Two Words: Sun Studio, A Memphis Must See

Sun Studio 706 Union Avenue Memphis, TN

There’s a lot of ways to define Rock & Roll music, but, I can do it in just two words: Sun Studio. When we drove from Nashville to Memphis to visit Sun Studio, I expected it to be pretty good. What I didn’t expect was for it to be great and one of the highlights of my trip. Sun Studio is a modest building, located in a quasi-industrial section of Memphis; but, if only those walls could talk.

Today, Sun Studio is known as the birthplace of Rock & Roll, a recording studio that was originally opened under the name Memphis Recording Service, in January of 1950, by Sam Phillips. They recorded everything; bar mitzvahs, weddings, marching bands. As the story goes, it was Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats—with keyboardist/songwriter Ike Turner, and their recording of Rocket 88, in 1951, that was the first Rock & Roll single ever made; hence, the birthplace of Rock & Roll. (Funny that we don’t remember much about Ike’s songwriting days.)

Many, many, many artists were made into superstars at Sun Studio: Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and of course, Elvis Presley. But Sam had money troubles and couldn’t keep profits up. It is said that Sam turned to alcohol and even did a stint in a mental institution, where he received electric shock therapy. The first real hit for Sun, was in 1953. It was a recording called, “Bearcat” that sounded very much like “Hound Dog.” During this era, call and answer songs were very popular, and Bear Cat was a response song to Hound Dog. However, Sam was sued for copyright infringement, and nearly bankrupted. No matter how hard he tried to promote his artists, he was broke and in debt.

What Sam needed was a publicity stunt, and he got one in the form of The Prisonaires, an all-black quartet, that was given permission to come to Sun and record their single, Just Walkin’ in the Rain. The media coverage was great and it was allegedly an article that appeared in a Memphis paper, that prompted the, then unknown King, to go to Sun and record a song. He went to record a tune for his mother’s birthday called My Happiness. It was office manager Marion Keisker, who actually loved Elvis and pushed him on Sam—(who originally wasn’t a fan, according to our tour.)

Sam had a studio band, but needed a front man, so he called Elvis, who was so nervous; he kept his back to Sam during the recording. The session was a bust and they were ready to give it up. As Sam and company were heading out for a break, Elvis picked up his guitar and did his own ‘rocked up’ version of That’s All Right, and it was an amazing, pure, unadulterated sound they hadn’t heard before. Silence shocks into the room… (Or so I imagine….)

“Elvis, you’ve been holding out on me…”… (Is what I am sure Sam said).

Elvis started getting huge; and the stars and moon aligned. Sam was in debt and he didn’t have the money to make Elvis the star he was destined to be. So, Sam sold Elvis’ recording contract to RCA, for $35,000. That was a LOT of money at that time. That sale got Sam out of debt and he was able to use the rest of the money to further the careers of Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash—(who went on to become the most consistent hit maker of Sun history.)

In December 1956, an impromptu jam session occurred at Sun, featuring Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. This became known as the Million Dollar Quartet. The entire recordings are available and a hugely successful Broadway play was inspired by the story.

In the following years, Sam lost interest in the studio and ventured out to radio. Sun declined during the mid-sixties and released its last record in 1969. Sun then spent time as an auto parts store, a plumbing company and a few other assorted business’.

But in 1987, the studio was converted back and many incredible artists recorded there. One of my all time faves was a little band from Ireland.

Board used to record Rattle & Hum

Today, with the original white tiles in place, memorabilia through the ages and a really great tour filled with tidbits and sound bites, Sun has historical landmark status.

#Turntable