BLUES, BBQ, ROCK N'ROLL, POMPADOURS & Sun Studio Sessions
Music
Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Howling Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Roscoe Gordon Bill Lee Riley, Sonny Burgess and the Pacers, Joe Hill Louis, Conway Twitty, Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats, The Prisonaires
Movies
Walk the Line, Mystery Train, Elizabethtown
Television
"Good Rockin' Tonight" documentary; Sun Studio Sessions on PBS (call your local station to request!)
Books
Good Rocking Tonight, Careless Love, Last Train to Memphis
Radio Engineer Sam Phillips opened up Sun Studio in January 1950 as the "Memphis Recording Service" to record blues greats in the South who had no where else to record. The Howlin' Wolf, Bobby Blue Bland, Rufus Thomas, Junior Parker, Joe Hill Louis, and Little Milton are some of the many greats who came to Sam's studio.
March 1951: Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats with Ike Turner as the band leader and piano player cut "Rocket 88" at Sun Studio. The song was #1 on the R&B charts and is considered by most historians to be the first Rock N' Roll song. The success of the song led Phillips to start his own record label in 1952, Sun Records.
In the following years Sam Phillips brought in an amazing array of talent:
an unknown trio, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black became the most sought after group in the country after recording 10 songs at Sun that fused country, gospel, blues and changed the world forever.
Carl Perkins, the king of Rockabilly, had Sun's first gold record: "Blue Suede Shoes" and became the biggest influence for the Beatles.
Johnny Cash was Sun's most consistent hit maker with great songs such as "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues".
Jerry Lee Lewis had Sun Studio's two biggest hits: "Whole Lotta Shakin" and "Great Balls of Fire" but more importantly made the piano a Rock N' Roll instrument.
Sam cut several cult rockabilly acts in this time as well, Charlie Rich, Warren Smith, Conway Twitty, and Billy Lee Riley.
Sam Phillips later retired from the business and the studio laid empty for almost 25 years, until 1985 when Carl, Johnny, Jerry Lee and Roy Orbison came back and cut a Grammy winning record "The Class of '55".
The record got people excited about Sun again and almost a year later U2 recorded and filmed most of "Rattle and Hum" there.
Today Sun Studio operates as an Attraction and a 24 track Recording Studio, catering to artists such as, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Matchbox 20, Beck, Maroon 5, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Def Leppard, and John Fogerty.
Who I'd like to meet: Anyone! All you have to do is come and visit us at:
706 Union Ave Memphis, TN 38103
Call us at: 901-521-0664, (800)441-6249
Not a phone person?
info@sunstudio.com
http://www.sunstudio.com
OFFICIAL Sun Studio myspace!'s Friend Space (Top 28)
Hey Sexy Sassy Friend! Have a safe and fun 4th of July! Follow me on Twitter @kayleenb Check out my new blog called "Lap Dances, Rock Stars, and Crashed Cars" http://kayleenb.blogspot.com
Join us for an evening of Carnival Cuties,
Burlesque Beauties, Sultry Sideshow, and Special Guests from St. Louis
- The Alley Cat Revue!! Step Right Up, Don't Be Shy!! The Memphis
Belles Carnivale of Burlesque has arrived!!
There will be Contests, Prizes, DJ, and Surprises!! One lucky lady will
leave with the grand prize of a seat in Pretty Things Pin-Up Class!!
You will spend the day with some of the best in Pin-up & Burlesque
- go-go Amy & Bettina May!! They will teach you the ways of Pin-up
hair, make-up, and posing. At the end of the day, you'll be leaving
with images from your own Pin-up photoshoot!
Hi Sun Studio! Thanks soo much for accepting my friend request! I appreciate! It is a honor to be friends on the internet with such a legendary recording studio. Blues on! Alicia
