Waylon Jennings' Grave

Waylon Jennings' Grave 
City of Mesa Cemetery
1212 N. Center St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
(Near 9th and B Streets)

Waylon Jennings was a country music singer who was born on June 15, 1937 in Littlefield, Texas. Jennings began singing and playing the guitar at age of ten, and started performing professionally at the age of 12. In 1959, Jennings was playing bass guitar in Buddy Holly's backing band. He was supposed to be a passenger on the February 1959 flight that crashed and killed Holly, but he gave up his seat to J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Singer Richie Valens was also killed in the crash. 

Jennings went on to work as a DJ for radio stations in Coolidge and Phoenix, Arizona. In 1961, he signed a record deal with Trend Records, and had success with his single "Another Blue Day". In 1963, he signed a contract with A&M Records. At A&M, he recorded a number of popular songs including, "Four Strong Winds" and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". His first solo album, Waylon at JD's was released in 1964 on the label Sound Limited. From 1966 to 1986, Jennings released numerous albums on the RCA Victor and RCA Records labels, including the popular 1974 album The Ramblin' Man featuring the hit single "I'm a Ramblin' Man". His first record on MCA Records, Will the Wolf Survive, was released in 1986. This was the first of four albums released on the label. 

Throughout his career, Jennings wore his trademark black cowboy hat and dark attire. These articles of clothing accented his dark hair, beard and mustache. 

From 1979 to 1985, Waylon Jennings performed the opening theme for the television show Dukes of Hazzard "Good Ol' Boys". He also served as the narrator for the series. 

Jennings teamed up with other country music legends including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. These four artists put out three albums as the Highwaymen between 1985 and 1995. 

Jennings' style of country music inspired many future artists including Travis Tritt and Charlie Daniels. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He recorded over 60 albums, and had sixteen Number One country music singles.

Jennings suffered from diabetes throughout his later life. Complications from diabetes ultimately led to his death at age 64 in 2002. Jennings passed away in Chandler, Arizona and is interred in the City of Mesa Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona. Jennings' final album, Goin' Down Rockin': The Last Recordings, was released about ten years after his death in 2012. 

Below are three links with more information on Waylon Jennings and his grave site, along with a few more photos that I took of his grave in Mesa:

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/a-visit-to-the-grave-of-waylon-jennings-6615880

http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/a-visit-to-the-grave-of-waylon-jennings/

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-10-best-waylon-jennings-songs-20140616

MW

Folley Memorial Park and Folley Street

Folley Memorial Park 

601 E. Frye Rd.

Chandler, AZ 85225

Folley Street 
Chandler, AZ 85225

Last month, I wrote a blog entry on former heavyweight boxing contender Zora Folley's grave in Mesa, Arizona.

http://www.mwhistoryexperience.com/2016/09/zora-folleys-grave.html

Following Folley's career in boxing, he went into local politics. Folley served as a member of the Chandler (Arizona) City Council, where he lived with his wife and children. On July 7, 1972 at the age of 41, Folley died under mysterious circumstances in Tucson, Arizona. In 1976, the city built and named Folley Memorial Park in honor of the popular veteran, boxer, resident and councilman. A nearby residential street also bears Folley's name. 

Below are three links with more information on Zora Folley and Folley Memorial Park, along with several photos that I took of the park and street:

http://boxrec.com/boxer/9384

http://www.thesweetscience.com/articles-of-2005/2606-rise-and-fall-of-zora-folley

https://nextdoor.com/agency-post/az/chandler/city-of-chandler/youre-invited-to-folley-memorial-park-re-dedication-18740573/

MW

Zora Folley's Grave

Zora Folley's Grave 

City of Mesa Cemetery 

1212 N. Center St.

Mesa, AZ 85201

(Plot: Section 730, Lot 2, Grave 1)

Zora Folley was an American heavyweight boxer who was born in Dallas, Texas on May 27, 1931. In 1942, he moved with his family to Chandler, Arizona. Folley joined the U.S. Army in 1948 and later served in the Korean War. Soon after being discharged from the Army in 1953, he fought his first professional fight on September 22, 1953 against Jimmy Ingram in Los Angeles.

Folley was undefeated in his next 18 bouts, until he was stopped by Johnny Summerlin on June 23, 1955. Throughout his career, Folley was considered a top contender in the heavyweight division. He faced some of the division's best including Henry Cooper, Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo, Bob Cleroux, Oscar Bonavena, Doug Jones, Karl Mildenberger, Sonny Liston, and Muhammad Ali. Folley was knocked out in the seventh round by Muhammad Ali on March 22, 1967 for the WBA World Heavyweight Title. Folley was the last man to fight Ali before his three year ban from the sport for refusing to be inducted into the armed forces.

Folley fought his final bout on September 29, 1970 against Mac Foster. Folley was defeated via a first round knockout. Folley's boxing career ended with an impressive record of 79 wins, 11 losses and six draws. Folley went on to serve as a member of the Chandler City Council, where he lived with his wife and children.

On July 7, 1972 at the age of 41, Folley died under mysterious circumstances at a hotel in Tucson, Arizona. It was reported that Folley slipped and hit his head in a motel swimming pool while visiting a friend. Folley died within hours of hitting his head at a nearby hospital. Folley's official cause of death was ruled accidental by authorities. However, rumors of foul play continue to circulate in the boxing world today. Folley is interred at the City of Mesa Cemetery. His grave marker lists his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Below are three links with more information on Zora Folley, along with some photos that I took of his grave site:

http://boxrec.com/boxer/9384

http://www.proboxing-fans.com/zora-folleys-mysterious-death-murky-details-from-the-death-of-the-former-heavyweight-contender_102212/

http://www.thesweetscience.com/articles-of-2005/2606-rise-and-fall-of-zora-folley

MW