Osceola in Mississippi County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Billy Lee Riley

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 31, 2010

1. Billy Lee Riley Marker

Inscription. Billy Lee Riley began picking cotton at age 7 on the Jacksonville plantation in Osceola. Influenced by local bluesmen, Riley became a 1950s rockabilly star, recording his first hit, Flyin' Saucers Rock & Roll, at Sun Studios. Retiring from music after performing worldwide, he was coaxed out of retirement by Bob Dylan in 1992.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1992.

Location. 35° 42.168′ N, 89° 58.152′ W. Marker is in Osceola, Arkansas, in Mississippi County. It is at the intersection of West Hale Avenue and South Poplar Street, on the right when traveling east on West Hale Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Osceola AR 72370, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas Delta,

in Crowley’s Ridge,

and in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Jimmy "Popeye" Thomas (here, next to this marker); Willie Bloom (here, next to this marker); Son Seals (here, next to this marker); Albert King (here, next to this marker); Reggie Young (here, next to this marker); Patterson Store (a few steps from this marker); Coston Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mississippi County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Osceola.

Also see . . .
1. Billy Lee Riley. Biographical (with some parts directly attributed to Riley himself) article. (Submitted on October 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Flyin' Saucer Rock & Roll. Riley performing the hit in later years. (Submitted on October 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Osceola's Musical Heritage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

2. Osceola's Musical Heritage

From left to right are markers for Reggie Young, Albert King, Son Seals, Willie Bloom, Jimmy "Popeye" Thomas, and Billy Lee Riley. To the right is the old Patterson Store.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,464 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.