Radian Partners Brings Fine Art of Rock Home to Memphis, Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll

MEMPHIS, TN--(Marketwired - Apr 22, 2016) - The Fine Art of Rock is coming home to Memphis for display in the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll beginning today courtesy of Memphis-based Radian Partners, LLC.

Radian Partners founder Larry J. Tolbert today announced a series of private shows and a public exhibition at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum that will feature selections from one of the nation's largest private collections of original album cover illustrations and rock band photography.

"Memphis has forged a legacy built on the talents of legendary Delta blues men, cotton pickers, truck drivers, country yodelers and those who lifted their voices in praise from the choirs on Sundays. This is where Rock 'n' Roll was born," said Tolbert. "At Radian, we help clients create lasting legacies. That's why Radian is thrilled to spotlight the Fine Art of Rock here where the genres which gave rise to rock music are celebrated."

Grammy-nominated creative director Ernie Cefalu, whose collection includes his own iconic work, such as The Rolling Stones wagging tongue logo and the angels logo for Jesus Christ Superstar, plans to attend the events and discuss the works.

Between 1971 and 1985, Cefalu and the team at his Pacific Eye & Ear agency created memorable album cover illustrations, captured remarkable behind-the-scenes photographs and developed stunning posters for a who's who of the music industry. Clients included Earth Wind & Fire; Black Sabbath; Alice Cooper; Tony Orlando & Dawn; Canned Heat; Jefferson Airplane; The Bee Gees; Mary Travers; Quincy Jones; The Marshall Tucker Band; Iron Butterfly and Black Oak Arkansas, among others.

Through the years, Cefalu and his team received three Grammy nominations for album cover art and 10 Music Hall of Fame Awards as well as 25 gold records and one triple platinum album from the musicians with whom they collaborated.

Cefalu plans to bring more than 100 pieces to Memphis, including signed originals from Pacific Eye & Ear veterans such as Drew Struzan, who has become widely recognized and collected over the years for his Star Wars movie posters.

"The great thing about having a one-of-a-kind collection is being able to share pieces of art and the stories behind the art with others," said Cefalu, who resides in the Los Angeles area.

A series of private Fine Art of Rock events begin today and continue through the end of the month. The public exhibition at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum will begin later this spring and summer after the conclusion of a separate exhibit which celebrates the work of photographer Jack Robinson of Memphis. Jack Robinson: Portraits 1958-72 showcases an eclectic array of music, fashion and film star portraits Robinson shot during his years as a preeminent photographer based in New York City.

John Doyle, executive director of the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, said the Fine Art of Rock exhibit is a perfect fit for a museum dedicated to sharing the history of music.

"This is the kind of exhibit which helps us keep the story of Memphis music fresh and alive," said Doyle. "It offers new visitors to the museum an added bonus and creates a new opportunity for visitors who have been here before to come back again."

The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum grew from an exhibition created by the Smithsonian Institution which tells the story of the musical pioneers who for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.

The Museum is located at 191 Beale Street, on the corner of legendary Highway 61 and the FedEx Forum sports campus.
Selected works from the Fine Art of Rock exhibition are available for sale.

About Radian Partners

Radian Partners, founded in 2004, operates from offices in Memphis and Franklin in Tennessee. For more information, check us out at www.radianpartners.net. The firm is widely known for its financial education courses offered regularly in Middle and West Tennessee, most often through its association with the University of Tennessee, Martin Office of Extended Campus and Online Studies, among other colleges and universities.

Securities, insurance and advisory services offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC. Additional insurance services offered through Radian Partners which is not affiliated with FSC Securities. The offices of Radian Partners are located in Suite 150, 6060 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, and may be reached by phone at (901) 202-3909.