Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Carl Perkins
— Rock 'n Roll Highway 67 —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
1. Carl Perkins Marker
Inscription.
Carl Perkins delivered what many consider the first big hit of rock 'n' roll music. His "Blue Suede Shoes" in 1956 shot to number one across a broad range of music charts and became the first million- selling single for Sun Records.
Perkins performed frequently along Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67, including Fireman's Hall in Walnut Ridge and the night clubs in Jackson County, and he was often 'backed up by his brothers, Jay and Clayton.
Growing up in western Tennessee, Perkins claimed two notable musical influences: the country music of the Grand Ole Opry and the rural blues of a black sharecropper who lived near Perkins' family. The two genres conspired to form Perkins' style of music, and rockabilly music in general.
He sustained life-threatening injuries in a 1956 car wreck, which caused him to be sidelined just as his musical career seemed to be taking off. The wreck is often blamed for keeping Perkins' career from soaring like that of his fellow Sun artist, Elvis Presley.
Although Perkins' popularity was waning in the US by the early 1960s, he found a passionate following in Europe. It was while performing in Britain in 1964 that he met and befriended four young men who were big fans of his music. The four comprised their own up-and-coming band, known as The Beatles.
The friendship flourished for many years to come. Aside from their own compositions, The Beatles ended up recording more songs by Carl Perkins than any other writer.
Ironically, The Beatles, also visited Walnut Ridge in 1964, when they had occasion to travel the same road as Perkins, Presley and other rockabilly, artists who had influenced their music. The road is now known Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67.
[Inset] ,
Carl Perkins and The Beatles. Not many musicians can claim The Beatles as bona fide members of their fan club, but Carl Perkins could. All four of The Beatles signed their name to the register of his fan club, and they became close personal friends to the rockabilly legend for the rest of his life. They also recorded more songs written by Carl than any other composer, aside from their own works. Carl (left) is pictured here with George Harrison (center) on one of their many visits. To the right of Harrison is Carl's son Greg and far right is his son and drummer, Stan Perkins. . This historical marker is in Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County Arkansas
Carl Perkins delivered what many consider
the first big hit of rock 'n' roll music.
His "Blue Suede Shoes" in 1956 shot
to number one across a broad range of
music charts and became the first million-
selling single for Sun Records.
Perkins performed frequently along Rock
'n' Roll Highway 67, including Fireman's
Hall in Walnut Ridge and the night clubs
in Jackson County, and he was often
'backed up by his brothers, Jay and
Clayton.
Growing up in western Tennessee,
Perkins claimed two notable musical
influences: the country music of the
Grand Ole Opry and the rural blues
of a black sharecropper who lived
near Perkins' family. The two genres
conspired to form Perkins' style
of music, and rockabilly music in
general.
He sustained life-threatening injuries in
a 1956 car wreck, which caused him to
be sidelined just as his musical career
seemed to be taking off. The wreck is
often blamed for keeping Perkins' career
from soaring like that of his fellow Sun
artist, Elvis Presley.
Although Perkins' popularity was waning
in the US by the early 1960s, he found a
passionate following in Europe. It was
while
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performing in Britain in 1964 that
he met and befriended four young men
who were big fans of his music. The four
comprised their own up-and-coming band,
known as The Beatles.
The friendship flourished for many years to
come. Aside from their own compositions,
The Beatles ended up recording more
songs by Carl Perkins than any other
writer.
Ironically, The Beatles, also visited Walnut
Ridge in 1964, when they had occasion to
travel the same road as Perkins, Presley
and other rockabilly, artists who had
influenced their music. The road is now
known Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67.
[Inset]
Carl Perkins & The Beatles
Not many musicians can claim The Beatles
as bona fide members of their fan club, but
Carl Perkins could. All four of The Beatles
signed their name to the register of his fan
club, and they became close personal friends
to the rockabilly legend for the rest of his
life. They also recorded more songs written
by Carl than any other composer, aside from
their own works. Carl (left) is pictured here
with George Harrison (center) on one of
their many visits. To the right of Harrison is
Carl's son Greg and far right is his son and
drummer, Stan Perkins.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.
Location.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
2. Carl Perkins Marker
36° 4.026′ N, 90° 57.446′ W. Marker is in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, in Lawrence County. Marker can be reached from SW Front Street south of West Elm Street, on the right. Located at Guitar Walk near the Walnut Ridge Train Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 SW Front St, Walnut Ridge AR 72476, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The markers are arrayed around an epiphone casino shaped guitar.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
4. Guitar Walk at Cavenaugh Park
The Guitar Walk is a 115 foot long concrete guitar, complete with frets, and strings. Along the edges are interpretive markers that pay tribute to the early legends that gave birth to Rock n’ Roll, at venues along Rock n’ Roll Highway 67 that runs through the area. The free walk includes audio narration by none other than legendary Sun Studio recording artist, Sonny Burgess.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
Carl Perkins delivered what many consider
the first big hit of rock 'n' roll music.
His "Blue Suede Shoes" in 1956 shot
to number one across a broad range of
music charts and became the first million-
selling single for Sun Records. 
