Memphis Pop Culture

Memphis's music heart has inspired dozens of books and movies. Famous novels set in Memphis include John Grisham's "The Firm" and "The Client," Peter Taylor's "A Summons to Memphis," and Ann Patchett's "Taft." Then, of course, there are the innumerable Elvis biographies, each one more salacious than the next. Many of Tennessee Williams works are also set in Memphis. Movies set in Memphis include Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," Wong Kar Wai's drama "My Blueberry Nights," John Grisham adaptation "The Firm," and Jerry Lee Lewis biopic "Great Balls of Fire." As for musicians—well, you got all afternoon? There's Elvis, of course. Then you also have Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Muddy Waters, Jerry Lee Lewis, BB King, Al Green and Isaac Hayes. We could go on like this...Contemporary Memphis has a great music scene, too. Some modern-day Memphis musicians include Justin Timberlake, rappers Three 6 Mafia and hip hoppers 8Ball & MJG.