I called Howard Grimes, drummer of the Hi Rhythm section, on the anniversary of O.V. Wright’s death, and asked if he’d join me in paying respects at O.V.’s grave. Howard’s a soft-spoken, highly spiritual man. He always takes a moment to digest and answer questions thoughtfully, but this one excited him.
“What are you going to that graveyard for?” he bellowed without the normal pause to reflect.
I explained that I wanted to find O.V.’s grave and pay my respects.
“Ain’t nobody in that grave,” Howard thundered back.
I wondered if I’d stumbled into some scandalous secret. I’d heard stories about Wright’s substance abuse problems, time in the pen, and the two O.V. Wright Juniors. His life had lacked neither color nor drama. Had he pulled the great illusion that only his fellow Memphian Elvis Aron Presley had been thought capable of?
Ahhh, no.
I asked Howard what he meant. This, like many of Howard’s explanations of the world, was rooted in the Old Testament. He quoted Ecclesiastes 12:7, “…the dust returneth to earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.”
He feels that grave hunting’s a tad overrated.
So I went by myself, and met the cemetery owner. He knew who O.V. was and pointed me directly to the bare rectangle of earth that O.V. rests beneath. (Pictured here. The marker at the top of the picture belongs to someone else.)
Months later, by happenstance, I learned that O.V.’s colleague James Carr, himself a tortured soul — in my book, each rivals only the other for emotional depth in song — recently received a headstone at his own unmarked grave. In spreading this news to the global community of Carr fans, I mentioned that Wright’s grave remained unmarked. This triggered offers of donation and calls to action. The response has been nothing short of inspiring. In fact, it inspired myself and other soul fans to do something about it — to fill that empty space with a monument.
Though his body returned to dust, and his soul to God, his fans and his family want something to honor him at his final resting place. His widow Alberta gave the project her blessing, saying simply: “That will help.”
So if you want to be part of this, please give what you can. Every bit helps, and none of it will go to waste. We’d like to dedicate the monument on the next anniversary of Wright’s death, November 16, 2008. Stay tuned for updates, as we hope to organize a ceremony. Show O.V. Wright how strong your love is. Follow this link to donate to the O.V. Wright Memorial Fund.