A Little History – Sun Records, Memphis

Owned and operated by Sam Phillips, Sun Records lives in the annals of Rock History as the birth place of some of the genres most prolific acts.

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One of the best things about Sun is that it is not only a fully functioning music studio to this day, but that you can take awesome tours through it, tours that give a unique and personal insight into many different aspects of musical history. I’ve done the tour twice and both times the guides have been exceptional. Really, they’re so knowledgeable and so excited and into their job that it’s infectious. Depending on who takes your tour there will be a different thematic interest, with some people focusing on Sam Phillips himself and others focusing on the many musical acts that have passed through his door. As a big Elvis fan, I was first drawn to the tour because of the studio link to Elvis (it’s where he got his big break with ‘That’s Alright, Mama’) but I was pleasantly surprised about the other information I picked up in relation to stars such as Roy Orbison (apparently he used to sleep at Sun when he was in town recording) and Johnny Cash (who doesn’t love a bit of Cash from time to time?).

To be fair, it wasn’t actually Sam Phillips that gave Elvis his iconic big break, rather it was his secretary Marion Keisker, who first met Elvis and decided that he had ‘something.’ The somewhat more sceptical Phillips took months to finally call Presley in for an audition and then when he did, he was sorely doubtful that the weird young man had the kind of talent he was looking for. It was famously during a frustration fuelled break out session that Elvis and his band, Scotty Moore and Bill Black, broke out with ‘That’s Alright Mama’ which Phillips heard, liked and quickly recorded. As we know, the rest was history.

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I really like the Sam Phillips part of the Elvis story and Elvis’ role in the Sam Phillips story. In retrospect we can look back and say that Elvis might have had a very different career if Sam hadn’t sold his contract to RCA FOR $35,000 in 1955… but if he hadn’t Sun might have gone under and then we never would have experienced Orbison, Cash or Jerry-Lee Lewis.

If you’re ever in the Memphis area and have a couple of hours to spare (not enough time to head out to Graceland or to really enjoy Beale Street) I’d heartily recommend taking the Sun tour. Not only will you learn something about the sights and smell of the old world recording industry, but you’ll get to see a range of 50’s music and fan memorabilia and you can pose for a photo with one of Elvis’ many recording microphones. Afterwards you can head to the adjoining diner and enjoy a cup of coffee and some cherry pie.

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sidebar: Apparently there has recently been a television series released about the history of Sun. Chad Michael Murray is in the role of Sam Phillips, which I am dubious about. I’ve never heard of the young man who is playing Elvis… not that it matters because no one but Elvis can be Elvis. If you’ve seen it, I’d be curious to know your thoughts.