“He was a Memphis late-night entertainment icon. He was synonymous with music and disco,” said Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau head Kevin Kane, who entertained many a guest at Raiford’s. “Out-of-town tourists knew him; the locals revered him. He was one of those characters, one of those personalities who completely lit up a room. When people went to his places, they went there to see him.”
The Commercial Appeal
Jody Callahan, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee Published 1:52 p.m. CT March 22, 2017, | Updated 4:11 p.m. CT March 22, 2017
Robert Raiford, owner of the legendary Raiford’s Hollywood Lounge, died of natural causes at the age of 75. Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal
Whether it was his outrageous attire — perhaps a gold-sequined vest underneath a long black cape, or maybe it was an allwhite suit topped with a natty fedora — or his signature Cadillac, American flags flapping in the breeze, Robert Raiford was a man people noticed. That suited him just fine. “I may be coming down Main Street, and they’ll say, ‘Who is that? Oh, wow. That’s somebody. That’s got to be some movie star or somebody or other. He’s not the brokest person on Earth. He’s got some style. He’s got some class about him,” Mr. Raiford told The Commercial Appeal in 1997. “If you go out there and look at my cars, they both are nice-looking cars, but each one of those cars got their own style. If I can put the flags on the one and make it a little different and make people look at it, that’s all I want.” Mr. Raiford, who operated the legendary Hollywood Raiford’s at 115 Vance for more than three decades, died Wednesday of natural causes, his daughter Paula Raiford said. The man who called himself “Hollywood” was 75.
Born in Blytheville in 1941, Mr. Raiford grew up working on a plantation. In the mid-1960s, Mr. Raiford moved to Memphis and bought a Shell service station. He opened his first club, a joint called “Casablanca,” at Lamar and Willett, and also added a restaurant called Raiford’s Fine Food at Josephine and Park. Robert “Hollywood” Raiford But it was in 1976 that Mr. Raiford made the move that would make him legendary across this city. That was when he first leased a cramped cinderblock building on Vance, calling it Hollywood Raiford’s. For years, the place was almost a secret, but in the mid-’90s, word got out. That’s when people began flooding the disco, which gained a reputation for old-school soul music with Mr. Raiford himself usually manning the DJ booth. On some songs, he’d shake a pair of maracas. On others, he’d grab the microphone to encourage the dancers. “This is a world within another world,” Mr. Raiford once said. “Once you get past that front door, you’re in a whole different environment.” On a weekend night, there was often a line to get in that door. Once inside, patrons had two choices of beverage — quarts of Bud or Bud Light. Rolling chairs lined the tiny room. A chandelier hung over the bar. The wooden dance floor was in the back, surrounded by mirrors (“People love to look at themselves,” Raiford explained.) The smoke machine sometimes made the dance floor foggy. That’s where the real action took place, where people of all races and ages shook what they had. Raiford’s was a place that didn’t start hopping until well after midnight and didn’t stop hopping until the sun peeked out.
“It was iconic. It was ‘Who thought of this?’ It was eclectic,” said former Mayor A C Wharton, a familiar face to Mr. Raiford. “What really went through my mind was, ‘Where else would you find this other than a place called Memphis? If you’re (writing) a dictionary and you want to define Memphis, just put a picture of Raiford and his disco.” It was also a place that occasionally attracted a bad element. In 2003, authorities shut the club down and arrested two employees for selling drugs inside. The club was allowed to reopen soon afterward, with Mr. Raiford painting a large sign on the outside wall that announced “No Illegal Drugs.” But in 2007, Mr. Raiford surprised everyone by abruptly closing the club. One Saturday morning in May, he shut the place down at 4 a.m. It never opened again, at least as it once was. “When I went to work Friday night, I had no intention that was gonna be my last night. I did not go down there to close Friday night, but my instinct in my mind told me, ‘Raiford, this is it,’” he told the newspaper. “Me being the sole owner and the entertainment, 32 years jumping up and down, that’s quite a long time.” In 2009, though, Mr. Raiford and his daughter, along with investors, opened a new club on Second Street, a spot that continues today. Back in 1997, Mr. Raiford told the newspaper that he planned to stay in his tiny club as long as he lived, a prediction that didn’t quite pan out. But he added another quote, one that might serve perfectly well as Mr. Raiford’s epitaph. “Somebody’s gonna always say, ‘You k n o w what? I remember w h e n
R a i f o rd ’s was there. I used to have some good times there.’”
C
herished Memories
A Message From Heaven Perhaps you aren’t ready yet to have to say good-bye.... Perhaps you’re thought of things you wish you’d said--well, so have I. For one thing, I’d have told you not to worry about me I’m with the Lord in Heaven now-- you knew that’s where I’d be... I’m sorry that you’re feeling sad, for I’m so happy now... I’ve asked the Lord to ease the hurt and comfort you somehow. It’s hard at the beginning, but I know you’ll make it through. I hope it helps to know that I’ll be waiting here for you.
~Raiford
LTributes oving
....Dad.... If I could write a story It would be the greatest ever told Of a kind and loving dad Who had a heart of gold I could write a million pages But still be unable to say, just how Much I love and miss you Every single day I will remember all you taught me I’m hurt but won’t be sad Because you’ll send me down the answers And you’ll always be My Dad
~Children & Grandchildren
An Eternal Memory ....Until We Meet Again Those special memories of you will always bring a smile If only I could have you back for just a little while Then we could sit and talk again Just like we used to do You always meant so very much And always will do too The face that you’re no longer Here will always cause me pain But you’re forever in my heart Until we meet again.
~Siblings
Remembering
H ollywood Mr. Robert Lee Raiford was born August 23, 1941, in Blytheville, Arkansas to the late King D. And Lena Raiford. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age.
In 1964, Robert moved to Memphis and later became a member of The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Robert, a nightclub legend, was affectionally known as the Disco King “Hollywood Raiford,� who successfully became a proud business owner of several businesses. On the morning of March 22, 2017, Robert peacefully departed this earthly life at his residence surrounded by family members. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Raiford Jr. and his brother, Joe Nathan. Robert leaves to cherish his memory, his former wife, Louise Raiford; his children, Carolyn Raiford, Patricia Ann Raiford, Fredrick Raiford, Larry Raiford and Paula Raiford; siblings, Eddie Lee Raiford (Dorothy), John Crawford Jr. (Effie), King Raiford Jr, (Jane), John Henry Raiford, Rosetta Matthews (John), Jewel Matthews; twelve grandchildren, a host of greatgrandchildren, other relatives and dear friends.
The Celebration of Life
Order of Service Saturday, March 25, 2017 12:00 Noon
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church 2731 Enterprise Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38114
Pastor Hosie Hopkins, Jr. ~Officiating~
Musical Prelude Processional Selection............................................................................................................“Take Me to The King” Scripture: Old Testament Reading...........................................................................Reverend Walter Keys New Testament Reading....................................................................Reverend Carl McMurrary Prayer............................................................................................................Reverend Carl McMurray Musical Selections.......................................................................................................New Hope Choir
Expressions: (3 Minutes, Please)
Friend............................Anthony Elmore Family...............Deacon Sylvester White Employee............................Terry Mason Acknowledgements / Resolutions Solo..........................................................................................................................“Simply Beautiful”
Reading of the Reflections of Life (Silently)
Eulogy..................................................................................................................Pastor Hosie Hopkins Recessional
~Acknowledgement ~ Mr. Robert “Hollywood” Raiford
We the family of would like to thank Pastor Hopkins for your visit and support during this difficult time. A special thanks to Crossroads Hospice for the provided caregiving. Heartfelt thanks to King and John Henry for the extra care that was given and lastly to all our family, loved ones and friends we thank you so very much for we are forever grateful for all you have done.
~Active Pallbearers ~
Aaron Little Darius Webster D-Angelo Robinson Corey Coleman Marty Adkins Fredrick Raiford
~Interment & Committal Rites ~ Memorial Park Southwoods 5485 Hacks Cross Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38125
~Repast ~
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church 2731 Enterprise Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38114
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