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Showing posts with label Sam Phillips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sam Phillips. Show all posts

Monday, June 12, 2023

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.  

To start off this week is the late, great Roy Orbison with "Mean Woman Blues" from 1963. The first video is the original studio version and then a live version from 1972 in Australia.

From Wikipedia:

Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as operatic, earning him the nicknames "The Caruso of Rock" and "The Big O". Many of Orbison's songs conveyed vulnerability at a time when most male rock-and-roll performers chose to project machismo. He performed while standing motionless and wearing black clothes to match his dyed black hair and dark sunglasses.

Born in Texas, Orbison began singing in a rockabilly and country-and-western band as a teenager. He was signed by Sam Phillips of Sun Records in 1956, but enjoyed his greatest success with Monument Records. From 1960 to 1966, 22 of Orbison's singles reached the Billboard Top 40. He wrote or co-wrote almost all of his own Top 10 hits, including "Only the Lonely" (1960), "Running Scared" (1961), "Crying" (1961), "In Dreams" (1963), and "Oh, Pretty Woman" (1964).

 

 

Saturday, November 19, 2022

Sun Records Selling Elvis Presley's Contract Was A Smart Move

Above, an autographed photo of Elvis Presley at Sun Studio. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nowadays, $35,000 does not seem like too much money to sell a rising star's record contract to RCA Victor, but that was the amount Sun Records' Sam Phillips sold Elvis Presley's contract for.

In interviews over the years, Sam Phillips said he never regretted selling Presley's contract. 

Far Out Magazine (U.K) has posted an article on how that tidy sum made Phillips a wealthy man. 

It begins with:

John Lennon once said, “Before Elvis there was nothing.” You’d imagine that inventing everything, at least in Lennon’s words, comes with a hefty price tag. Unfortunately, for Sun Records, it’s a story akin to Newell’s Old Boys having to sell Leo Messi to Barcelona: when the big guys come a-knocking, you just have to answer the call and take what you can get. The $35,000 fee might not sound like a lot in retrospect but taking a risk on a fledgling talent changing the world and holding out for more was too perilous. 

We all know what happened to Elvis’ finances at the hands of Colonel Tom Parker, but what of Sun Records’ side of the story once ‘The King’ left the building and signed for RCA? Well, if you adjust the figure for inflation, the deal scored the little Memphis music mogul, Sam Phillips, a tidy $389,000—it might not make you a tycoon, but it could snap you up a fine country home. 

Above, a display at Sun Studio. Sam Phillips is on the right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here

Friday, October 8, 2021

Everything Fans Need To Know About Visiting Graceland

Above, Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is planning a vacation trip or taking a business trip to Memphis, Tennessee and have some free time, a visit to Elvis Presley's Graceland is something to consider doing.

I have been to Graceland twice. Most recently, it was during a cross-country trip I took in 2016. Not long after that trip, new visitor facilities were opened making the experience even more special to fans.

The Travel has posted an article on everything fans need to know about visiting Graceland, including accommodations. 

During my 2016 visit, I stayed across the street at the Graceland RV Park & Campground. 

They start off with:

Elvis has left the building - so go and tour it! One of the greatest attractions in Memphis, Tennessee is Graceland - the former home of Elvis Presley. It is a stunning mansion on a 13.8-acre estate and is open to the public. One can come and see the museum about Elvis, tour the opulent mansion, see the picturesque gardens, and see and tour his private jet.

Elvis certainly did not live a humble life as King of Rock 'n' Roll. After years of drug abuse, he suddenly died at his home at Graceland at the age of 42. Visiting his home is one of the best ways to really understand this iconic figure of the 1970s. Graceland is the most visited privately-owned home in the US...

Above, The Beast at Graceland RV Park & Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I would also recommend a visit to Sun Studio, where Elvis made his first recordings with Sam Phillips.

To read more, go here

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Rare Look Into Sam Phillips Recording Studio


Above, the recording studio at Sun Studio, where Sam Phillips started his business. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is something I wasn't aware of. 

Sam Phillips, who launched Elvis Presley's and Johnny Cash's careers, built a newer and larger studio in 1959 that "only the stars" were able to enter. It is Sam Phillips Recording Studio.

Four years ago, I toured the original Sun Studio in Memphis, but the larger Sam Phillips Recording Studio facility is closed to tours. It is still used today.

WMC posted an article on the other studio along with a video tour.

It begins with:

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He launched Elvis Presley’s career: Sam Phillips, the founder of one of Memphis’ first and most noted record labels.

His son Jerry Phillips gave our Kontji Anthony a rare look inside Sam Phillips Recording Studio along Madison Avenue.

“We have cigarette burns right here that came from Johnny Cash because he had a bad habit of sticking his cigarettes down and leaving them,” Phillips pointed out.

“The Bar” inside Sam Phillips Recording Studio is where some of the world’s most famous musicians hideout between recording sessions.

Jerry Phillips is head honcho of the studio built after his father founded and then outgrew Sun Studio.

“When he had some success with Elvis and Carl Perkins, he built his dream studio,” Phillips explained.

To read more and see the video, go here.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

62nd Anniversary of "Million Dollar Quartet"

Above, a giant photo of the "Million Dollar Quartet" adorns the soda fountain at Sun Studio. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was 62 years ago today that the "Million Dollar Quartet" held an impromptu jam session at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.

The quartet consisted of Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.

Fortunately for music fans, the jam session was recorded by Sam Phillips and it has been released on CD.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

It's All About The Music



My DVD Limited Collector's Edition of Elvis Presley: The Searcher arrived in yesterday's mail and I watched it last night after returning home from the Gallup UFO Film Festival. It was due to arrive tomorrow, so it arrived two days early. I bought it through Amazon.

It was as enjoyable as when I first saw it last April when I checked into the Gallup Red Roof Inn (since I don't have HBO here).

The Limited Collector's Edition includes a 20-page book of rare photos and an extra consisting of a "conversation" with Priscilla Presley, Thom Zimny, Jerry Schilling and Scott Goldman. One interesting tidbit from the conversation was that because members of Elvis's entourage (the "Memphis Mafia") are dying off, especially the passing of Joe Esposito, it spurred Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling to get the documentary started.

There's a few things I missed during my April viewing, including the audio of Gladys Presley (Elvis's mother) singing "Home Sweet Home". The audio is in the special edition CD, but I didn't remember hearing it in the video. But there it was.

If one happens to be an Elvis fan, a fan of rock 'n roll or just a music fan in general, there's much in this documentary that will please and enlighten. The whole documentary is outstanding, particularly the first part involving Sam Phillips, Sun Studio and Beale Street in Memphis.

The running time is about 205 minutes.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

"Million Dollar Quartet" Coming To Redondo Beach

Above, the studio where the historic jam session took place. A photo of
the "Million Dollar Quartet" is on the wall at left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Of all the luck! Just after moving out of Southern California it is announced that the musical play, "Million Dollar Quartet" is coming to Redondo Beach tomorrow.

According to The Beach Reporter:
On Dec. 4, 1956, future legends Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash joined Carl Perkins and Sun Records founder Sam Phillips in a fluke jam session that itself would become legend. More than 50 years later, “Million Dollar Quartet,” a musical that dramatizes that session, debuted on a Florida stage. 
3D Theatricals, which announced last year that 2018 is their last season in Redondo Beach, opens its production of “Million Dollar Quartet,” Friday, Feb. 9, at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Closing night is Sunday, Feb. 18.
Above, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash at left during the jam session.

I visited the Sun Studio in Memphis in 2016 and the studio where the jam session took place and soda fountain were adorned with photos of the "Million Dollar Quartet".

To read more, go here.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

More of Sun Studio

Above, an autographed photo of Elvis Presley that is mounted inside over the main entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one happens to be a fan of classic rock 'n roll or music history in general, I would enthusiastically recommend a visit to Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.

It is still a working studio. Musicians, including current stars, come in at night to record. During the day, the studio is open for tours.

I posted about the tour here. The photos posted about the tour hardly scratched the surface.

Here are some more:


Above, Sun Studio building in Memphis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, 45 r.p.m. records available for purchase. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, two Memphis newspapers announcing Elvis Presley's death. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sam Phillips at the recording console with displays of recording equipment. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Dewey Phillips' broadcasting booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the sign describing the role of Dewey Phillips in
the start of Elvis Presley's career. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an old soda machine. It even pre-dates me. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, three stars of Sun Records: Junior Parker, Elvis Presley and Bobby Blue Bland. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Sun Studio, Where Music History Was Made

Above, Sun Studio. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I was in rock 'n roll music heaven when I took the tour of Sam Phillips' Sun Studio in Memphis.

The shuttle from the Graceland bus terminal wasn't operating today and I wasn't about to drive The Beast to Sun Studio. So I took a taxi over.

Above, the store and soda fountain. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the soda fountain and the "Million Dollar Quartet". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Sun Studio building is quite narrow. It is triangular in shape, but when inside, it isn't noticeable. Upon entry, there is a gift shop with a soda fountain counter.

Above, the outside of the building from a differnt angle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The tours are held every hour at the half hour. Our tour guide was Tiffany. She was quite informative.

First, we headed upstairs to see display cases of various kinds of recording equipment along with a timeline of history of Sun Records. The room was once the radio broadcast station of Dewey Phillips.

Above, the building from another angle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sun Records was most notable for launching the careers of Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, The Howlin' Wolf, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and many others.

After looking at the displays upstairs we were then brought down to the actual recording studio where Elvis recorded "That's All Right Mama".

There were "Xs" on the floor where Elvis, Scotty Moore and Bill Black stood while recording.

The Sun Studio is still a recording studio. They conduct tours during the day and hold recording sessions at night. Some current recording stars record there.

Above, my souvenirs.

For souvenirs, I picked up a hat and a CD of the complete recordings of the "Million Dollar Quartet's" jam session. Elvis Presley, then under contract with RCA at the time, stopped in one night to visit friends and he was joined by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis (the only living member), Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. They ended up jamming that night and the full recording of the session was released only ten years ago.

A visit to Sun Studio is a must for music history buffs!

Photos from the tour:

Above, the display room and Dewey Phillips' broadcast booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the broadcast desk of D.J. Dewey Phillips. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the many recording machines on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the office of Marion Keisker, the woman who discovered Elvis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the recording studio that made Elvis a star. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a fuller view of the recording studio. The "Xs" mark where Elvis and the band stood. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sam Phillips' control booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Tiffany, our tour guide. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the acoustic ceiling of the studio. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a vocal microphone dating back to the 1950s. The
 "X" marks where Elvis stood. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more photos of Sun Studio, go here.

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