Memphis is synomous with music, and often considered the birthplace of rock ‘n roll, specifically at Sun Studio, where we stopped in for a visit. The studio has a small store and cafe, and those taking the tour are ushered through a small museum, and later the studio itself.

Music lover Sam Phillips opened Memphis Recording Service in 1950 with an open policy of recording anything and embraced the diverse music Memphis had to offer. Phillips recorded blues artist B.B. King who turned him on to Ike Turner and his group. With them, Jackie Brenston on lead vocals laid down “Rocket 88” at Memphis Recording Service. Before Phillips had his own label, he licensed it to Chess Records to release. By many rock ‘n roll enthusiasts and scholars, “Rocket 88” is considered to be the first rock ‘n roll song.

In 1952 Phillips created his own label, finally giving birth to Sun Records with its iconic design. The studio was still welcoming of any and all artists, and allowed anyone to record one-offs for a small fee. On July 18, 1953, a young man came into record a pair of songs for his mother. Phillips wasn’t in, but his associate was, Marion Keisker. She recorded the pair of songs, and had him return to sing for Phillips, the man was Elvis Presley. I’ve low key always hated Phillips got the credit for discovering Elvis, when it was really Keisker who saw the star power, and was thankful our tour guide agreed. Eventually Presley signed to Sun, and recorded “That’s All Right.” A copy was given to WHBQ radio DJ Dewey Phillips (no relation to Sam) and he was the first to put Elvis on the air. After playing it, he received an influx of calls, asking him to play it over and over. WHBQ started in the basement of a church, but by 1953 it moved to the lobby of Hotel Chisca. In 2014, the small DJ booth was moved to Sun as part of their museum.

Other notable artists to record with Sun are Roy Orbison, Conway Twitty, Howlin’ Wolf, James Cotton, The Dixie Cups, Jeannie C. Riley, Linda Martell, and of course Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

A neat addition in their small cafe and gift shop is the original Crown Electric Sign. Elvis worked for Crown Electric before making it big.

Both the museum and the studio itself are quite small, and we had a full tour group. The tour lasts roughly 40 minutes. And if you can get Mark Stuart as your tour guide, you’re in for a treat! He was eloquent, funny, enthusiastic, and informative.

Soak up the history of rock ‘n roll at Sun Studio at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis. Learn more about tours on their website.

Sources
“History.” Sun Records.
Plaques and tour guide on site.