Bill Lucy (1933–2024), 1960s labor leader, civil rights activist

Bill Lucy was a labor leader and civil rights activist best known for his work during and after the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike. 

Jimmy Van Eaton (1937–2024), drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis and others

Jimmy Van Eaton was a drummer in the early days of rock ‘n roll, recording with the likes of , , and others at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.

Elmore Nickleberry (1931–2023), 1968 Memphis sanitation strike worker 

Elmore Nickleberry was a sanitation worker and activist who took part in the 1968 strikes in Memphis, Tennessee, and marched alongside to fight for better working conditions and pay.

Bobby “Bingo” Smith (1946–2023), Cleveland Cavaliers all-time great

Bobby “Bingo” Smith was an all-time great for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers who was part of the Miracle of Richfield squad and had his number retired.

Wayne Swinny (1963–2023), founding member of Saliva

Wayne Swinny was on tour with the Memphis hard rock band Saliva when he suffered a brain hemorrhage at the age of 59. Swinny was a founding member and the last remaining original member of the Grammy-nominated band, which has released 10 albums and has had 17 top 40 hits on the U.S. Mainstream Rock charts, including five songs that went top 10.

Jim Stewart (1930–2022), Stax Records co-founder

Jim Stewart was a record producer who co-founded the iconic Memphis label Stax Records.

Snootie Wild (1985–2022), rapper known for “Yayo”

Snootie Wild was a rapper known for songs including his 2013 hit “Yayo.”

Howard Grimes (1941–2022), drummer for Al Green, Ann Peebles

Howard Grimes was a drummer with the Memphis soul session band the Hi Rhythm Section, who backed singers including Al Green and Ann Peebles.

W.S. “Fluke” Holland (1935–2020), drummer for Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins

W.S. “Fluke” Holland was a drummer who played for and , including on classic songs such as “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Ring of Fire.”

Andre Emmett (1982–2019), Texas Tech basketball legend

Andre Emmett was a basketball legend at Texas Tech University. Playing under head coach Bobby Knight, Emmett was their second all-time leading scorer and an All-American selection in 2004. He was drafted No. 35 overall by the Seattle SuperSonics and traded to the Memphis Grizzlies but only played in a handful of NBA games. He then played internationally and recently was a star in the BIG3 league, finishing second in scoring last season.

Baxter Leach (2019), helped organize 1968 Memphis sanitation strike

Leach became the public face of the sanitation workers in later years, sharing their story around the country.

George Klein (1935–2019), Memphis DJ and friend of Elvis Presley

He met Elvis in high school and the two remained lifelong friends.

Ruby Wilson (1948 - 2016), singer known as the Queen of Beale Street

Ruby Wilson, the singer known as the Queen of Beale Street, died Aug. 12, 2016, according to multiple news sources. She was 68.

Wayne Jackson (1941 - 2016), Memphis Horns trumpet player

Wayne Jackson, the trumpet player and one-half of the legendary Memphis Horns that backed hit records by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and others, died June 21, 2016.

Koopsta Knicca (1975–2015), Memphis rapper

Rapper and founding member of Three 6 Mafia.

MLK: I've Been to the Mountaintop

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his final address April 3, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He and members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference were in the city to support an ongoing strike by sanitation workers, the focus of a large portion of the sermon. King gives equal weight to the ongoing nature of the struggle for human rights and the paramount importance of nonviolence for the survival of humanity.

The Songs of Isaac Hayes

As a singer, —who died Aug. 10, 2008—achieved many of his greatest hits by interpreting songs other people had written. "Walk on By" and "The Look of Love," along with many other songs Hayes recorded, were written by Burt Bacharach and . "Let's Stay Together" was first made famous by its songwriter, Al Green. Clifton Davis's "Never Can Say Goodbye" was recorded by before Isaac Hayes took it on.

The Exciting Wilson Pickett

Wilson Pickett, born on this day in 1941, helped shape the sound of R&B with his energetic hits.

Breast Cancer Doc

Dr. Raza Ali Dilawari, who worked to fight breast cancer, was considered the premier surgical oncologist in the mid-South.

Johnny Cash (1932–2003), legendary musician known as “The Man in Black"

His signature songs included "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues."