South Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Robert Karriem

1934-2004

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

1. Robert Karriem Marker

Inscription. Born in 1934, Robert Catron, who later changed his name to Robert Karriem, was a native Memphian. A musician and businessman, he was better known as "Boss Ugly Bob.” In the 1950s he played music with a group called the Beale Streeters, who played behind such notables as B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, and Roscoe Gordon. An African American, Karriem was a DJ on WLOK Radio in the 1960s. He saw the need for a black music distribution network, which led him and his wife Claudette Karriem to open on this site a record distributorship named Boss Ugly Bob Records.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 172.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 35° 6.945′ N, 90° 2.266′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in South Memphis. Marker is on East McLemore Avenue just west of Mississippi Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 726 East McLemore Avenue, Memphis TN 38106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. Dr. Joseph Edison Walker (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The University of West Tennessee (about 500 feet away); The 1960 Memphis Sit-In Movement (approx. ¼ mile away); People's Grocery (approx. ¼ mile away); LeMoyne Owen College (approx. ¼ mile away); Edward Shaw (approx. ¼ mile away); Second Congregational Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Benjamin Albert Imes (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . .
1. Memphis Dealer: Business No Longer Ugly. Article in May 26, 1979 issue of Billboard magazine. (Google Books search result) (Submitted on April 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Boss Ugly Bob to many, he was just "Boss" to me. Column in November 6, 2013 issue of The New Tri-State Defender. (Issuu search result) (Submitted on April 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

2. Robert Karriem Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 725 times since then and 125 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.