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Sun Studio | Memphis, TN

@thelegendarysunstudio

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🎶Birthplace of Rock and Roll
📍706 Union Avenue Memphis, Tennessee

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From left to right: Cowboy Jack Clement, unidentified, unidentified, Sam Phillips, and Billy Lee Riley standing around the Ampex tape machine. Then and now. 📸: @countrymusichof

#samphillips #cowboyjackclement #billyleeriley #sunrecords #sunstudio by @thelegendarysunstudio

We lost longtime Sun Studio engineer/producer James Lott. If you recorded here during the 80s, 90s, or early 2000s you most likely experienced his kindness, patience, humor, and know-how. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. by @thelegendarysunstudio

C. for Cornelius. Sam Phillips signed a $75 month to month lease. That was considered to be a favor by the landlord who didn’t believe Sam’s crazy idea of a recording studio would pan out. Here we are 76 years later…

#memphisrecordingservice #sunstudio #sunrecords #samphillips #elvis by @thelegendarysunstudio

We had a great time in Memphis , made a stop at @thelegendarysunstudio before heading back to #neworleans @glen_david_andrews by @thelegendarysunstudio

Yesterday was a good day as we remembered our friend and legendary Sun Studio drummer JM Van Eaton with a brass note on Beale Street. JM was the beat behind some of Sun’s biggest hits including Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin.” He was also a founding member of Billy Lee Riley’s “Little Green Men.” A who’s who of Memphis music was in attendance including the son of Sam Phillips, Jerry Phillips. JM was such a cool cat. So many fond memories of him hanging out with us in the cafe talking to fans and sharing stories. Always generous with his time. We sure do miss him, but the beat goes on!

#sunrecords #sunstudio #jmvaneaton #jerryleelewis #samphillips @sunrecordcompany @rockonjerry @jerryleelewisthekiller by @thelegendarysunstudio

We get lots of folks ask about the space next to the studio. Today it’s our gift shop and cafe. In the 50’s it was Taylor’s Restaurant, owned and operated by Dell Taylor from 1948-1977. Originally a bakery, the restaurant was often a hangout for those recording next door. Sometimes it was a makeshift office for Sam Phillips where he would drink coffee, have meetings, and occasionally sign new artists to his Sun roster including a 19 year old Elvis Presley. Upstairs was a boarding house where some of these guys used to live including Roy Orbison. We acquired the space in the early 90s after the studio had reopened as a tourist attraction. Cruise these photos and see this building through the years including a pic of Mrs. Taylor and her daughter Rosemary, plus a really cool photo from the early 70s of Sam Phillips with some neighborhood kids posing in front of Taylor’s Restaurant. by @thelegendarysunstudio

On this date in 1950, Sam Phillips opened The Memphis Recording Service and the rest is rock ‘n’ roll history! Much has been written on what took place inside that modest 18’ x 33’ room during the 50s, but history gets a little fuzzy in the 60s & 70s after Sam changed locations. Here’s a few pics of 706 Union Avenue through the years… A barber shop? A scuba repair shop? Wha? Luckily the integrity and charm of the original building was still in tact when we reopened in the 80s as Sun Studio.(Swipe👉)

#sunstudio #memphisrecordingservice #sunrecords #samphillips by @thelegendarysunstudio

On this day in 1956, an impromptu jam session took place at Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, featuring Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. This legendary gathering become known as the “Million Dollar Quartet”.

📸 1 & 2 (?) by George Pierce of the Million Dollar Quartet which comprised of (L to R) Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

📸 4 by David English of Bob Johnson, Sam Phillips, Elvis and UPI reporter Lee Soroka

@thelegendarysunstudio @sunrecordcompany @elvis #samphillips #ElvisPresley #JohnnyCash #carlperkins #jerryleelewis #rocknroll #memphis #tennessee @visitgraceland @johnnycash by @thelegendarysunstudio

Today in 1956, at Sun Record Studios, Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash became the Million Dollar Quartet. by @thelegendarysunstudio

70 years ago today! After the sale of Elvis’ contract in 1955, Sam Phillips had new money to invest. He partnered with friend and Holiday Inn founder, Kemmons Wilson, to open America’s first all-female radio station. WHER was staffed entirely by women, including announcers, sales staff, copy-writers, and management. The roster also included Sun staffers, Marion Keisker, Sally Wilburn, and Sam’s wife, Becky Phillips. On air for 17 years, the women of WHER were broadcasting pioneers. Becky’s signature sign-off was, ”A smile on your face puts a smile in your voice” and that’s exactly what listeners would hear at “1000 Beautiful Watts!”❤️

#wheradio #sunstudio #sunrecords #holidayinn #kemmonswilson #samphillips #femaleempowerment #womanempowerment
@sunrecordcompany by @thelegendarysunstudio

Y’all tune in tonight! BBC’s @robbrydon stops by the studio and talks to Sam Phillip’s son @rockonjerry & singer-songwriter/tour guide @markedgarstuart.🤘🏻@bbciplayer @bbcradio2 by @thelegendarysunstudio

It was 40 years ago this month that the surviving members of “The Million Dollar Quartet” plus Roy Orbison, and a whole crew of rowdy friends got together at Sun Studio for a rock ‘n roll homecoming. It was aptly called, “The Class Of 55.” Here’s a few photos from that session plus some never before seen pics thanks to Reggie Young (son of THE Reggie Young, legendary session guitarist for Elvis, Willie, Waylon etc…) How about that Sam Phillips photobomb with Reggie and John Fogerty?! Actually, that particular photo was at Chips Moman’s American Studio the same week. First pic is all four of ‘em in front of Sun with Marty Stuart. Love the old “Walker Radiator” sign in the background. Those were our neighbors for decades, they just moved out a few years ago. Thanks again Reggie for giving us permission to share some of your dad’s personal photos. What a life!🙏🏽

#sunrecords #sunstudio #memphisrecordingservice @officialroyorbison @johnnycash @jerryleelewisthekiller @martystuart @sunrecordcompany

Pic 1 📸: @earhartgir by @thelegendarysunstudio