Yank Rachell

AKA:

Elder Statesman of the Blues

Birth Name:

James A. Rachell

Birth Date:

March 16, 1903

Birth Place:

Brownsville, Tennessee

Death Date:

April 9, 1997

Place of Death:

Indianapolis, Indiana

Age:

Cause of Death:

Natural causes

Cemetery Name:

New Crown Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Music

One of a few pre-war blues artist to continue performing into the 1990s, Yank Rachell was the primary exponent of the blues mandolin

Fun Fact:

In one of his most famous stories, Rachell remembers back when he was a “mannish boy” walking down the road, and he heard a neighbor playing a “tater-bug” (round-back) mandolin. Yank had never seen one and had to ask what it was, but he wanted it so badly he traded a pig for it. His mother was not pleased, and told him when he got hungry he could eat the mandolin.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

New Crown Cemetery

2101 Churchman Ave

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46203

USA

North America

Grave Location:

Section 42, Row 8, Grave 28

Grave Location Description

His well appointed monument is in Section 42 in the 8th row, 23 spaces from the corner

Grave Location GPS

39.740617, -86.114583

Photos:

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Videos Featuring Yank Rachell:

Yank Rachell - Diving Duck

Rare & Unreleased: Sleepy John Estes - Yank Rachell play Sugar Mama

Yank Rachell and Homesick James 5-28-93 Chicago Blues Fest