Furry Lewis

Birth Name:

Walter E Lewis

Birth Date:

March 8, 1893

Birth Place:

Greenwood, Mississippi

Death Date:

September 14, 1981

Place of Death:

811 Mosby, Memphis, Tennessee

Age:

Cause of Death:

Heart failure

Cemetery Name:

Hollywood Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Music

Associates:

Mississippi Fred McDowell

A notable guitarist in both the bottleneck and finger-picking styles, Furry was a country blues guitarist and songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee whose greatest productivity came late in life during the folk blues revival of the 1960s. Furry opened for The Rolling Stones, most notably on July 4, 1975, at Memphis' Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. As a Memphis blues legend, he was invited to perform by the band, with Keith Richards reportedly a fan, and he played in front of over 50,000 people before the Stones took the stage.

Fun Fact:

After a hard life of some fame and even less fortune, because he lived in a high-crime area of Memphis Furry’s red Martin guitar would hang on the wall of Capital Loans and Pawn where it wouldn’t get stolen. After each gig he would pawn his guitar and whenever someone asked him to play, he would ask for money to get his guitar back. Naturally he would always ask for a few extra dollars to put into his pockets.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Hollywood Cemetery

2012 Hernando Road

Memphis, Tennessee, 38106

USA

North America

Grave Location:

Furry Lewis Single Plot

Grave Location Description

From the entrance, turn left at the third intersection. His upright monument is next to road on your left in the back of the middle section (about 10 graves from the intersection). Note this cemetery is somewhat abandoned and not in the best of neighborhoods. A daytime visit with friends with plenty of caution is recommended.

Grave Location GPS

35.090237, -90.022413

Visiting The Grave:

Photos:

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FAQ's

Furry Lewis was born on March 8, 1893.

Furry Lewis was born in Greenwood, Mississippi.

Furry Lewis died on September 14, 1981.

Furry Lewis died in 811 Mosby, Memphis, Tennessee.

Furry Lewis was 88.

The cause of death was Heart failure.

Furry Lewis's grave is in Hollywood Cemetery

Videos Featuring Furry Lewis:

When I Lay My Burden Down

Good Morning Judge

I'm Going To Brownsville

Furry Lewis live - Kassie Jones

Watch YouTube video titled Furry Lewis - John Henry

Furry Lewis