In 1952, Sam Phillips established Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Born in Alabama in 1923, Phillips had worked in the radio industry before opening his Memphis Recording Service studio in 1950. His initial focus was capturing the work of local blues musicians like B.B. King. The rebranding to Sun Records in 1952 symbolized Phillips’ desire for a fresh start.
Sun Records quickly developed a reputation for fairness and openness to local musicians of diverse backgrounds. To supplement income, Phillips offered the public personal recording services for special events and messages.
Despite the challenges of a competitive music industry, Sun Records became a pivotal force in musical history. It is widely recognized for recording what is often cited as the first true rock and roll song. The label also served as a launchpad for legendary figures in rock, rockabilly, and country music.
Elvis Presley and Sun Records
Elvis Presley graduated from Hume High School in 1953. At 18, he worked as a truck driver in Memphis. He had a passion for singing, and for his mother’s birthday, he made a demo recording at Sun Records in Memphis. His song choices were “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.”
It’s unclear whether label owner Sam Phillips was present initially. Some sources indicate Phillips’ secretary noted Elvis as a potential talent, while Phillips himself claimed he knew Elvis was special right away. Regardless, Phillips was interested in hearing more.
In 1954, Elvis returned to Sun Records, joining guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black for a session. They worked on various songs, and during a break, Elvis launched into a rendition of Arthur Crudup’s blues song “That’s All Right”. Phillips recorded the performance and shared it with radio DJ Dewey Phillips (no relation) who played it that same night, creating a surge of listener demand.
Sun Records released five Elvis Presley singles over the following year. Due to financial strains, Sam Phillips sold Elvis’ contract to RCA in 1955 for $35,000, a record-setting amount at the time. Elvis achieved massive success with RCA, but he maintained a friendship with Sam Phillips, who never regretted his decision to sell the contract.
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash demonstrated musical ability early, purchasing his first guitar while serving in the US Air Force in Germany. After completing his service, he settled in Memphis with his wife Vivian. He worked as an appliance salesman while forming a musical group, the Tennessee Two, with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant.
Cash repeatedly tried to secure an audition with Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records. Initially unsuccessful, Phillips eventually granted Cash an opportunity. After hearing a gospel performance, Phillips advised Cash to return with material that had broader commercial appeal.
Cash returned repeatedly with songs and was eventually signed to Sun Records in 1955. His first recordings for the label were “Hey Porter” and “Cry Cry Cry”. His song “Folsom Prison Blues”, written in Germany, became a major country hit.
Cash became Sun’s first artist to release a full-length album. Maintaining top-selling status at Sun for a time, he moved to Columbia Records in 1958. Over a five-decade career, Cash sold more than 90 million albums, successfully crossing between country and rock genres. He continued recording into his later years, passing away in 2003.
Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins, a pioneering figure in the rockabilly genre, found inspiration for his iconic song “Blue Suede Shoes” after a humorous encounter at a dance. Johnny Cash suggested the song title after he and Perkins witnessed a teenager scolding his companion for potentially scuffing his suede shoes. Perkins swiftly recorded the track in December of 1955. It quickly gained widespread popularity across country, blues, and pop music stations. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, just behind Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel”. Presley later recorded his version of “Blue Suede Shoes” but held off its release to avoid conflicting with Perkins’ success.
Perkins achieved impressive sales for “Blue Suede Shoes,” exceeding one million copies by April. He followed up with additional rockabilly classics like “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby”. Although these songs gained recognition, they did not match the commercial heights of his earlier hit. In 1958, he transitioned to Columbia Records. Later in his career, Perkins experienced both successes and setbacks, including the loss of two brothers who were in his band, a collaboration with the Beatles, a supporting role on Johnny Cash tours, and a residency in Las Vegas.
Despite never replicating the massive album sales of his Sun Records peers, Carl Perkins expressed contentment with his career and life. In 1987, Sam Phillips inducted him into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Perkins was married to Valda from 1953 until his passing in 1998 due to complications from a series of strokes. They had three sons, a daughter, and ten grandchildren.
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-2022) was a skilled American rock and roll pianist and singer. He earned the nickname “The Killer” for his energetic stage persona and dynamic performance style. Lewis’s career started at Sun Records in 1956, where he followed in the footsteps of Elvis Presley.
Lewis’s initial success came with the hit song “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” (1957), which rapidly climbed the charts. He followed this with “Great Balls of Fire,” another widely popular track. Lewis was known for his flamboyant stage presence, which included playing the piano standing up, kicking away the bench, and other theatrical gestures.
In 1958, Lewis’s promising career faced a major setback. While on tour in Britain, it was revealed that his thirteen-year-old wife, Myra Gale Brown, was also his cousin. Lewis was still legally married to his previous wife at the time. This caused a significant scandal, leading to boycotts of his music and the cancellation of his tour.
Lewis’s relationship with Sun Records ended in 1963 as the label became reluctant to support his work. He attempted a comeback in the late 1960s by transitioning to country music, achieving some success. However, his later life was marked by substance abuse issues and personal setbacks. Jerry Lee Lewis passed away in 2022.
