Just found this - God bless the internet and RIP Rat. Met him in 2003 when I was in the Delta - a kid on a solo cross-country road trip. He gave me this exact tour! I love the part about a Japanese guest's things - when I was there, Rat told me about "Gypsy," a guest who would call out of the blue and say "I'm coming home, Rat." While he was telling me this, Gypsy walks in and it's this guy from Nagoya, Japan in the wildest get-up, carrying his own custom guitar with Gypsy engraved in mother-of-pearl on the fretboard. It was his third time in Clarksdale that year, and it was only June. Magical moment.
We spent 2 nights in room n. 10, the last one (missing in this video). It was the greatest experience in my last trip in USA. I can't wait to see Rat and Frank again. Mojo & Boogie from Italy
@theeehorse Yes!!!!! I'm from Clarksdale, Ms. and I grew up in that neighborhood. There are so many famous people who shaped music from Clarksdale, it should be a museum. Sam Cooke, Ike Turner etc... , or listening to my mama tell me about her and tina turner hanging out... I'm sorry mama- I meant to say anna mae-(lol)
I grew up just down the street sunflower and Hwy 61. I remember Ms Ezell and when they had a candy store or sorts Booker T Washington Elementary School was directly across from the hotel. Our teachers bought snacks for our spelling 🐝 from them. There’s so much history here; the civil rights movement housed MLK . the Kennedys and a host others during the occasions.
My husband, two relatives from the UK and I stayed at the Riverside Hotel in January 2013. A wonderful stay, comfortable, clean and close to some great blues clubs. "Rat" himself is quite a man, more than willing to tell you the history of the hotel and the many greats who stayed there. I felt like I too was making history by staying there. If you plan on visiting this area, make a stop at the Riverside Hotel if not to stay the night at least to talk with "Rat" himself.
I was shown round by this great friendly guy in Nov 2007 including John lees old room when he stayed there. Was it True? Felt like it I can tell you. It's DIFFERENT inside that place. I wanna go back soon. Jeff THE HORSE Horsey
Just found this - God bless the internet and RIP Rat. Met him in 2003 when I was in the Delta - a kid on a solo cross-country road trip. He gave me this exact tour! I love the part about a Japanese guest's things - when I was there, Rat told me about "Gypsy," a guest who would call out of the blue and say "I'm coming home, Rat." While he was telling me this, Gypsy walks in and it's this guy from Nagoya, Japan in the wildest get-up, carrying his own custom guitar with Gypsy engraved in mother-of-pearl on the fretboard. It was his third time in Clarksdale that year, and it was only June. Magical moment.
My wife and I visited there. He was so courteous and respectful...and very interesting.
I hope this is registered as an historic site!🙌🏾
We spent 2 nights in room n. 10, the last one (missing in this video). It was the greatest experience in my last trip in USA. I can't wait to see Rat and Frank again. Mojo & Boogie from Italy
Hi there Rat, great to see you again!
We met in March 2004 and I WILL be back
Best wishes, Neil (UK)
@theeehorse Yes!!!!! I'm from Clarksdale, Ms. and I grew up in that neighborhood. There are so many famous people who shaped music from Clarksdale, it should be a museum. Sam Cooke, Ike Turner etc... , or listening to my mama tell me about her and tina turner hanging out... I'm sorry mama- I meant to say anna mae-(lol)
I grew up just down the street sunflower and Hwy 61.
I remember Ms Ezell and when they had a candy store or sorts Booker T Washington Elementary School was directly across from the hotel. Our teachers bought snacks for our spelling 🐝 from them. There’s so much history here; the civil rights movement housed MLK . the Kennedys and a host others during the occasions.
My husband, two relatives from the UK and I stayed at the Riverside Hotel in January 2013. A wonderful stay, comfortable, clean and close to some great blues clubs. "Rat" himself is quite a man, more than willing to tell you the history of the hotel and the many greats who stayed there. I felt like I too was making history by staying there. If you plan on visiting this area, make a stop at the Riverside Hotel if not to stay the night at least to talk with "Rat" himself.
Claire Wakefield Did you know Rat died a couple years ago?
If those walls could talk............RIP Rat........I would have loved to have chatted with you......... Greetings from Australia,.
Hi, we stayed overthere during the helena festival early october. mr. Rat gave us the Bessie Smith room
Too cool. Love it.
Hope to stay there in April/May as recommended by Sugarcane Collins. Sugarcane and I are fellow Cairns residents.
I stayed in what I called the "closet" it was a small room nestled amongst the others. Too bad he didn't show it in this video. It was cozy.
I love this
RIP Rat..absolute legend
I was shown round by this great friendly guy in Nov 2007 including John lees old room when he stayed there. Was it True? Felt like it I can tell you. It's DIFFERENT inside that place. I wanna go back soon.
Jeff THE HORSE Horsey
RIP Mr. Ratliff.
Willie Nix stayed there a month or so, until he asked me to find him a shotgun house in Farrell, Ms.
Just learned that Rat died last week. :(
stace were stayin in room 7 woooop. sam cookes room.
That hotel looks haunted.. Especially from the outside.. lol