WY27 Arthur Crudup

WY27 Arthur Crudup

WY 27 Arthur Crudup (1905-1974)

 

Location: Town of Nassawadox off of Route 13 in front of Northampton Lumber Company. Take Rogers Dr. to access the sign. 

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, a blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter sometimes called "The Father of Rock 'n' Roll," was born in Mississippi and gained prominence as a recording artist in Chicago in the 1940s. A cover of Crudup's "That's All Right" launched the career of Elvis Presley, who later recorded two more of Crudup's works. Among others who covered Crudup were the Beatles, B.B. King, and Elton John. Rarely receiving royalties, Crudup supported his family as a laborer and farm worker and moved to Franktown ca. 1960. He toured internationally and performed with his sons James, George, and Jonas as The Malibus in Weirwood and Nassawadox. He died on 28 March 1974 and is buried near here.

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES, 2023


Arthur Crudup performing on stage
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, performing at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August, 1969. Photo by Jeff Titon.
Photo credit: Eatonland, CC BY-SA 4.0  via Wikimedia Commons

 
 


YouTube: Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup • Interview / “That’s All Right Mama” • 1972 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]

 


YouTube: Arthur Crudup - That's All Right (Official Audio)



Giddens Do-Drop-Inn 

Giddens Do Drop Inn sign

The Giddens' Do-Drop Inn is an historic community center and soul food restaurant located at 8204 Bayford Road, Weirwood, VA. It is a significant cultural landmark on Virginia's Eastern Shore, known for its role as a gathering place for the Black community, particularly during the Civil Rights era. The establishment is also famous for its soul food and for hosting legendary musicians like Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup.
Location: The Do-Drop Inn is located at 8204 Bayford Road in Weirwood, Virginia. It is a well-known Eastern Shore landmark. 

Giddens Do Drop Inn
The Legendary Giddens Do Drop Inn



Resting Place of Arthur Crudup

Grave of Arthur Crudup
Grave of Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup
August 5, 1905 
March 28, 1974
Photo attribution: Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The gravesite can be found at: Bethel Memorial Gardens
6521 Short St, Franktown, VA 23354