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All the United States Tennessee Memphis Sun Studio

Sun Studio

This Memphis recording studio launched the careers of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley.

Memphis, Tennessee

Added By
collinqburke
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Entrance on Union Ave, just around the corner from Beale Street   collinqburke / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance on Union Ave, just around the corner from Beale Street   collinqburke / Atlas Obscura User
On the tour, recording booth through the glass   collinqburke / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the booth   collinqburke / Atlas Obscura User
The famous Sun neon   Mr. Littlehand on Flickr
The Memphis Recording Service, the original front entrance to Sun Studio   Arturo Sotillo on Flickr
Once of the magic mics that that captured the Sun sound   Mish Sukharev on Flickr
Sun Studio, original home of Sun Records   David Jones on WikiCommons
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Sun Studio   movesbrit / Atlas Obscura User
Entry of Sun Records   movesbrit / Atlas Obscura User
  notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
Sun Studio guitar   abandonedexplorerscom / Atlas Obscura User
Sun Studio window   abandonedexplorerscom / Atlas Obscura User
Sun Studio building   abandonedexplorerscom / Atlas Obscura User
Passing on the road   evilgreentriangle / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Sam Phillips opened the Memphis Recording Service in 1950 in a small storefront just off Beale Street in downtown Memphis. Two years later he started Sun Records – and sparked a music revolution.

There are probably more than a few origin stories of rock & roll, but it’s tough to beat the story of Sam Phillips’ 1951 recording of “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. Co-written by Ike Turner (who also played keyboards on the single) it was released on Chess Records but was recorded by Phillips at his little studio on Union Avenue. That was only the beginning.

Phillips recorded a remarkable roster of blues and R&B talent in the early 1950s, with names like Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Parker, and B.B. King. After a couple of years operating as a recording studio for hire, he started his own label, Sun Records, and the explosion of rock & roll put his little yellow label on the map. He recorded and released early records by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Roy Orbison. And when a truck driver from Tupelo, Mississippi wandered into the studio in 1954 to “see what he sounded like,” Elvis Presley walked out with his first record.

What's fascinating is the story of  Marion Keisker, Sam's assistant, who was the first to see, hear and record Elvis's first track. She saw his talent and potential immediately but took some time to convince Sam to trust her judgment. 

There must have been magic in the microphones during those early days at Sun, on one occasion capturing the combined talents of what came to be known as the Million Dollar Quartet — Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins all in the studio together. Phillips moved to a larger space in 1959, and held onto his label for another ten years, finally selling it to Mercury Records in 1969. Sun Records went quiet until 1985 when the original location was relaunched as Sun Studio, to record again and invite the public in for tours. And to put some magic back in those mics. 

Related Tags

Music Elvis

Know Before You Go

Just a couple of minutes from Beale Street in downtown Memphis. Open from 10:00 to 6:00, with the last tour starting at 5:30. An hour to an hour and a half is expected when visiting.

  • Tickets cost $15 and there is a $2 discount for students, military, and AAA.
  • Children 5-11 are free. However, children under the age of 5 are not permitted on the guided tour.
  • Free parking is located behind the building. 

Community Contributors

Added By

collinqburke

Edited By

hrnick, caz, Robert Rose, movesbrit...

  • hrnick
  • caz
  • Robert Rose
  • movesbrit
  • notoriousFIG
  • abandonedexplorerscom
  • Collector of Experiences
  • breaingram
  • evilgreentriangle

Published

February 25, 2016

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Studio
  • http://www.sunrecords.com/about
  • https://www.ytravelblog.com/things-to-do-in-memphis-with-kids/
  • http://www.sunstudio.com/plan-your-tour/
  • https://britonthemove.com/sun-studio/
Sun Studio
706 Union Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee, 38103
United States
35.139293, -90.037712
Visit Website
Get Directions

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