Elvis Presley First Record Store Poplar Tunes Memphis Spa Guy

[@Cigar65]

I' ve been to Lauderdale Courts twice. Now after watching this I realize I have to go back again and have me another look, this time a better one.

[@mikebottiaux5850]

You’ve taught me a lot about Elvis!

[@garynicholson8004]

This really brings the Legend to life...thanks Spa Guy.......great work

[@markstroeh6997]

nice work, sir. love elvis and love what you do.

[@lisarose7138]

I love this channel 💗 love seeing all the Elvis stuff. It looks like a poor neighborhood 😪 rags to riches

[@markanderson1668]

your attention to detail and walking the steps Elvis did is so awesome. please keep them coming. mark

[@SpaGuy]

Mark when I was a kid and read all of the stories I had to imagine in my head Lauderdale Courts and all of the other places.. Now I go to these places and bring the stories to life so they become more real and I take a camera along so these stories can become more real for my friends too.. I knew the record store was close so I decided I would follow the trail of what I thought a young Elvis would walk to the store and imagined it all happening.. I think that makes a great story and helps all of us to be more inside the story instead of just a bystander.. Thanks for watching, Spa Guy

[@plmillerda]

You put a lot of time and energy into these videos.. they are fantastic!

[@kazfleszar5899]

Spàguy you made elviis more real , thanks.

[@MrBigdavehd97]

I love your attention to detail,I have a bond with Elvis too I think we all do!

[@peggybuch9485]

Love ur videos. Walking were Elvis did, love it. God Bless u Spa Guy, ur awesome!

[@steveomusicman6645]

well, love this , of course...Brilliant! : )

[@elizabethf1591]

Thank you, much appreciated .🎸⭐

[@sandramaggard2962]

Nostalgia, this remind's me where I use to buy all of my record's back in the day when you could buy album's and just a 45 with a song on each side. All of my record's were Elvis record's of course I had all of his gospel album's, his gospel music was my favorite but being an Elvis fan I loved all of his music. Ty for sharing. I alway's enjoy your video's.

[@swinde]

I spent a lot of time at Poplar Tunes. It was the only store at the time that had "demo" copies of all of the current albums as well as older ones from popular artists that you could play to decide if you liked the album. They would give you a new sealed album when you purchased it. They ALSO had practically EVERY album ever recorded in stock, not just the latest hits. They distributed to the entire "Mid-South" area as well. The owner's name was pronounced phonetically as Joe Coo-gee. (G as in geese). At least that is the way George Klein pronounced it.

[@TV-np9yp]

Thank you so much for this information. I was at this building one year ago and like many, I’m sure, was made to believe that was the original building. I’m so happy to be enlightened by this video and to know the real history. I love your informative videos. I think I’m well educated in Elvis but you have definitely made me even more educated and I feel privileged to learn so much more accurate history 👏

[@jarraboxer4507]

Love watching your Elvis videos here in England.....keep em coming pal👍🏻

[@marywrobleski3105]

You are very talented. Thank you for the videos and attention to detail. I did not know about Poplar Records.

[@electricgeorge5589]

Videos are great a lot of time and effort, Thank you

[@SpaGuy]

Thank You Electric George...

[@jeffholliday8304]

I was born and raised in Memphis I had a friend of the family by Me the Woodstock album when I was 10 years old At Popular tunes

[@karenkoontz581]

So good and thank you!

[@matthewhutchinson4999]

Mr. Spa Guy, another amazing video. Please keep them coming!! Thank you very much.

[@stephengregory8152]

Spa guy your videos are great I really enjoyed watching them I was born and raised in Memphis and been here all my life so I know about a lot of the things that you've discovered

[@rickypierce2790]

I would think the blue footprints would represent Elvis' blue suede shoes.

[@RadioHamGuy]

Great videos, just found your videos recently and enjoying them, much better than a tour bus, keep up the great work, we all appreciate this very much. Much better than TV also.

[@r.d.g.7877]

to hear u tell it(n my mind)...Mr. Martin Luther King was not the only one who had "A Dream".... Elvis sitting on that "stoop" playing guitar, singing (practicing.... knowing how fantastic he can be... leaning forward up on ball of foot in shoes, twisting, shaking.... using eyes, voice, lip etc to become one of the world favorite entertaining show on this here planet...... so far, thank u

[@uncjim]

Love the image of Elvis perusing the LPs. Harry Belafonte was a big deal then. My folks bought the album Elvis appears to be looking at. In the lower right is an image of Elvis’s second album (and the very first one I ever owned) “Elvis”. What a treat this is and what a gem you are Spa Guy.

[@Rita_654]

Another great video Spa Guy ❤ I am thinking of hiring a Segway when I visit Memphis next year with my doughter. Maybe we will visit this place. A lot of history round Lauderdale, it's a big building. I believe Lamar mentioned that Gladys' really liked it there. Sometimes I miss the old things like a telephonecell and record stores were you put a headphone on and listen to the new records. Sadly most record stores are gone now in the Netherlands. Take care Spa Guy ❤

[@davidgibbs7232]

Great.The photo of Elvis looking at records appeared on the cover of the July 2017 UK magazine Record Collector and strangely someone had doctored it to show the cover of the Elvis inspired 1978 album London Calling by the Clash.It is on the bottom shelf to Elvis, right leg.Funny how you notice little things like this.

[@SpaGuy]

That is interesting.. We all have great imaginations don't we.. I imagine Elvis would like the Clash.. Thanks for watching, Spa Guy

[@retrowb3982]

Fantastic work my friend! I feel like I am right there. Please keep these videos coming. Excellent history work along with photos..before and after shots. Superb SpaGuy!

[@SpaGuy]

Thanks for watching.. I enjoy making these and it brings the stores to life for me as well.. Spa Guy

[@elvisfan6475]

Another fantastic video spa guy

[@robjames3864]

I just got back from Memphis and took a tour. They told us just across where the freeway is from Lauderdale Courts is, where a young married BB King lived. He was about 10 years older than Elvis. Their paths never did cross back in the day.

[@sandramaggard2962]

B B King knew and met Elvis from what I understand? I could be wrong but B B did a video about Elvis and he genuinely liked him.

[@robjames3864]

@@sandramaggard2962 That must of been at Sun Records later on. My original post should of been written clearer.

[@sandramaggard2962]

@@robjames3864 Thank you. I saw B B King in Tulsa, Oklahoma and he was great.

[@robjames3864]

@@sandramaggard2962 I never did see BB. I did make it to his club on Beale Street..Great music and great food.

[@MrMikepresley]

I heard he actually practised guitar in the laundry room, I was quiet there. There were too many complaints from neighbors in the apartment about his playing.

[@ryan.moulton]

I lived at The Courts for 4 years and right above the Presley unit.... same hallway, same front and rear door, same view. Always walked over to Pop Tunes. Sadly gone now...a fast food Chinese now. Shocking.

[@cdd4248]

I have to Catch My Breath every time I hear about something special and important being torn down. It really does feel devastating.

[@barbaraprivate7081]

Barbara private great clip billy to be remembered great times back at the units where u stayed billy it must have felt good to be in the same room way to go Elvis looks great in army unform holding the gun or rifle

[@cherieallen2539]

R D.G. you got the date wrong how could you ,? Lol it's Jan.8 1935. Not 1934 🎸🎶⚡🕶️👍

[@vashsant]

Great to see.

[@stephengregory8152]

My dad and I went to pop tunes in 1969 and I purchased two albums at that time so I know very well the store that you're talking about in your video

[@joewolfy0074]

cool video!

[@lynells3060]

Thanks for sharing Mr. Mark. Like the previous video at Lauderdale Courts. Sad that the original Poplar Tunes was torn down. It doesn't look like Lauderdale Courts is in a very good part of Memphis.

[@mrDCunningham]

Before Bill Black pasted away he put Bobby Tucker "my 2nd cousin" in control of the Bill Black Combo. They toured with the Beatles on the 2nd US tour in 1964. Bobby has a used Bus Lot on 55 in W Memphis. If you ever want to talk to him. Let me know. He was good friends with Bill and actually gave him a recorder machine that was in Sun records. It would be a good vlog and maybe he could get his friend Bill Haney (one if the first Elvis impersonatore) to do a vlog. I love your vlogs 👍

[@SpaGuy]

David I would most certainly be interested in interviewing them. my email is [e-mail]

[@kevinjena42012]

Love ur videos

[@clifffor1179]

Can't believe they tore down the original record store to build a filling station but at least there is something to mark that bit of history and the tour of the surrounding area even as it is now gives a good picture of what it would have been like for young Elvis living there. I like the way you didn't make the storm the story. For most people that would be a video about trees blowing down and power cuts but you just scooted on through to tell story.

[@TheElvisWorkshop]

On the opposite side of the street, catty corner from Pop Tunes is an Exxon station. This was the former location of Crown Electric. It makes sense after learning that. He more than likely walked around the neighborhood looking for work, & landed the job at Crown. It worked for him because he could easily walk to, & from work.

[@SpaGuy]

Richard that is a good possibility the only issue is when he worked for Crown it was not there is was further away on 475 N Dunlap Street which was still in walking distance before I-40 was there it was about a mile away or so.. I know they moved Crown to Poplar where you are talking about but can't nail down a date as to when.. Also the story that is always told is not completely accurate Elvis did not work at Crown when he made the first or second acetate but did the first day He must Scotty and recorded That's Alright Mama.. He was actually unemployed the first time he walked into Sun.. You are correct that he lived at Alabama Ave which was in walking distance but he did have a car or access to a car at the time he went to see Scotty because his apartment was about 7 miles away and it was a Sunday afternoon when no buses were running.. I did the same as you and tried to put together a timeline reason versus placement and couldn't make a case of it.. Spa Guy

[@TheElvisWorkshop]

Spa Guy on point about Crown. The old myth is that he drove his Crown truck to Sun to record. Didn't happen like that at all. The timeline doesn't match.

[@SpaGuy]

You Got it.. That has always bothered me that it was told like that and not accurate.. I plan on doing a story on it to dispel the myth but could cause trouble too.. lol.. I added you the thing we were talking about.. The only reason I knew any of that Richard was I have recently studied it to see what the timeline looked like and it didn't add up.. You will get an email invitation..

[@r.d.g.7877]

ok mr. SpaGuy, i can't hold it in any longer... I've figured it out.... on a personal means of entertainment that i have leaned to be entertained (what the heck am i meaning(lol))(forsure not sexual thoughts etc never and fir never have and do not and will not "roll" that-a-way!... feel me lol sure u do brother.) ....you are #2. my main man Elvis Aron Mr. Presley/Wallace being number 1 ...men love in my/ this life i share with the world! i love u both and at the end of a days work... your my entertainment. shoEnuff dig u and your team, finding info on the best; simply simple, Natural, Real everybodies personal entertainer of the world that started/BEGAIN.... 01/08/1934 and will never end(well of course til i die🤔hummmm I'm 62(yeah, a 57model).... i feel i got a ways to go befo im outta her'a😉😎) thank u so very much! also please thank your wife, kids, animals, etc., ... for allowing you to be away from them to be with us....🎼🎵🎶🎙️🎸stay healthy w😉

[@natserog]

great!! i missed the photo near the end of him standing where that blue footprint is??

[@SpaGuy]

That photo is on the Lauderdale Courts Video..

[@natserog]

good deal! --thanks

[@natserog]

We went to Graceland last year...was amazing. That back office where Elvis did that TV interview after getting out of the service was interesting. I wish they would let you do one in there showing the photo of him at desk.

[@swinde]

5:07 From the picture it seems that the store moved to the other building when the original building was demolished. If you look to the right in this photograph on your phone, they even have the logo on the building to the right. It would be interesting to learn the date of this photo. It is blocked off to the right on your phone. When did they actually close the store on Poplar?

[@MrMikepresley]

Those blue-footprints were part of the Blue Suede shoes history trail from the 90's, the city did that for guiding tourists to safe historic areas.

[@zacharybroome3062]

Does anyone know what was Elvis' first record he ever bought at popular tunes?

[@ajsmith5295]

I bought" baby let's play house" the 50th anniversary copy gold vinyl from the original store

[@nancychartrand7808]

i was just wondering before you turned to go through the gates where the blue foot prints are ,,there was a church you passed ,,was it there in Elvis days there

[@Caligirl59]

Maybe blue footprints mean blue suede shoes

[@mariafairchild4776]

That's a long walk .

[@jimclarke1108]

Long walk to the record store, are you sure he parked so far away?

[@SpaGuy]

Jim thats not where he parked it is where he lived.. He lived there from age 14 to almost 18 and bought his first record at that store that close to his home..

[@jimclarke1108]

cool, i forgot my old timers medication )))

[@jaynalulBenji]

TCB ⚡️

[@Sp-lv5jx]

he moved eventually across the street to Alabama Avenue which is where they built the expressway

[@SpaGuy]

Yes Santino They did build a highway through there but Alabama Ave is still there and I did shoot some footage of about where the house was that I will put out in an upcoming video about everywhere he lived in Memphis..

[@hallyl7642]

It's not safe to walk by yourself outside those gates. Glad you are okay.

[@SpaGuy]

Haley Thanks for your concern I am always prepared lets just say that as Elvis was.. Thanks for watching, Spa Guy

[@HotOneRecordz]

Spa Guy good

[@swinde]

It is really not that bad. I lived in Memphis for 44 years and drove a service truck that took me to ALL of the more "dangerous" areas of the city. There were places where if you parked the truck in the "wrong lot" near your client, it was likely to be broken into, and that happened to another employee of the company. That was in the 70s and 80s and I know that things have deteriorated some since then, but even back then many people were overly frightened by the media that made it seem like it was worse than it actually was. It is pretty safe in daylight if you are not looking for trouble.

[@r.d.g.7877]

@@SpaGuy hahahah i feel ya man

[@Wooley689]

So these are the projects I take it.

[@avaparker9007]

Im sorry but the box they we're leaning on was dated 1953..

[@SpaGuy]

What does that have t do with anything?

[@oyatewakiyan3748]

PROGRESS RUINS HISTORY

[@kungpuk5186]

why are u beepin'?

[@SpaGuy]

It is my Segway that I am riding beeping telling me to slow down..

[@r.d.g.7877]

hahaha

[@harrymarshall]

,, if ep was alive today he coulda ended up working at Subway n dying of obesity 🕊️🤍✨✨

[@clifffor1179]

Can't believe they tore down the original record store to build a filling station but at least there is something to mark that bit of history and the tour of the surrounding area even as it is now gives a good picture of what it would have been like for young Elvis living there. I like the way you didn't make the storm the story. For most people that would be a video about trees blowing down and power cuts but you just scooted on through to tell story.