no actual hall – no museum packed with artifacts and memorabilia, no place where blues fans could visit and learn about their favorite performer. It was a “cryin’ shame,” to borrow one of Hopkins’ lyrics.
On Friday, the Blues Foundation will officially open the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis. Foundation president Jay Sieleman says the foundation built the Blues Hall of Fame after raising nearly $3 million, finally providing a destination where blues legends can be properly honored for their work in the uniquely American music genre.
“Aw, man, I’m so proud to be living long enough to see this thing come along,” said veteran Mississippi bluesman Bobby Rush, a 2006 inductee who says his age is somewhere between 75 and 81. “You can walk through it, feeling like you were there when the music was done.”
Founded in 1980, the nonprofit foundation has inducted more than 140 performers and dozens of non-performers into the Hall of Fame, and acquired numerous songs, albums and pieces of literature. Yearly inductions have been accompanied by an awards ceremony.