A Grave Expedition: Visiting the Final Resting Places of Georgia’s Fallen Troubadours

For centuries, pilgrims have traveled to visit the gravesites of their cherished idols, from world leaders to writers, artists to musicians. Thousands annually visit Pére Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, where the interred include writer, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, chanteuse Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison of The Doors. Likewise, fans flock to Bruce Lee’s tombstone at Lakeview Cemetery in Seattle and to William Shakespeare’s tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England. Some go to show their respect, others to create a sense of spiritual connection and still others hope for inspiration.

Georgia, from the coast to the mountains, is dotted with the final resting places of many a picker, strummer and soul-shouter—some of whom lived long, full lives and others who were taken far too soon. In Macon, Duane Allman and Berry Oakley, original members of the Allman Brothers Band, are buried side-by-side in the city’s historic Rose Hill Cemetery. Also in Rose Hill is the gravesite of Martha Ellis, who was the namesake inspiration for the band’s classic “Little Martha.”

Just a couple hours east of Macon in the community of Thomson sits a marker recognizing country blues pioneer Blind Willie McTell, who wrote “Statesboro Blues,” which the Allman Brothers covered and included on the seminal album “At Fillmore East.” Ironically, McTell’s original marker contained erroneous information and it was a fan who later donated a corrected one.

It was a fan and former bandmate who was responsible for the restoration of the Cuthbert gravesite of influential big band jazz leader Fletcher Henderson. Chet Krolewicz saw a photo of Henderson’s headstone, was shocked by the condition and subsequently had it cleaned, restored and supplemented by a plaque recognizing the musician’s many achievements.

Ma Rainey, widely recognized as the “Mother of the Blues,” is buried in Porterdale Cemetery in her hometown of Columbus. Visitors to Columbus will also want to tour the Gertrude “Ma” Rainey House and Blues Museum, which houses her piano, photographs, show posters and more.

Another Georgia music pioneer, Fiddlin’ John Carson, is buried in East Atlanta in Sylvester Cemetery, one of the city’s oldest cemeteries. An obelisk reading “Carson” marks the grave of the man who was one of America’s earliest recording musicians, having cut two sides, “The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane” and “The Old Hen Cackled and the Rooster’s Going to Crow,” for Okeh Records in June 1923.

Fans of Johnny Mercer can pay respect to the acclaimed lyricist in his hometown of Savannah in the hauntingly beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery, located on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River. Inscribed into a marble bench at his gravesite are the song titles of just a few of Mercer’s timeless hits, including “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Blues in the Night,” “Jeepers Creepers,” “Moon River” and more.

Other notable gravesites in Georgia include guitarist Jimmy Bryant (Berlin), Hovie Lister (Decatur) and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (Lithonia). But as with any visit to anyone’s resting place, remember to be respectful. Don’t litter, don’t take a “souvenir” and let your fascination be your guide.