New Clarksdale museum pays tribute
to the true roots of Rock’n Roll
WROX museum will draw many music lovers to the
recognized music capital of Mississippi

By LISA UZZLE GATES
DBJ Contributing Writer

As a child of the 60s, Bubba O’Keefe thought rock and roll began in England with the Beatles.
It took decades and wisdom that only comes with age, to realize it actually began right under his nose in his native Clarksdale.

O’Keefe, founder of the WROX Museum, grew up surrounded by the voices of some of the greatest in Blues history, Ike Turner and Elvis Presley included, coming across the airwaves during live performances in the station’s studio.

“I grew up on the Beatles and I thought England was where rock and roll began,” O’Keefe says. “I didn’t realize it started here, as much as it started anywhere.”

The now-acclaimed AM radio station was housed on the second floor of the Hobson building at 257 Delta Avenue in Clarksdale, but few people, O’Keefe included, realized the significance of the building and its place in the history of the Blues.

O’Keefe owned Best Friend’s, a children’s store, across the street from the Hobson building. When the 1920s-era building went up for sale, O’Keefe bought it as the new home for his children’s shop. And then his adult life collided with Clarksdale’s rich history.

An old friend began telling him about the history of the building, from Early Wright’s days as an influential disc jockey, to Ike Turner’s recording in the studio, to live performances by Elvis Presley. That was when O’Keefe realized he had a real gem.

He began restoring the three-story building, with an estimated 5,0000-square feet per floor. In August he opened the WROX Museum. Since then he’s had more than 200 visitors come through the museum. And while it’s named after the historic radio station, the museum recreates Clarksdale in its heyday. “I’m trying to create a snapshot of Clarksdale,” O’Keefe said. That includes recreating the church where Wright, the state’s first black disc jockey, preached and his collection of impressive suits. “Early was a very snappy dresser. We have his suits displayed on mannequins,” O’Keefe said.

O’Keefe continues to collect artifacts and the stories behind them. The museum starts on the first floor and spreads to the second floor, where the radio station is at home once again. O’Keefe said the museum will likely take over the entire building at some point, and the children’s shop will be moved to another location.

Admission to the museum is $5 and it’s currently only open by appointment. Call O’Keefe to schedule an appointment at 662-645-8874. DBJ