It’s the building where the Stax records classic “Knock On Wood” was written but it’s remembered for other reasons
On Wednesday’s episode of Jeopardy, the Final Jeopardy clue came from the category Places in the American Past. The clue read: “It’s the building where the Stax records classic ‘Knock On Wood’ was written but it’s remembered for other reasons.” The question required a connection between a moment in musical history and a much more solemn chapter in American life.
What is the Lorraine Motel?
Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the Lorraine Motel is best known today as the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Though it once served as a haven for Black travelers during segregation and hosted numerous musicians and artists, its identity was permanently shaped by that tragic event. The building now houses the National Civil Rights Museum.
A Site Steeped in Musical History
Before it became a landmark of the civil rights movement, the Lorraine Motel played a quiet yet notable role in American music. In the 1960s, it served as a home base for musicians recording at Stax Records, a major center for soul music just a short distance away. The song “Knock On Wood,” written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper, was created at the motel and became a major hit in 1966.
Musicians often stayed at the Lorraine because it was welcoming to Black artists and visitors during a time when such accommodations were difficult to find due to Jim Crow laws. In this way, the motel provided not just a place to sleep, but a creative and safe environment for collaboration and artistic development.
The Lorraine Motel and the Civil Rights Movement
The motel’s historical significance shifted dramatically in 1968, when Dr. King was staying there while supporting a sanitation workers’ strike in Memphis. He was standing on the balcony outside room 306 when he was fatally shot. The image of that balcony, with its wreath and now-preserved setting, became a defining symbol of the civil rights struggle.
In the decades since, the Lorraine Motel has been transformed into a place of reflection and education. The National Civil Rights Museum opened at the site in 1991 and has since expanded into a comprehensive institution chronicling the history of civil rights in America, from slavery and segregation to modern-day justice efforts.
Preserving the Past for Future Generations
The museum retains much of the original structure, including Dr. King’s motel room, which has been carefully preserved. Visitors can view historical exhibits, interactive media, and witness how the site has been integrated into a larger narrative about racial justice and resistance. The surrounding grounds and attached buildings offer insight into both the assassination and the broader fight for equality.
While the motel’s place in music history remains a lesser-known fact, it adds dimension to the site’s legacy. “Knock On Wood” and other Stax creations reflect the cultural richness of Memphis at the time—a contrast to the tragedy that would later define the Lorraine Motel for generations to come.
A Landmark That Speaks Across Time
The Lorraine Motel is more than a single-purpose monument. It tells overlapping stories—of musical innovation, racial inequality, and national reckoning. The Jeopardy clue brought attention to both its creative roots and its place in the fight for civil rights. From the rhythms of soul music to the echoes of a gunshot that changed history, the building endures as a testament to both human expression and the struggle for justice.