One of Meridian’s most revered musicians will be remembered at a memorial this weekend.

Dudley Tardo, known around the East Central Mississippi music circuit as a renowned drummer with his band the House Rockers, died unexpectedly at University Medical Center in Jackson Saturday. A celebration of his life is planned at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Temple Theatre with the Rev. Jacky Jack White officiating. Visitation will be from 12:45-1:45 p.m. prior to the memorial service. 

The memorial is a way for people who knew Mr. Tardo to come together to celebrate his life and what he meant to them, his wife, Marianne Todd, said.

“Dudley played with a number of bands around Meridian for years,” Todd said. “He was very tight in the musicians community, which is very tight-knit group, and a lot of people looked up to him. A lot of drummers say he is the reason they are drummers to this day, because he mentored them, he was very giving.”

In 1982, Mr. Tardo formed the House Rockers, a legendary blues band featured in the documentary, “The Last of the Mississippi Jukes.” The band played regularly at the Subway Lounge in Jackson, bringing together a large diversity of people of all ages before the venue closed in 2003.

Jimmy King, owner of the Subway, said Mr. Tardo was one of the greatest people he ever met.

“I met Dudley in 1987 when I hired his band to play for me,” King said. “He was a very unusual person, never got mad, and one of the best drummers I’ve ever played with, and I’ve played with a lot.”

Joel Hamilton, who played many gigs with Mr. Tardo, said he was important to the Mississippi music scene.

“I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love Dudley, because he was the kindest, most gentle soul you would ever meet in your life,” Hamilton said. “He was just a prince of a guy, and heartbreaking to me to see him go so soon.

Friends Bubba Martin, and Hal Aiken said Mr. Tardo was one of the most disciplined musicians they knew.

“He took his music as seriously as his regular job, if not more so,” Martin said. “He was an amazing drummer, and I met people through him that I didn’t think I would ever meet. He didn’t have a selfish bone in his body, and if I ever needed him, I could count on him to be there. When I got married, besides my family, Dudley was the first person I wanted my wife to meet. “So much happiness that could have been, is going to be lost without Dudley.”

“I was an only child and Dudley was like a brother to me from the first time we met,” Aiken said. “As a drummer he was one of the best in the world. He had a dedication to his instrument that vastly exceeded most musicians.”

Todd said she wants people to remember Mr. Tardo as the person he was — a beautiful, kind man who saw the best in everyone.

“He never said a cross word about anyone, he always found the best, searched for the best, and talked about the best in everybody,” Todd said. “I want people to know that I heard nothing but love and admiration for people. He truly loved his friends.

“I married him because he was the kindest man I’ve ever met,” Todd added. “When I was 11, I went to the school with my mom to pick up my brother. Over in the grove my brother was talking to this long haired hippie guy, with a goatee. My mom asked my brother who he was and he replied, that is Dudley Tardo, that guy is very cool. I internalized that all my life, and every time I heard his name, I thought of that. He will always be the coolest guy I ever met, and I will miss him dearly.”

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to: The Blues Foundation (HART Fund), 421 South Main, Memphis, TN 38103. Donations can be made online at www.shopbluesfoundation.org/hart-fund-donation/.