Sam phillips sun records the history of rock and roll. Walk into the legacy of greatness when you take a n indepth tour of sun studio in memphis, tennessee, the location that birthed rock n roll johnny cash, elvis jerry lee lewis, roy orbison and others launched their careers at this historic place. Theres a good argument to be made that he is also one of the most important figures in 20thcentury american culture. The sun sound began when sam phillips launched his record company in february of 1952. The tiny sun studio at 706 union avenue in memphis, tennessee, may not have. Visit sun studio on your trip to memphis or united states. The success of rocket 88 helped fund the creation of sun records which phillips founded in february 1952. Sun records shared the same building as sun studio formerly memphis recording service.
Production companies for national radio broadcasts, major cable networks, and video game companies have used our studios to record voice overs for their projects and you can too. Sun was the first label to record elvis presley, charlie rich, roy orbison, jerry lee lewis, carl perkins, and johnny cash. Sam rented a small space at 706 union avenue for his own allpurpose studio. Today our goal is to spread the story of memphis history. Memphis is a city steeped in american history, from the civil war and prohibition, to the birth of blues, soul, and rock n roll. The label was launched amid a growing number of independent labels.
Nov 28, 2001 sun records founder sam phillips looks back at the memphis recording studio s musical legacy in an interview with morning editions bob edwards. Sun studios 706 union ave memphis, tn 38103 save money and time by reserving a parking space near sun studios now. Jim stewart at stax saw sam phillips selling records and bought his own recorder. King, johnny cash, roy orbison and countless other superstar musicians launched their illustrious careers. Elvis presley recorded his first song at sun studio, arguably the birthplace of rock and roll. Stop by to take a guided tour of the studio s headquarters and see equipment used to record some of the. Memphis zoo is one of americas most attractive and you can enjoy scenic walks along the banks of the mississippi river. Npr morning edition sam phillips, the legacy of sun. This memphis recording studio launched the careers of jerry lee lewis, johnny cash, and elvis presley. The histories of the most iconic recording studios sun, motown, abbey road have made them almost as famous as. Pass victorian homes, historical statues and cultural landmarks like the pyramid arena and the lorraine hotel, where martin luther king jr was assassinated. Radio engineer sam phillips opened sun studio as the memphis recording service in january, 1950 to record the blues greats from the region who had no place else to record in the south.
Sun studio is the very place where elvis, jerry lee lewis, b. Production companies for national radio broadcasts, major cable networks, and video game companies have used our studios to record voice overs for their projects. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. The original sun records logo was designed by john gale parker jr. Sun studio in memphis is the historic studio where icons like elvis and johnny cash recorded their hits. Sun studio is open 7 days a week as an attraction giving tours of the studio. Sun studio memphis 2020 all you need to know before you. Feb 25, 2020 we really enjoyed our time at sun studios. Memphis city tour with sun studio upgrade 2020 viator. Located in downtown memphis, sun studio is open to visitors seven days a week from 10 a.
Get to know the musical history of memphis with this comprehensive music attraction discount pass. This book was well received, and offered a great insight into the history behind the company. Sep 10, 2012 the forgotten story of memphis american studios memphis has been a music town since anyone can remember, and its had places to record that music since there have been records. Free shuttle bus once an hour tofrom the rock n soul. But after each days last tour has wrapped, the shrine gets back to its rootsas a recording studio. Sun studio memphis updated april 2020 top tips before you. Follow in the footsteps of legends like bb king, ike turner, and elvis presley. Feb 11, 2019 step back in time at sun studio in memphis, tennessee. Jason freeman, of sun studio, recounts the studio s founding and. King and elvis presley to johnny cash and jerry lee lewis. Sun records studios sun records studio sun studio sun studio beale street sun records sun, memphis sun, usa.
Heres why mick jagger met jerry lee lewis in memphis. The forgotten story of memphis american studios memphis has been a music town since anyone can remember, and its had places to record that. Known as the birth place of rock n roll, sun studio ushered in future legends such as elvis presley, johnny cash, and b. Step back in time at sun studio in memphis, tennessee. Sam phillips opened sun studio in 1950 with the goal of capturing the pure, raw energy of beale street.
Sun studio is the body around which memphis music orbits and where it all began. Its wellknown in the music industry as the birthplace of rock n roll and the most famous recording studio in the world. He named it sun records as a sign of his perpetual optimism. The legendary sun studio in memphis a total out of body. About sun studio the historic memphis recording studio. King, and discover why the legendary studios are known as the birthplace of rock n roll.
A music lovers mustvisit, sun studio helped birth the careers of legends such as elvis, jerry lee lewis, johnny. Sun records founder sam phillips looks back at the memphis recording studio s musical legacy in an interview with morning editions bob edwards. May 29, 2014 sun studio is the body around which memphis music orbits and where it all began. Sun studio memphis 2020 all you need to know before. Npr morning edition sam phillips, the legacy of sun records.
Sun records is an american independent record label founded by producer sam phillips in memphis, tennessee in february 1952. Sun studio makes a comeback cover feature memphis news. Includes a tour of legendary sun studios, where some of the greatest singers recorded their music including elvis presley, johnnie. But sun studio is actually the place where iconic ro. When visiting memphis, take a guided, 45minute tour of sun studio, the birthplace of rock and roll and the most famous recording studio in the world. A bit of history but visit the official sun studios website to find out much more. The birthplace of rock n roll and home to the million dollar quartet elvis presley, johnny cash, jerry lee lewis, b. Unless youre a super fan and i do mean super of some americas greatest music artists of the 1950s, or youre my mothers age, you probably wouldnt know sun studio like you would, say, capitol records. See top memphis attractions on this narrated sightseeing tour that takes you along the mississippi river. The legendary sun studio welcome to the birthplace of rock n roll.
Good rockin tonight and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Memphis boys chronicles the story of the rhythm section at chips momans american studios from 1964, when the group began working together, until 1972, when moman shut down the studio and moved the entire operation to atlanta. Book flights to memphis and relive a special era of musical history. On this walking tour, learn all about memphis through the ages, visit landmarks such as the court square fountain and confederate park, and explore beale street. Sep, 2018 heres why mick jagger met jerry lee lewis in memphis. The studio was originally called memphis recording service and shared a building with the sun records label. Recording studios in memphis, tennessee founded in 1952 along with the sun record company by sam phillips 2. On this guided studio tour, follow in the footsteps of jerry lee lewis and b. Sun studio is open 7 days a week as an attraction giving tours of the. Sun studio is a recording studio opened by rockandroll pioneer sam phillips at 706 union avenue in memphis, tennessee, on january 3, 1950. Rock legends working on biopic of sun studios founder sam phillips. Alabamaborn dj sam phillips opens his memphis recording service studio at 706 union avenue, the precursor to his sun records label. Sun studio the place where an 18 year old elvis presley recorded his first song. Memphis recording service earned the title of birthplace of rock and roll in 1951 when jackie brenston and ike turner recorded rocket 88, a song with a heavy backbeat and a sound all its own.
Tripadvisor sun studio admission with guided tour provided. Visit the legendary sun studios and learn how a real gibson guitar is made at the gibson factory. Please contact our studio engineer for more information. Purchased this as a secret santa gift for a colleague, who has visited sun studios and is very much into their rock n roll music. It was originally called memphis recording service, sharing the same building with the sun records label business.
As soon as we close down daytime operations we open up for recording around 7pm. Graceland, sun studio, rock n soul museum, stax museum. Sun studio was opened by rock pioneer sam phillips in memphis, tennessee, on 1950. The birthplace of rock n roll and home to the million dollar quartet elvis presley, johnny cash, jerry lee lewis. Sun studio resources sun studio site the sun story at the rockabilly hall of fame sun records site wikipedia entry for sun studios gene simmons sun years on myspace scotty moore official website history of sun studio the tennesse 3 memphis about dot com rockabilly hall of fame.
This is a category about a place or building that is listed on the national register of historic places in the united states of america. Usatoday 10best named sun one of the worlds best musical attractions second only to memphiss graceland. It is the discovery location of musical legends and genres of the 50s from b. Sun studios parking find reserved parking near sun studios. Sun studio is known worldwide as the birthplace of rockn roll.
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