Few stages in America have witnessed firsthand the massive cultural changes in America as much as the Overton Park Shell in Memphis TN. Also known as the Memphis Open Air Theatre, or simply the Levitt Shell, the stage and supporting structure were built in 1936 and designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice, Lawrence Kocher. The Shell was commissioned by John Willard Brinton as part of his effort to bring culture to the Mid-South and continues to serve as a performance venue for music and theater.
According to the City of Memphis, “In the early 1930s, local business leader John Willard Brinton wanted to bring some culture to Memphis. He was a friend and fan of both Rodin and Wright and took them up on their simultaneous offer: Rodin would provide plaster casts of his works for the city to display, and Wright would design a shell for a new bandstand in Overton Park. The result of their collaboration was the Overton Park Shell, built in 1936.”
Early Attractions at the Memphis Open Air Theatre
In its earliest days of operation, the Memphis Open Air Theatre had a regular program of Sunday afternoon concerts. Some performers during this time included:
- 1936–38 University of Memphis
- 1937 Memphis Girl’s Symphony Orchestra
- 1938 Bon Air Quartet
- 1939 Memphis Boy’s Choir and Girl’s Glee Club
- 1940 Ladies’ Auxiliary of White Station Optimist Club, Women’s Scholarship Association, and the Bon Air Shriners’ Band
Up until 1939, the Shell was managed by Overton Park Playgrounds Association and the Parks Department of the City of Memphis, but transferred to The National Federation of Music Clubs in 1940. In 1942, both organizations gave way to the United Service Organizations (USO), who ran a canteen out of the shell for servicemen up through 1946 to help support the maintenance and operation costs.
Performers during that time included some of the biggest “Big” bands, stage performers, and crooners of the era:
- 1941 Harry James and his Band
- 1942 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, Dorothy Lamour with the Freddy Martin Orchestra, The Jimmy Dorsey Band
- 1943 Bob Crosby and the Bobcats, The Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen and His Band
- 1945 Nat King Cole Trio, Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
- 1946 The Coasters, Louis Armstrong and the Commanders
In 1945, the City of Memphis leased Overton Park to the United States Army for use as a bivouac area. During this time, it was decided that maintaining the shell would be too costly and it would have to be torn down. However, it was spared when the army decided not to proceed with plans for a motor pool in Overton Park. In 1946, they moved out of Overton Park and the shell was restored at a cost of $4,000. In 1947, the Shell became part of an expanded Overton Park after it was given to the city of Memphis by J.W. Brinton.
The first-ever rock and roll show happened at the Shell in Overton Park on July 30, 1954. Elvis’ performance was so amazing that he stole everyone’s’ attention from Slim Whitman who came off as nothing more than “a also rans” to most of the screaming fans watching him perform music they had never heard before!
Decline and Revitalization
The Shell has spent its entire history as a place for people to gather and enjoy themselves, and over the years, there have been several attempts by city officials or others who wanted this space out of existence – but each time something happened just before demolition would start on these buildings!
In 1968-69 Memphis City Council debated whether they should turn over responsibility for managing events at “the jewel” (as locals called it) from private clubs back into government control so that more could be done with marketing potential profits generated through ticket sales…
In 1972 an effort was made near succeeding: The historic jazz club finally met its fate after being barely rescued in same 1972 when it was within days of being razed by the city. The Overton Park Shell’s aging structures were not in much better shape, and both structures were abandoned in 1976. They remained standing but vacant until the 1980s.
However , by 1981, the Memphis City Council decided it would no longer allow any events there and they put out a request for proposals from private entities who wanted to revive and manage this historic space.
In April 1983, Friends of the Overton Park Shell was formed as an all-volunteer nonprofit organization to restore the Shell and raise funds for its maintenance and programming. The preservation of the shell was a major undertaking.
Recognized as a National Treasure
In 1984 the Shell was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With this designation, funds became available to begin restoring and renovating the structure through private contributions and tax-deductible donations by foundations and individuals . The restoration work included: 1) replacing rotted wood in the roof; 2) repairing brick; 3) repainting; 4) installing new lighting; 5) resetting mortar joints; 6) replacing windows that were broken or missing. The restoration was completed on July 19, 1986.
But the Shell wasn’t out of the woods yet…or rather it seemed like more trouble was coming their way towards the end of 1986 through early 1987. There were plans to turn Overton Park into a parking lot for the Memphis Zoo, and the Shell would be torn down along with it! The zoo’s director at that time was quoted in saying that he’d never heard anyone call us by our name, but instead they always said “the public bathrooms” or “the public showers”!
In 1988–89, when they fell vacant again, citizens successfully petitioned to have them refurbished and restored to their original state. The Shell became the focus of much-needed park renovations in 1989, and it continues to be a popular public outdoor performance venue for all kinds of events even today!
In 1990, Overton Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Shelby County, Tennessee. In 1993, work began on restoring the Shell’s stage house and dressing room. The work was funded with $1 million of city bond funds approved by voters in 1988.
Back and Better Than Ever
In 2003, the Overton Park Board commissioned an outdoor music amphitheater feasibility study to be conducted for all three facilities (the Shell, Levitt Shell at Overton Park, and the W.C. Handy Home and Museum). The study found that it had become a valuable asset to community programming, but its acoustics were not adequate. In 2006-2007, more improvements were done – with the Shell being upgraded from hosting mainly small local acts to being able to handle national acts on tour.
In part thanks this transformation, the Shell hosted big-name acts like Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and many others who have left their mark on this historic theater!
The stagehouse has been improved with new backstage equipment. ADA improvements were made to the shell to provide permanent access for audience members in wheelchairs. All three structures were upgraded to better accommodate park activities, and the parking area was reconfigured for additional spaces and improved traffic flow.
In 2008, an Overton Park Master Plan was adopted by City Council and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art opened in February 2009 – further adding to the appeal of events at the Shell!
Still Rockin’ After All These Years
Today, shows at The Shell are hosted by the non-profit Memphis Music Commission, which is now an independent agency of the City of Memphis, and continues to be a popular attraction for local residents and visitors. Overton Bark concerts are free and open to the public and usually take place on Saturday nights during the spring and summer months. The shell continues to host other civic functions, including graduations and events for the West Tennessee Historical Society.
Overton Park Shell Location
The Overton Park Shell is located at the intersection of East Parkway North Drive (formerly Poplar Avenue) and N. Parkway (North 9th St.) in midtown Memphis, across from the old Shelby County courthouse. The Shell is an open-air stage with an area of . It is surrounded by a lawn that can accommodate up to 15,000 people for special events.”
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