Many of our heroes were laid to rest in
New Park Cemetery at
4536 Horn Lake Road in South Memphis. The roster reads like a who’s who of Memphis music in the second half of the 20th century. The place is a shortcut to Soul Heaven.
Secrets and tales lay beneath this dirt. Stax and Hi Records drummer Al Jackson Jr. knows who murdered him, but the crime has gone unsolved for over thirty years. Rhythm and Blues heartthrob Johnny Ace may or may not know if his death on Christmas Night 1954 was accidental, suicidal, or homicidal. Members of the Bar-Kays Jimmy King, Carl Cunningham, and Phalon Jones lost their struggle for life in icy Lake Monona after the plane carrying Otis Redding and the ‘Kays crashed December 10, 1967.
The prolific gospel composer Herbert Brewster wrote scads of gospel classics for Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward, and James Cleveland. He jotted lyrics down on the cardboard inserts that came to him in dry-cleaned shirts. Brewster enjoyed leaning back in his recliner while composing. That recliner now resides in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
Rufus Thomas, deep soul singer James Carr, and pre-WWII style Mississippi bluesman Booker White (He very clearly stated in an interview that he didn’t care for the “Bukka” tag and didn’t know where it came from), all take the big sleep at New Park.
A few less obvious heroes of Memphis music also push up the daisies here.
Queen C. Anderson led Rev. Brewster’s gospel group the Brewsteraires, and sang at Trigg Avenue Baptist Church, where young Elvis Presley reportedly became an admirer, and picked up a few tricks.
Readers of Stanley Booth’s hilarious
Rythm Oil know and love Phineas Newborn Jr.’s mother Rosie Lee Newborn, also known as Mama Rose (above).
Last, but far from least, our hero
Andrew Sunbeam Mitchell and his wife Earnestine lay side by side, facing west.
The gates at New Park seem to stay open, but it’s best to visit during business hours. The helpful, knowledgeable staff has met with your kind before, and either knows where the graves are, or can consult plot records to tell you.