Memphis native known for his extensive and diverse contributions in music,
radio, real estate, and community
activism.
Born August 1, 1952,
he is a respected musician and composer whose songs
"In Memphis" and "One
Last Bridge"
were adopted by the Memphis City Council as
the official songs of Memphis in 1990 and 1991.
His
music manuscripts are preserved in the Library of Congress,
and he has performed at renowned venues such as
Steinway Hall in both London and New York.
Musical and Radio Career
David Saks began his broadcasting
career at age 17,
volunteering at the University of Memphis campus radio station in 1969.
He
is known for his on-air presence, especially on WUMR,
where he curated jazz and related musical styles.
Over
his five-decade radio career,
he played a pivotal role at several Memphis stations and
contributed to community music education.
Real Estate and Community Advocacy
Apart from his musical achievements,
Saks is a licensed real estate professional
dedicated to fair housing
and has actively opposed predatory lending and taxation practices in Memphis.
He has served on fair housing committees
and worked to revitalize blighted neighborhoods,
advocating for both fair trade and community safety.
His efforts include reducing the number of blighted properties
in Memphis and enhancing community services for the physically
challenged.
Education and Other Interests
David attended Rhodes College,
the University of Memphis,
and also studied abroad, including institutions in Israel
and during a summer at Harvard College.
He is recognized as a philatelist and has earned several awards
for his work in stamp collecting, serving as a life member
of the
American
Philatelic Society, director and ambassador for the Memphis Stamp Club.
Notable
Recognition and Personal Life
David Saks has been honored by the City of Memphis and is known for his community empathy,
especially
towards charitable causes like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
He is also a writer and a prominent
figure in Memphis's cultural history.
David Saks’ Contributions to
Memphis Music and Culture
David Saks’ contributions
to Memphis music and culture are significant,
spanning songwriting, performance, radio, and community advocacy.
Official Songs of Memphis
David Saks composed “In
Memphis” and “One Last Bridge,”
which were adopted in unanimous resolution by the Memphis City Council
in 1990 and 1991 as the city’s
official songs.
These works highlight Memphis’s musical heritage
and
are preserved in the Library of Congress
and the Memphis Public Library’s Memphis Collection.
Radio Influence and Music Education
Saks has been an influential
Memphis radio personality for over four decades,
hosting shows dedicated to jazz, blues, and other genres on WUMR at the University of Memphis,
WTGR,
and Rhodes College’s WLYX.
He helped establish campus radio stations that aired diverse
music and community programming,
supporting the growth of musical appreciation and education in Memphis.
Creative and Performance Achievements
As a pianist and composer, Saks has performed at
prestigious venues,
including Steinway Hall in London and New York,
contributing both original compositions and innovative musical
blends.
His work exhibits a blend of jazz, classical, and improvisation,
reflecting
the vibrant and diverse musical traditions of Memphis.
Community and Cultural Advocacy
Beyond music, Saks is also recognized for his advocacy for
the physically challenged
and his support for institutions such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
He is involved in improving fair housing practices and has actively opposed
predatory lending and housing discrimination
in Memphis.
Legacy
in Memphis Culture
David Saks’s creative and civic efforts have earned him praise from local government,
music historians, and community leaders.
His commitment to Memphis has made him an enduring figure in the
city’s cultural landscape,
connecting music, heritage, and social responsibility.
Unanimous
Memphis City Council Resolutions
The Memphis City Council officially
recognized David Saks’s songs
by adopting “In Memphis” and “One Last Bridge” as the official songs of
Memphis
through
unanimous council resolutions in 1990 and 1991.
These adoptions were formalized by
city government votes, granting the songs special status
as official cultural representations of Memphis.
This
honor acknowledged both his musical contribution and his impact on Memphis’s cultural heritage,
with his music manuscripts preserved
in the Library of Congress.
The Official Songs of Memphis
“In Memphis” and “One Last Bridge” by David Saks,
hold historical significance as symbolic
cultural representations
that celebrate the city's unique legacy in American music and civic pride.
Their adoption by the Memphis City Council in 1990 and 1991
formalized the city’s recognition of its own musical
roots and identity,
echoing Memphis’s celebrated contributions across
blues, soul, gospel, and rock’n’roll traditions.
Cultural and Civic Importance
These songs are more than musical compositions—they
serve as anthems that unite residents
and honor Memphis’s reputation as a birthplace of influential genres and legendary artists.
The official designation illustrates the city’s commitment to preserving and promoting
its artistic heritage,
fostering civic pride, and inspiring future generations to appreciate Memphis’s impact on the broader musical
landscape.
Lasting Influence
By being archived in the Library of Congress and the Memphis Public Library,
these songs continue to contribute
to the documentation of local history and cultural memory,
demonstrating Memphis’s resolve to honor and sustain its musical and cultural
achievements.
This recognition solidifies the role of music as a defining
feature of
Memphis’s
identity in both local and national contexts.
Official songs such as “In
Memphis” and “One Last Bridge”
deeply shape Memphis’s cultural identity by serving as musical emblems
that unify diverse communities, reinforce
civic pride,
and showcase the city’s historic role as a
birthplace of unique genres and social movements.
Unifying
& Representing Memphis’s Heritage
These official songs function as audible narratives telling stories of struggle,
triumph,
and
unity, and echoing the city’s reputation for innovation in blues, soul, gospel, and rock.
They help residents and visitors
connect with Memphis’s history
—from Beale Street’s legendary role to the civil rights movement and beyond—
making music a living bridge between
past and present.
Fostering Pride and Social Cohesion
By adopting city anthems, Memphis
strengthens collective identity
across racial, cultural, and generational lines.
These
songs are performed at civic events and celebrations, encouraging people to take pride
in their shared heritage and to recognize the city’s
unique contributions to American music and culture.
Preserving
and Promoting Local Legacy
Making these songs official means their legacy is preserved for future generations,
highlighting Memphis’s commitment
to artistic achievement and cementing music as a central,
enduring thread in its cultural fabric.
In
sum, the Official Songs of Memphis help Memphis celebrate its diversity,
history, and enduring influence on global music culture.