The Memphis Music Hall of Fame celebrated its first group of 25 influential figures 12 years ago at an exciting event. They honored legends from different eras and music styles, such as Elvis Presley, ZZ Top, and Three 6 Mafia.
Over the years, many other musicians who recorded, taught, and performed in Memphis have been added to the Hall of Fame. Notable inductees include Justin Timberlake, Tina Turner, and Carla Thomas.
This year marks a milestone as the Hall welcomes its 100th member, with nine new inductees. Among them are soul singer Wilson Pickett, rapper and producer Jazze Pha, and Jack Soden. Soden worked with Elvis Presley’s former wife, Priscilla Presley, to transform Graceland into a tourist attraction in 1982, five years after the singer’s death in Memphis at age 42.
Priscilla Presley stands next to Jack Soden (Via Mia Johnson/Getty Images)
Today, Graceland, once Elvis’ home and now a museum, remains a popular American tourist destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to Memphis.
In announcing its 2024 class, the Hall of Fame highlighted Soden’s pivotal role in opening Graceland to the public despite financial challenges. Under his leadership, Graceland expanded from a museum on its original 13-acre property to a large entertainment complex. This complex includes a soundstage, exhibition spaces, restaurants, and a 450-room hotel.
The Hall of Fame praised Soden for his stewardship, noting that Graceland under his guidance has had a significant economic impact on Memphis, generating $200 million annually. In the early 1980s, Graceland faced financial strain due to high estate and inheritance taxes on Elvis Presley’s estate.
