Twenty-five musicians whose music has become synonymous with the city of Memphis were inducted in the inaugural Memphis Music Hall of Fame on Thursday night.
The ceremony kicked off with the gospel roots of Memphis music and concluded with a performance by Dusty Hill of ZZ Top singing an Elvis Presley classic, "Jailhouse Rock."
Gospel composer Lucie Campbell was the first honored with the telling of her career's highlights paired with a photo slideshow of her life. Honorary award presentations to those who represented the late High school bandmaster William T. McDaniel, guitarist Memphis Minnie and disc jockey and columnist Nat D. Williams followed.
Former Sun Studios owner Sam Phillips and blues legend Howlin' Wolf were honored with archived video footage.
The first performance of the night came from the children of Rufus Thomas, who sang a rendition of "Memphis Train." Two of Otis Redding's sons performed several of his most known songs including "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay."
Henry Juszkiewicz, chief executive officer of Gibson Guitar, shared his favorite memories of B.B. King, known for his consistently recognizable blues guitar style.
When he was on a flight to Japan, he said, a stewardess was wearing a B.B. King lapel pin. She told him B.B. King had recently flown on her plane and played an hour and a half concert for some economy passengers who requested a song.
Bluesman Bobby Blue Bland gave a passionate performance where he told the guitarist during the guitar solo, "take your time son."
Jazz alto saxophonist George Coleman played an intricate jazz arrangement accompanied by a piano as his leg swung to the beat.
Priscilla Presley spoke in a pre-recorded video on behalf of Elvis Presley.
"Although he received many [honors], being honored by his hometown would have meant so much to him," she said.
Steve Cropper, guitarist for Booker T. and the M.G.'s, covered Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour."
After the final chord was struck, the inductees took the stage with their families to receive their awards. The first Memphis Music Hall of Fame is the start of a long tradition of honoring the iconic music made in and inspired by the Bluff City.
