Pee Wee Saloon and W. C. Handy
Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee
Marker Inscription
Pee Wee Saloon (P. Wee Saloon) Pee Wee's Saloon was the favorite meeting spot for Memphis musicians in the early 20th century. W.C. Handy used the cigar counter to write out copies of the Beale Street Blues for his band members. One of those songs, written for the 1909 political campaign was first named "Mr. Crump," for the Memphis mayor and political boss. Later with new lyrics it became famous as "The Memphis Blues."
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission
The Story
In the first decades of the twentieth century, Pee Wee's Saloon on Beale Street was the informal headquarters of Memphis's musicians, a place to swap news and find work. There W.C. Handy leaned on the cigar counter to copy out parts for his band, including a 1909 campaign tune written for mayoral boss E.H. Crump that, with new words, became the celebrated 'Memphis Blues.' The song helped carry a raw local sound into the national songbook.
Why it matters
Beale Street was the crucible where the blues moved from folk tradition to published American music, largely through Black musicians like Handy.
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Related people
- · W.C. Handy
- · E.H. Crump
Related events
- · Composition of the Memphis Blues
Themes & tags
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