Sun Studio
History of Sun Studio:
Sun Studio opened in Memphis on January 3, 1950 by record producer, Sam Phillips. The studio was originally called Memphis Recording Service and shared a building with the Sun Records label. 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.
Rock and roll was born.
Elvis at Sun Studio:
In 1953, an 18 year old Elvis Presley walked into Memphis Recording Service with a cheap guitar and a dream. Nervously, he sang a demo song, failing to impress Sam Phillips. Elvis continued to hang around the studio, however, and in 1954, Sam Phillips asked him to sing again, backed by a band made up of Scotty Moore and Bill Black. After hours of recording and nothing to show for it, Elvis began playing around with an old blues song, "That's Alright, Mama." The rest, is of course, history.
Beyond Rock and Roll:
There was more than just rock and roll being recorded at Sun Studio. Big names in country and rockabilly like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Rich were all signed by Sun Records and recorded their albums there throughout the 1950's. It was then that Sam Phillips opened a larger studio on Madison Avenue.
Visiting Sun Studio:
Today, Sun Studio is back in its original location on Union Avenue. Not only is it a recording studio, but a popular tourist attraction, as well.
Here is all you need to know to visit this National Historic Landmark:
Address
706 Union Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Phone
Local: 901-521-0664
Toll Free: 800-441-6249
Website
www.sunstudio.com
Tours
Sun Studio is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tours begin every hour on the half-hour, with the last tour beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tour tickets cost $9.50 per person but children under 12 are free. Children 3 years and under are not permitted on the tour.
Sun Studio opened in Memphis on January 3, 1950 by record producer, Sam Phillips. The studio was originally called Memphis Recording Service and shared a building with the Sun Records label. 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.
Rock and roll was born.
Elvis at Sun Studio:
In 1953, an 18 year old Elvis Presley walked into Memphis Recording Service with a cheap guitar and a dream. Nervously, he sang a demo song, failing to impress Sam Phillips. Elvis continued to hang around the studio, however, and in 1954, Sam Phillips asked him to sing again, backed by a band made up of Scotty Moore and Bill Black. After hours of recording and nothing to show for it, Elvis began playing around with an old blues song, "That's Alright, Mama." The rest, is of course, history.
Beyond Rock and Roll:
There was more than just rock and roll being recorded at Sun Studio. Big names in country and rockabilly like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Rich were all signed by Sun Records and recorded their albums there throughout the 1950's. It was then that Sam Phillips opened a larger studio on Madison Avenue.
Visiting Sun Studio:
Today, Sun Studio is back in its original location on Union Avenue. Not only is it a recording studio, but a popular tourist attraction, as well.
Here is all you need to know to visit this National Historic Landmark:
Address
706 Union Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Phone
Local: 901-521-0664
Toll Free: 800-441-6249
Website
www.sunstudio.com
Tours
Sun Studio is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tours begin every hour on the half-hour, with the last tour beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tour tickets cost $9.50 per person but children under 12 are free. Children 3 years and under are not permitted on the tour.
