12June2008 Sun Studio in Memphis Tn

We wanted to get to New Orleans, which was 400 miles away from Memphis. However, Sun Studio beckoned.

Sun Studio was reputedly the site where the first rock n roll single was recorded in 1951. Rock n roll’s development into an important music genre was attributed to the work done by studio owner Sam Philips. Many artists were ‘discovered’ at Sun Studio. This was also the location where numerous big names cut their hits. Rock n roll’s influence on youth led to far reaching changes in American society. In recognition of this, Sun Studio was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Of course, Sun Studio was where the King cut his first record. I stood on the exact same spot where Elvis made his first recording whilst still a teenager. What an eerie feeling! It gave me the goose bumps just thinking about it. In the same room,
Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash jammed together one fateful Dec day in 1955. Decades later, Sept 1985, the survivors, with the inclusion of Roy Orbison, gathered here as the Class of 55 to commemorate the King’s achievements. Wow!


The six hour drive to New Orleans was uneventful. We did try an eatery - The Huddle - off the exit for Winona. For fast food course, it wasn’t bad.

Now we are billeted at Prince Conti Hotel just off Bourbon St in the French Quarter. We were assigned a suite with a conference table that could seat 10 since the hotel was full! The lounge even opened onto a private leafy courtyard


Distance traveled 407.7 miles


The Sun Studio entrance openned onto a soda fountain cum souvenir shop. Visitors waited here before the next tour started.


Best to pick up a few things before the tour commenced


There among the vinyls at the back of the shop was a rare photo of Elvis without a shirt on


A youthful Sam Philips at the recording console


Memorabilia of stars from pre-Elvis days


Elvis on his way to stardom, rubbing shoulders with other famous musicians


A rare picture of young Elvis in cowboy gear


The screen showed his appearances on national television - his fame gaining momentum


The Million Dollar Quartet


It was still early days, Scotty Moore his back up guitar man looked like a young school boy


All the stuff 'they' used was still in the studio! You can 'feel' their presence there.


Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis and Johnny Cash in a once-in-a-life-time jam session. It was not a formal recording session but Sam Philips got it on tape anyway. Sam Philips thought Carl Perkins would be a great star, maybe bigger than Elvis! In fact he sold Elvis' contract to a big studio later on.


See the cross on the floor? That was where the recording artist was required to stand. Well, there I was on the same spot that Elvis and many other big names stood


From the office, one could look into the recording studio.



Elvis, with Sam Philips and his secretary Marion Keisker. In the beginning, Sam didn't think much of Elvis after he cut his first record. But she always thought Elvis had great potential. At her constant urging, Sam finally gave in and allowed Elvis more recordings to explore different arrangements


Can you imagine Elvis hanging around Marion Keisker's desk, persuading her to put him in Sam's good graces?