Clarksdale Walk of Fame
Sponsored byThe Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce
LocationClarksdale, Mississippi
CountryUnited States
Reward(s)Bronze plaque embedded into the sidewalk
First awarded2008

The Clarksdale Walk of Fame honors notable people from Clarksdale, Mississippi who've made their mark on the culture of Clarksdale. It was created in 2008 by the Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce as a self-guided walking tour in an effort to increase foot traffic in downtown Clarksdale.[1] The plaques are located near a site of historical significance associated with the honoree.[2] Singer Sam Cooke received the first plaque, dedicated outside the New Roxy theater where he once performed.[3]

Also in Clarksdale is the Blues Alley Walk of Fame which was a precursor to the Clarksdale Walk of Fame. Blues musician John Lee Hooker and the Texas-based rock band ZZ Top were honored. ZZ Top helped raise $1 million in support of the Delta Blues Museum, they have a plaque at the Carnegie Public Library (former location of the museum).[4]

Inductees

Honoree Location
Sam Cooke[3] New Roxy Theater, 357 Issaquena Avenue
Son House[1] Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, 252 Delta Avenue
Muddy Waters[5] Clarksdale Station Train Depot, Blues Alley
Tennessee Williams[1] St. George's Episcopal Church Rectory, 108 Sharkey Avenue
John Clark[6] Clark House, 211 Clark Street
Early Wright[1] Alcazar Hotel, 127 Third Street
Charlie Conerly[6] Hambone Art Gallery, 111 East 2nd Street
Perian Conerly[6] Hambone Art Gallery, 111 East 2nd Street
Dr. Aaron Henry[6] Martin Luther King Boulevard and Ashton Alley
Ike Turner[7] Delta Blues Museum, 1 Blues Alley
Super Chikan[8] Ground Zero Blues Club, 0 Blues Alley
Big Jack Johnson[6] Red's Blues Club, 398 Sunflower Ave

References

  1. ^ a b c d King, Stephen A. (2011). I'm Feeling the Blues Right Now: Blues Tourism in the Mississippi Delta. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-61703-011-6.
  2. ^ "Sam Cooke Walk of Fame Marker - Delta Blues Museum". Delta Blues Museum.
  3. ^ a b Gage, Justin; Gage, Melissa (2009). Explorer's Guide Memphis & the Delta Blues Trail: A Great Destination (Explorer's Great Destinations). The Countryman Press. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-58157-923-9.
  4. ^ Yonke, David (September 9, 2009). "ZZ Top: Rocking Hard Since '69". Delta Blues Museum.
  5. ^ "Clarksdale: Moving Past the Crossroads". Memphis magazine. March 3, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Two historic marker dedications kick off Sunflower Blues Fest activities August 12". Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. July 28, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  7. ^ "Featured Marker: Ike Turner". Mississippi Blues Trail. Archived from the original on 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  8. ^ "CLARKSDALE: Walk of Fame dedication for SUPER CHIKAN, 11am". Mississippi Blues Trail. Archived from the original on 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
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