Two-night concert to aid ailing beacon of Lamplighter

Photo by Don Perry, Don Perry

Jack Yarber (Jack Oblivian) has made his own brand of Memphis music for years and developed a following among garage-rock aficionados and in Europe.

In any arts or music scene there are certain people who serve a special purpose. They may not play an instrument or write songs or paint pictures, but they're as much a fabric of the creative community as anyone.

Shirley Williams with local rock photographer Don Perry.

Jeffrey James and the Haul

Bulletproof Vests

The Angel Sluts

Snowglobe

Impala

Don Perry

Jack Oblivian

Bob Bayne

Robby Grant

John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives

In Memphis, in Midtown, for its artists and musicians, that person is Shirley Williams.

The iconic bartender at the cozy dive, The Lamplighter, Williams began working there in the early '70s and over the decades she's come to occupy a special place for scores of local artisans, acting as a friend, counselor and confidante. "On many a dark night Shirley's smiling face has been a bright light," says music critic and filmmaker Robert Gordon, a longtime patron who used the Lamplighter as the setting for the Cat Power "Lived in Bars" music video he directed several years ago. "In those moments, Shirley's always shined through and kept us on a steady diet of beer and burgers."

In August, however, Williams developed serious health problems. She's battled her condition while continuing to work, but treatments have forced her to occasionally miss shifts and threatens to force her to lose touch with the clients who've been her second family for so long.

Now, a group of her regular patrons are banding together to help Williams. This weekend, the Hi-Tone Café is hosting "For The Love of Shirley," a two-night benefit concert event featuring performances from a host of notable Memphis acts, including Jack Oblivian and the Tearjerkers, Impala, and Snowglobe, among others.

On Tuesday, the notoriously press- and photo-shy Williams -- a smiling, matronly figure affectionately addressed as "Miss Shirley" -- was at her usual post at The Lamplighter, talking about her years behind the bar. The Lamp itself is a historic hole-in-the-wall: Founded in 1932, it's the oldest continuously operating bar in Memphis.

An East Memphis native, Williams discovered the Lamp in 1972, and began working there the following year. "The area was a lot different back then," she says, describing how the location at the corner of Madison and Belvedere used to look some 37 years ago, dotted with long-forgotten spots like the Southern Frontier nightclub.

In the late '70s, Ann Bradley, the Lamplighter's current owner, purchased the bar.

"Shirley worked there before I bought it," says Bradley. "And she's always been a special part of the place; I think that she's the greatest."

Although Williams eventually left the bar to take a manufacturing job for a time, she remained a patron. In 1988, she returned to the Lamplighter full-time, and she's been working there ever since, becoming a familiar face for scores of Memphians.

"Shirley's a fixture," says Lamplighter regular Scott Rogers, guitarist with the Perfect Fits and The Dranks, and one of the benefit concert event's organizers. "For at least a couple generations, Shirley's been a consistent and pretty important part of their lives. I mean, you can't meet her and not love her."

Over the years Williams has gained a celebrity clientele, from filmmaker Craig Brewer to musicians like Alex Chilton and Jack White. Famed Memphis photographer William Eggleston might be her most famous regular. Though she banned Eggleston from the bar years ago for throwing a burger at her, the two remain friendly and Eggleston still calls to check on Williams -- such is her charm.

Over the years, under Williams' watch, The Lamplighter developed a hip rock and roll cache, serving as the backdrop for several music videos and becoming a requisite stop for touring bands.

In addition to serving beer, Williams' handmade "Shirley" burgers have also become a culinary attraction, earning praise in national magazines like SPIN.

When word of Williams' health problems began to circulate in August, Rogers and his Dranks bandmate Cort Williams hatched the idea for a benefit concert to help defray Williams' mounting medical bills. Enlisting the help of local music writer Andria Lisle, they were able to quickly pull together a lineup of top-tier Memphis acts, from country-roots band John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives to indie-pop outfit Vending Machine.

"We tried to get a diverse group of bands, so that people who like all sorts of music would come out and support Miss Shirley," says Rogers. "All of those bands are people that hang out at the Lamplighter and they all love Miss Shirley. It was easy to do because everyone wanted to help; in fact, we had more bands than we could even find room for in two nights."

For those who can't attend but want to aid Williams, Rogers notes that people can go to the Hi-Tone Web site (hitonememphis.com) and still purchase a ticket. "It's the equivalent of a $10 donation," says Rogers, "and all the money goes directly to Shirley." Rogers adds that they may hold another smaller benefit show at a more intimate setting like the Buccaneer, later this year or early next.

For now though, there's considerable excitement about the "For The Love of Shirley" benefit event, mainly because Williams -- who almost never goes out -- plans to attend the Friday show with her family. "All my regulars tell me they're going to the show just to see if I'm going to be there," she says, laughing.

For Williams, the decision to attend Friday's gig was an easy one, as headliner Jack Oblivian has been a longtime Lamplighter patron. "I've known Jack for 20 years, and I've never seen him play; that's why I got Friday off. After all this time, I figure I should go see if he's any good," says Williams, with a chuckle.

While the benefit will continue with a second concert on Saturday night, Williams will be back at the Lamplighter then, working the bar, doing what she has for so long, serving beer, burgers and bonhomie. "I think it's real nice what they're doing," says Williams of the event in her honor. "I've been lucky 'cause I've met so many nice people working here all these years."

For The Love of Shirley: A benefit concert for Shirley Williams

Friday and Saturday at the Hi-Tone Café, 1913 Poplar Ave. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Friday: Jack Oblivian and the Tearjerkers, John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives, Impala, The Angel Sluts

Saturday:Snowglobe, Greg Cartwright, Jeffrey James & The Haul, Robby Grant of Vending Machine, Bulletproof Vests.

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