By: Maria-Paula
Arthur Crudup (Big Boy), a blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter sometimes called “The Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” was born in 1905 and became famous as a recording artist in the 1940s.
Although he rarely received royalties, Crudup launched musician Elvis Presley’s career with his cover “That’s All Right”. Others who covered Crudup were B.B. King, the Beatles, and Elton John. Despite a successful music career, Crudup rarely received royalties and supported his family through labor and farm work before moving to Franktown, California in 1960.
As the Malibu’s, he later toured the world and performed alongside his sons Jonas, George, and James before his death on 28 March 1974.
These seven historic marker locations in Virginia would serve as reminders to celebrate the significant achievements, musical contribution, civil rights involvement and law enforcement of the first Black sheriff and songwriter Crudup:

1. Arthur Crudup’s birthplace:
Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, a marker at the place where Crudup was born and raised marker can provide information about his early life and the influence of his upbringing on his musical career.

2. Arthur Crudup’s Recording Studio:
A marker will be erected to honor Crudup’s recording studio in Richmond, Virginia where his career took off. This location where many of his influential blue’s songs were recorded played a significant role in acknowledging his contributions as a songwriter and performing artist.

3. Arthur Crudup’s Family Home:
Here, you can explore the area where Crudup’s family home was located in Suffolk, Virginia. This marker can provide insights into his personal life, family, and the community he grew up in. In Suffolk, as a civil rights activist, he committed to social justice and equality in the locality.

4. Arthur Crudup First Black Sheriff:
Installing a marker at Petersburg, Virginia unveils the location where Crudup served as the first Black sheriff in Petersburg. This marker can commemorate his groundbreaking achievement and contributions as a trailblazer to law enforcement in the area as the first Black sheriff.

5. Arthur Crudup’s Musical Performances marker:
The site at Norfolk, Virginia marks one of Crudup’s notable musical performances in Norfolk. This signage can highlight his talent as a live performer and the impact he had on the local area’s music scene.

6. Arthur Crudup’s Songwriting Inspiration:
Explore the area in Hampton, Virginia that served as a significant source of inspiration for Crudup’s songwriting. This marker can provide insights into the local culture, history, and experiences that influenced his music.

7. Arthur Crudup’s Legacy:
Discover a marker dedicated to Arthur Crudup’s legacy in Newport News, Virginia. This location can provide information about his lasting impact on the music industry and his contributions to the cultural heritage of Virginia. This could include a recreational public park with organized educational displays about his life and accomplishments as well as his musical performances.
Apart from the seven markers in honor of Crudup, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, looks forward to unveiling at least seven other historic markers. This will shade light on the individual’s significant contributions to specific fields and leave lasting impact of Black history to the future generations.
The other seven markers honor the first municipal Black burial ground in Richmond and all of them could take six to eight months before they are unveiled.