Music in Memphis, the Legendary Sun Studio
It has been said that “If music was a religion, then Memphis would be Jerusalem and Sun Studio its most holy shrine.”
In 1954, an unknown Elvis Presley, grabbed a mic and sang his heart out making Sun the most famous recording studio in the world.
I was able to take a guided tour through the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll where you are able to experience outtakes from recording sessions, touch Elvis’ first microphone and hear the real story of the studio that launched the careers of not only Elvis Presley, but Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, and many others that signed with the Sun label.
Excellent and VERY informative tour of historic Sun recording studio, full of anecdotes about Elvis Presley, B.B.King, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and a bunch of well-known performers from the Sam Phillips’ days in the ’50s and ’60s. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone who likes music of the early days of rock and roll and the history of that era and its musicians !!!
Sam Phillips opened Sun Studio in 1950 with the goal of capturing the pure, raw energy of Beale Street. It produced the first rock ‘n’ roll single: Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats’ version of “Rocket 88” in 1951 and continues as an active recording business for many notable artists including U2, Def Leppard, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Paul Simon, Margo Price and many more.