Chris Shaw
Ori Naftaly of the band Southern Avenue inducting John Lee Hooker into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame
The Memphis Music Hall of Fame announced their new inductees to the 2016 class earlier today at Lafayette’s Music Room. Six inductees were added to the Hall, bringing the total number of members to 60.
The first inductee at the fifth year anniversary of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame was American opera legend Margueritte Piazza. Piazza’s career included performances on Broadway and the New York City Opera, and she was also known for her philanthropy involving St Jude.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Inductees
Second in the induction ceremony was blues legend John Lee Hooker. The Hook was a blues superstar who’s career stretched over half a century, and his songs “Crawling King Snake” and “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” are some of the best blues songs ever written.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Inductees (2)
Third in the induction ceremony was William Bell, the Stax singer and composer who is still at it, having recently finished This is Where I Live, his new album produced by John Leventhal.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Inductees (3)
Saxophonist Charles Lloyd was the fourth inductee. Lloyd’s 42nd album, 2015’s I Long to See You features guest appearances from Willie Nelson and Nora Jones. As a teenager, Lloyd gigged around town with the likes of George Coleman, Howlin’ Wolf and B.B. King.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Inductees (4)
The Hi Rhythm Section got the fifth induction slot, and they also received the most applause following their induction announcement. Under the direction of Willie Mitchell, the Hi Rhythm section played with Al Green, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay and Syl Johnson.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Inductees (5)
The final induction at Thursday’s ceremony went to Sam “The Sham” Samudio, the Memphis legend behind the hit “Wooly Bully.” Besides being behind one of the most legendary party songs of all time, Samudio and his band The Nightriders were the house band at the Memphis club The Diplomat before burning up the charts with their signature brand of Tex-Mex fried rock.
Memphis Music Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Inductees (6)