Pocahontas in Randolph County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Birthplace of Billy Lee Riley

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 12, 2022

1. Birthplace of Billy Lee Riley Marker

Inscription. Rock and Roll pioneer Billy Lee Riley was born to Amos and Helen Riley on October 5, 1933 in a white frame house located on this site. Riley and his band, the Little Green Men, helped originate the unique sound of Sun Records that became a distinctly American musical heritage. His records, Flying Saucers Rock 'n' Roll and Red Hot, are early Rock and Roll classics. This marker is dedicated to the memory of one of Randolph County's favorite sons.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 1933.

Location. 36° 16.043′ N, 90° 58.193′ W. Marker is in Pocahontas, Arkansas, in Randolph County. It is on Haw Street east of Schoonver Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 411 Bland St, Pocahontas AR 72455, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ozarks.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wear Kibler Schoonover (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spinnenweber and Peters Equine Store and Merchantile (approx. 0.4 miles away); Randolph County Court House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old Randolph County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sanitary Barber Shop (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Civil War Monument

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Capture of Missouri "Swamp Fox" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of the St. Charles Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pocahontas.

Also see . . .
1. Billy Lee Riley on Wikipedia. Riley recorded for Sun Records in Memphis beginning in 1955 after four years in the Army. Though he retired from music in the 1970s, his music from the 1950s became somewhat popular again in the 1990s and he once again became involved in the music industry. He would perform at festivals and events until his death in 2009. (Submitted on October 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Billy Lee Riley "Red Hot" song (video). This was written and first recorded by Billy "The Kid" Emerson in 1955. Riley's version is listed as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. The song was destined to be a hit; however, Sam Phillips (owner of Sun Records) decided to promote Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" instead. Though the song never charted on Billboard, it was covered many times by artists such as Ronnie Hawkins, Brian Setzer and Jimmy Barnes. From Sun Records' YouTube channel. (Submitted on October 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 12, 2022

2. Birthplace of Billy Lee Riley Marker

Marker is in front of an empty grassy lot.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.