They call Elvis Presley "The King of Rock & Roll," but what many people don't know is that without Sam Phillips, there would be no Elvis Presley. Originally from Alabama, Mr. Phillips fell in love with Beale Street in the late 1930s and moved to Memphis in the mid-1940s to work at a radio station. On January 3, 1950, Mr. Phillips opened the Memphis Recording Service at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. That building still stands today as Sun Studios.
Mr. Phillips recorded "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats in 1951, which is considered by many to be the first ever rock & roll record. He also discovered and recorded some of Memphis' most legendary blues artists, such as Rufus Thomas, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King and more. Mr. Phillips also provided the opportunity for many other future superstars to make their first records, including, but not limited to, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and many, many more. Mr. Phillips was a part of the first group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and he was the first ever non-performer inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Sam Phillips lived to 80 years old, passing away of respiratory failure in his beloved Memphis, Tennessee on July 30, 2003. Elvis may still be the King, but Sam Phillips is without a doubt the Godfather of Rock & Roll. Rest in peace Sam!
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| Sam Phillips - Founder of the Memphis Recording Service (Sun Studios/Sun Records) |
