I grew up in memphis in the 1950s and 60s, moved to california for 18 years and then nashville for 25. Reputedly the first rock and roll single, jackie brenton and his delta cats rocket 88 was recorded there in 1951 with song. But the use of the name sun record company did not end there. Elvis presley thats all right blue moon of kentucky sun 78 record 209 vg. Original elvis sun records 223 mystery train ending feb 23 at 1. One of the iconic singers of the 20th century, elvis aaron presley january 8, 1935 august 16, 1977 was born in tupelo, mississippi to 18yearold vernon elvis and 22yearold gladys love presley.
Sun records tshirts and merchandise teeshirtpalace. I have moved back to memphis and recently took this tour for the first time. During the mid to late 1950s, the memphis record label released the early recordings of elvis presley, johnny cash, jerry lee lewis, carl perkins. It is the discovery location of musical legends and genres of the 50s from b. This page primarily lists records kept at the city level. Hi records was an american soul music and rockabilly label started in memphis, tennessee in 1957 by singer ray harris, record store owner joe cuoghi, bill cantrell and quinton claunch formerly producers for sun records, and three silent.
Sun records is an american independent record label founded by producer sam phillips in memphis, tennessee in february 1952. Retired lsu professor recounts her days at historic. Of course, the latest addition to teftellers blues collection, already referred to by many as the best in the world, means that all the history books, price guides and discographies have to be amended to now state unequivocally, that yes, there is. The tiny sun studio at 706 union avenue in memphis, tennessee may not have loo.
The earliest european exploration may have encountered. As has been noted previously, peter guralnicks biography, sam phillips. Sun records and the birth of rock n roll, all by colin escott and martin hawkins, elvis, a biography by jerry hopkins, and the american. Service, as it was first called, so that black artists would have a place to record. A memphis love story, lost for 62 years, is discovered in sun studio record. After its founding, sun records was the first company to record artists such as elvis presley, johnny cash, jerry lee lewis, charlie rich and roy orbison. This music production icon was founded in memphis, tennessee in 1950.
These are just some of the books related to sun records available at the. Original elvis sun records 210 good rockin tonight w push marks. Cordell jackson july 15, 1923 october 14, 2004 was an american guitarist thought to be the first woman to produce, engineer, arrange and promote. Posts about sun records written by baldpomegranatenixon.
The musical legacy of the bluff city is exciting, diverse, and extremely significant in the history of american culture. Purchase limited time only signed copies of memphis type history online in our shop. The sixdisc set comes with an extensive book filled with notes and photos. It was originally called memphis recording service, sharing the same building with the sun records label business. Bodies shipped into, out of, and through memphis and bodies disinterred, 18831902 memphisshelby county public library and information center, 1998 alphabetical shelby county marriage records, book xx, 18701886 cannon, 1999 alphabetical sections for bondsman, groom and bride. Sun records record label company memphis logo adult t. Sun records is the iconic 50s label in the top 10, according to variety which launched the careers of the million dollar quartet artists elvis, johnny cash, jerry lee lewis mick jagger spotted in memphis. We are early in our 60s and remember the performers who got their start at sun records, icons like elvis, carl perkins, johnny cash and jerry lee lewis. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The birthplace of rock n roll and home to the million dollar quartet elvis presley, johnny cash, jerry lee lewis, b. This discography was compiled using our record collections and the following books.
The history of memphis, tennessee and its area began many thousands of years ago with succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples. Mario monterosso reimagines sun records history with. On sam phillipss bright yellow sun records label spun a mindbendingly eclectic. Sun records in memphis was sold in 1969 and still operates as sun records under the parent company sun entertainment corporation. The music library has stacks of books and scores, musical literature such as dictionaries, biographies, and histories, and other materials specific to memphis music. Lost sun studio record reveals a forgotten female trailblazer. Sun studio was opened by rock pioneer sam phillips at 706 union avenue in memphis, tennessee, on january 3, 1950. Sun records sun records libguides at rock and roll hall of. Sun records studio, memphis, tennessee library of congress. The booksellers at laurelwood 387 perkins extended. Sun records of memphis, tennessee in shelby county, tn usa 1,015,348 tennessee 35,956 shelby county 993 memphis 694.
In doing so he ensured a place in the history books as one of the discoverers of rock n roll music. World cafe for world cafes sense of place spotlight on memphis, tenn. Sun records studio where elivs presley got his break into the music business. The sun sound began when sam phillips launched his record company in february of 1952. Today our goal is to spread the story of memphis history and culture through. Hes written several books of essays about american vernacular music. Details about sun records record label company memphis logo adult tshirt. Enjoy time to explore each landmark at your own pace, and walk in the footsteps of. Women of sun records is an entertaining history lesson in the women who recorded at sun studios during the labels peak years.
Head to stax records, sun studio and the rock n soul museum. Sam phillips, the founder of sun records in memphis, is frequently. In the first millennium, it was settled by the mississippian culture. He named it sun records as a sign of his perpetual optimism. So for us, the studio is a slice of history and we enjoyed the tour, seeing the memorabilia, and hearing some of the music. Additional records are listed on the county and state pages.
His identical twin brother, jesse garon presley, was stillborn. This is yet another gem from sam phillips and sun studios. Phillips had grown up poor in the deep south, and fell in love with the music of africanamerican field hands. The brief history of the legendary record label, and good rockin tonight. Elvis presley, johnny cash, jerry lee lewis et al, started here in memphis, tn. Sun records is, perhaps, the most famous independent record label in the united states. Discover even more offthebeatenpath history of memphis. The label was launched amid a growing number of independent labels. Sun studio is now the business that was started in the 80s at the former home of the memphis recording service but is quite often used to refer to the studio of sun records.
An oral history 2nd edition brings to readers the voices of the pillars of sun records, the artists, producers and engineers who made the place tick. At sam phillips sun records studio on union avenue, theres something different going on. The chickasaw indian tribe emerged about the 17th century, or migrated into the area. You can find regular copies via amazon or barnes and noble or locally at. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The second largest cotton supplier in the world, memphiss location on the fourth bluff of the chickasaw river kept it free from flooding and helped the city develop its lucrative trade. The tiny sun studio at 706 union avenue in memphis, tennessee, may not have. Sam rented a small space at 706 union avenue for his own allpurpose studio. An oral history is being reprinted is big news and long overdue. Sun records record label company memphis logo adult tshirt tee item description this classic fit tshirt displays a unique design, printed on a heavy weight, high quality 100% cotton preshrunk tee. Sun records studio, memphis, tennessee contributor names highsmith, carol m. Also, the old times papers, being a series of reminiscences and local stories written by the author, and.
Down on beale street theres hardedged blues, on the outskirts of town theyre pickin hillbilly boogie. Leave the driving to your guide as you visit 3 historical attractions in the memphis music scene. Sun studio is a recording studio opened by rockandroll pioneer sam phillips at 706 union avenue in memphis, tennessee, on january 3, 1950. Former radio engineer sam phillips opened the memphis recording service at 706 union avenue in 1950. Today memphiss bestknown landmarks are two placesbeale street and gracelandintimately associated with the citys place in american music history, especially that of the blues. King and elvis presley to johnny cash and jerry lee lewis. Using archive pictures from the 1870s though to the 1960s paired with the equivalent view today, memphis then and now charts the history of the city and the.
Sun studio is known worldwide as the birthplace of rocknroll. I read the earlier printing of this fascinating and informative book a few years ago, and ive recommended it to casual music aficionados and music scholars as well. Sun was the first label to record elvis presley, charlie rich, roy orbison, jerry lee lewis, carl perkins, and johnny cash. But those quibbles will mean nothing outside our borders, while the potential for introducing new audiences to the richness of memphis music history is vast. The music library at the university of memphis offers a variety of resources available for use and research. Sun records was founded by a legend in southern music, sam phillips. The history of the city of memphis, being a compilation of the most important documents and historical events connected with the purchase of its territory, laying off of the city and early settlement. Rock and roll artists, respect your elders, sun records, great names, book names, my collection, history books, my favorite music, jukebox million dollar quartet dec. An outstanding guided tour is to be had by all who visit sun studios and are smart enough to take the time to do the tour. Sam phillips founded sun records in 1952 in memphis.