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Non Smiley Smile Stuff => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: Rocker on October 30, 2015, 12:32:25 PM



Title: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on October 30, 2015, 12:32:25 PM
(http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/66/ab/b7/66abb7059e9c4b8abf1c79338aae8979.jpg)




Slated for release this November!!



(http://www.ew.com/sites/default/files/1433431949/COVER%20Guralnick_SAMPHILLIPS.jpg)



Peter Guralnick talks about the man who discovered Elvis, and reveals cover of his new book

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/04/peter-guralnick-sam-phillips-biography




The author of the critically acclaimed Elvis Presley biography Last Train to Memphis brings us the life of Sam Phillips, the visionary genius who singlehandedly steered the revolutionary path of Sun Records.
The music that he shaped in his tiny Memphis studio with artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, Ike Turner, Howlin' Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash, introduced a sound that had never been heard before. He brought forth a singular mix of black and white voices passionately proclaiming the vitality of the American vernacular tradition while at the same time declaring, once and for all, a new, integrated musical day. With extensive interviews and firsthand personal observations extending over a 25-year period with Phillips, along with wide-ranging interviews with nearly all the legendary Sun Records artists, Guralnick gives us an ardent, unrestrained portrait of an American original as compelling in his own right as Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, or Thomas Edison.


http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/peter-guralnick/sam-phillips-the-man-who-invented-rock-n-roll/9780316042741/#desc





Companion CD:


(http://yeproc.11spot.com/media/catalog/product/cache/12/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/a/samphillips_themanwhoinventedrocknroll_sm_2.jpg)


Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll was curated by Peter Guralnick ( Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley) and accompanies his landmark Sam Phillips biography of the same title.  These tracks are a hand-picked selection of Sam Phillips productions that illustrate Phillips’ unique (sounds and sense) approach to recording and his cosmic genius.  A celebration of the period (1950 - 1961) in which Sam played a revolutionary role in the music business, this collection includes big hits, near misses and never-was tracks that encompass blues, country, gospel, r&b,  and the birth of rock & roll.



DISC 1

01. Jerry Lee Lewis - Hello Hello Baby

02. Howlin’ Wolf - Moanin’ at Midnight

03. The Prisonaires - Just Walkin’ in the Rain

04. Howlin’ Wolf - How Many More Years

05. Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (Ike Turner) - Rocket 88

06. Joe Hill Louis - Gotta Let You Go

07. The Jones Brothers - Every Night

08. Howard Seratt - Troublesome Waters

09. Jimmy and Walter - Easy

10. Jimmy and Walter - Before Long

11. Willie Nix - Lonesome Bedroom

12. Johnny Cash - Big River

13. Carl Perkins - Boppin’ the Blues

14. Doctor Ross - The Boogie Disease

15. Elvis Presley - Baby Let’s Play House

16. Roy Orbison - Ooby Dooby

17. Little Junior’s Blue Flames - Love My Baby

18. Carl Perkins - Matchbox

19. Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On

20. Billy Riley - Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll

21. B.B. King - She’s Dynamite

22. Howlin’ Wolf - Mr. Highway Man (Cadillac Daddy)

23. Rufus Thomas - Tiger Man

24. Sonny Burgess - Red-Headed Woman

25. Jerry Lee Lewis - End of the Road

26. Charlie Rich - Who Will the Next Fool Be?

27. Elvis Presley - Mystery Train

28. John Prine - How Lucky


DISC 2

01. Little Junior’s Blue Flames - Feelin’ Good

02. Jerry Lee Lewis - You’re the Only Star in My Blue Heaven

03. Carl Perkins - Turn Around

04. Jimmy DeBerry - Time Has Made a Change

05. Warren Smith - Miss Froggie

06. Willie Nix - Seems Like a Million Years

07. Billy “the Kid” Emerson - When It Rains It Pours

08. Elvis Presley - That’s All Right

09. Jerry Lee Lewis - You Win Again

10. Charlie Feathers - I’ve Been Deceived

11. Sleepy John Estes - Rats in My Kitchen

12. D.A. Hunt - Lonesome Ol’ Jail

13. Ernie Chaffin - Feelin’ Low

14. Charlie Rich - Sittin’ and Thinkin’

15. Johnny Cash - Hey Porter

16. Carl Perkins - Movie Magg

17. Harmonica Frank - Rockin’ Chair Daddy

18. Roscoe Gordon - Booted

19. James Cotton - Cotton Crop Blues

20. Joe Hill Louis - Dorothy Mae

21. Little Junior’s Blue Flames - Mystery Train

22. Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes

23. Warren Smith - Rock and Roll Ruby

24. Roy Orbison - Go Go Go

25. Jerry Lee Lewis - Settin’ the Woods on Fire

26. Million Dollar Quartet - I Shall Not Be Moved

27. Elvis Presley - Tryin’ to Get to You


http://yeproc.11spot.com/sam-phillips-sam-phillips-the-man-who-invented-rock-n-roll-pre-order-10-30.html









Here is the name giving documentary.

Part 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYcadYXsTyM


Part 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dan6idfM6sI





(http://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.Mf0399e0b180ed7ba4e8313c9b4e00e1ao0&pid=15.1)


(http://www.carlyjamison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sam-phillips-quote-554x400.jpg)


(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3614/5743049318_cfec93e8d5_z.jpg)



Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: PhilSpectre on November 05, 2015, 12:55:37 PM
Looks interesting.

To nitpick, I'm not mad about the title. In this more knowledgeable day and age, I don't think you can get away with claiming any white person 'invented' rock n' roll. Elvis never liked being called 'The King of Rock n' Roll' anyway, and certainly for me, Little Richard and Chuck Berry are the true 'kings' of rock n' roll, though imo the music has no single inventor, just a slow, murky emergence out of r n' b, country, blues and gospel.

I wonder if the book discusses Sam's bizarre latterday image -

(http://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/media/blogs/rth/troublingphillips.jpg)

(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQM4vsJfkt7ascXBrpWJTNmHJ5Z0XR74bOlFI5Kg1HoC1g28g9p)

 ;D


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 05, 2015, 09:26:21 PM
Looks interesting.

To nitpick, I'm not mad about the title. In this more knowledgeable day and age, I don't think you can get away with claiming any white person 'invented' rock n' roll. Elvis never liked being called 'The King of Rock n' Roll' anyway, and certainly for me, Little Richard and Chuck Berry are the true 'kings' of rock n' roll, though imo the music has no single inventor, just a slow, murky emergence out of r n' b, country, blues and gospel.

I wonder if the book discusses Sam's bizarre latterday image -

(http://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/media/blogs/rth/troublingphillips.jpg)

(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQM4vsJfkt7ascXBrpWJTNmHJ5Z0XR74bOlFI5Kg1HoC1g28g9p)

 ;D
I agree that it is not a good title for this book. Sam certainly was there in the beginning stages of rock and roll, but he didn't invent the music. Fats Domino was already cutting records when Sam got into the business. Gotta say I always loved listening to the man talk - just had on a 90's PBS rock special a few nights ago, and Sam is there quite a bit talking about Elvis, Perkins, JLL. He always sounded like a Southern preacher that had just a little too much to drink.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 06, 2015, 08:26:17 AM
The title of course is just to sell (and also was also the tile of a documentary by Guralnick, see my first post).
No one invented Rock'n'Roll. It just evolved. That's how it goes. Sam though had a vision from beginning of a social kind as he wanted to build a bridge between black and white folks.


Speaking of "bizarr".... Do you know this Letterman appearance by Sam? The only time he was on such a big show afaik and then this....  ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkknN4vCIGM


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: PhilSpectre on November 06, 2015, 12:32:04 PM
Speaking of "bizarr".... Do you know this Letterman appearance by Sam? The only time he was on such a big show afaik and then this....  ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkknN4vCIGM

Great fun, if not a great showcase for Sam the man and his esteemed place in music history.

Also interesting to see Paul Shaffer, with whom our man Brian later collaborated on the unreleased Sweet Insanity era instrumental 'Metal Beach'  8).

And here we have Sam Phillips - the Jeff Lynne Years -

(http://media.jrn.com/images/0626_mafe_g_mehr_1435091746001_20248654_ver1.0_640_480.jpg)

Sorry, Rocker, latter-day Sam Phillips' look just tickles my funny bone  ;D.

And finally, you'd never guess that this guy is one of Sam's sons, Mr Jerry Phillips, would you, huh?

(http://cache4.asset-cache.net/gc/485922052-panelist-recording-artist-jerry-phillips-son-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=X7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXkf6TFq4P09q7l%2Bjd4Vhx2pVpyHONc1wh6F2pzC%2Beng0L7h0EipOV7pD6oYtKeR3YA%3D%3D)


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: PhilSpectre on November 06, 2015, 12:42:04 PM
Gotta say I always loved listening to the man talk - just had on a 90's PBS rock special a few nights ago, and Sam is there quite a bit talking about Elvis, Perkins, JLL. He always sounded like a Southern preacher that had just a little too much to drink.

 ;D Totally agree. Watch this interview with Sam, talking about Elvis and from his tone only, I started to feel like Sam was confessing the story of his own sins and evangelizing how he found himself in the Lord.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry6E34Wa7gM


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Lonely Summer on November 06, 2015, 02:17:44 PM
Gotta say I always loved listening to the man talk - just had on a 90's PBS rock special a few nights ago, and Sam is there quite a bit talking about Elvis, Perkins, JLL. He always sounded like a Southern preacher that had just a little too much to drink.

 ;D Totally agree. Watch this interview with Sam, talking about Elvis and from his tone only, I started to feel like Sam was confessing the story of his own sins and evangelizing how he found himself in the Lord.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry6E34Wa7gM
I love how he says at the end "I just wish everyone could've known Elvis Presley the way I did". Thank God for Sam Phillips, if not for him, the world might never have known the great artistry of Elvis, a shy guy with no formal training in singing or guitar playing, no showbiz  connections; we might not have ever know Johnny Cash and his Tennessee Two - guys that could barely play their instruments, yet they had something unique, something different, and Sam recognized it.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 06, 2015, 03:26:05 PM
Well, to tell you the truth, when it comes down to Elvis and all that stuff, there's hardly anyone who's words make so much sense as Sam Phillips'.



Author Peter Guralnick on his new Sam Phillips biography

http://www.commercialappeal.com/entertainment/books/author-peter-guralnick-on-his-new-sam-phillips-biography-233212f1-ac43-4277-e053-0100007f2ccc-341160731.html


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 11, 2015, 11:48:40 AM
So, the book is out now!


“He had a vision for rock ‘n’ roll long before the music existed”: Peter Guralnick digs deep into the history of the man who made Elvis Presley
Salon talks to Peter Guralnick about his new biography of Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Studios


http://www.salon.com/2015/11/07/he_had_a_vision_for_rock_n_roll_long_before_the_music_existed_peter_guralnick_digs_deep_into_the_history_of_the_man_who_made_elvis_presley/



And since it's related, here's an article about the great Little Junior Parker:

Elvis listened closely yet the world barely knows him : Junior Parker!

http://theimmortaljukebox.com/2015/07/07/elvis-listened-closely-yet-the-world-barely-knows-him-junior-parker/


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 12, 2015, 04:55:31 AM
The Center of the Rock Universe
The man who discovered Elvis thought that music would close the racial divide: ‘I knew the physical separation of the races—but I knew the integration of their souls.’


http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-center-of-the-rock-universe-1446840186


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 14, 2015, 03:36:44 AM
Interview and Book Signing: Peter Guralnick

This program takes place in the Museum's Ford Theater and will also be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming. The live stream is powered by NewTek TriCaster.


http://countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/event/interview-and-book-signing-peter-guralnick#.VkcbTSvjw1J


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 15, 2015, 11:01:24 AM
‘Sam Phillips: The Man who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll’ by Peter Guralnick



Along the way Guralnick touches on Phillips’s struggles with mental illness, his astute business savvy, his complicated relationships with friends and family, and the incredible drive and charisma that propelled his genius even if some believed, at heart, he was deeply lonely.

...

By the book’s end, the weight of Guralnick’s mission comes into full view. Phillips had advised him early on, “It ain’t for you to put me in a good light. Just put me in the focus that I’m supposed to be in.” And that’s exactly what Guralnick has done. His subject would no doubt be proud that he got it right.



https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2015/11/14/book-review-sam-phillips-the-man-who-invented-rock-roll-peter-guralnick/Q3nPvz70laD4WtCdBImLiI/story.html












Interview and Book Signing: Peter Guralnick

This program takes place in the Museum's Ford Theater and will also be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming. The live stream is powered by NewTek TriCaster.


http://countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/event/interview-and-book-signing-peter-guralnick#.VkcbTSvjw1J



Here's the stream:

http://countrymusichalloffame.org/ContentPages/live-streaming#.Vkjm5yvjw1J


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 17, 2015, 01:30:25 PM
Oh and by the way, this is the link to the Country Music Hall Of Fame exhibition on Sam Phillips:

http://countrymusichalloffame.org/exhibits/exhibitdetail/flyin-saucers-rock-roll-the-cosmic-genius-of-sam-phillips#.Vkub-yvjw1I


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 18, 2015, 10:27:45 AM
Here's another interview with Guralnick.


What Sam Phillips Heard

http://www.oxfordamerican.org/item/698-what-sam-phillips-heard



And this:

The Story of Mystery Train

http://www.udiscovermusic.com/the-story-of-mystery-train


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 19, 2015, 03:42:34 PM
Meet Man Who Discovered Elvis in Essential New Sam Phillips Book

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/meet-man-who-discovered-elvis-in-essential-new-sam-phillips-book-20151116#ixzz3rz4DraHO





Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 21, 2015, 12:01:04 PM
Conan O'Brien & Peter Guralnick Talk Sam Phillips' Life & Music at Grammy Museum: What We Learned


http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6770246/conan-obrien-peter-guralnick-sam-phillips


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 23, 2015, 12:37:17 PM
(http://cdn2.pitchfork.com/blog/953/dc112321.jpg)
Sam and Johnny Cash at Phillips' studio at 639 Madison Avenue


Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll
By Peter Guralnick, November 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. EST


http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/953-sam-phillips-the-man-who-invented-rock-n-roll/



Peter Guralnick on NPR:

The Man And The Mistakes That 'Invented Rock 'n' Roll'


http://www.npr.org/2015/11/23/457083328/the-man-and-the-mistakes-that-invented-rock-n-roll


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 24, 2015, 08:32:04 AM
Saw this on the "For Elvis CD Collectors Only"-Forum.


Limited edition vinyl set Sam Phillips

Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll is the title of the new book that was released more than a week ago from Peter Guralnick. At the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, there is an exhibition about the life and work of Phillips. And begin December, there is the release of the limited edition vinyl boxset of 'Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll', a 55-track companion to Peter Guralnick's biography of the same name, and a personal, idiosyncratic survey of one of the most important bodies of work in recording history.

The 3LP set features songs hand-selected by Guralnick, who also wrote an exclusive track-by-track essay for the release. Mostly spanning the years 1950-1961, the set shines a light on Phillips' unique approach to recording, his cosmic genius, and revolutionary role in the evolution of blues, country, R&B, gospel and the birth of rock 'n' roll.

Featuring big hits, near misses, and never-even-close tracks by Elvis Presley, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and scores of other singular artists, Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'N' Roll delivers, in his own words, "individualism in the extreme."

Every track on this collection celebrates, whether intentionally or not, the diversity and beauty and rawness, the grandness and intimacy and comic and tragic drama of the human experience.

The 2 CD set is already available.

Published: november 19th 2015 02:19 AM.
Source: Yep Roc Records / Published by: ElvisMatters - Jeroen Vanderschoot .



http://elvismatters.com/index.php?pagina=nieuws&id=14337


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on November 30, 2015, 08:03:04 AM
This one is a video report:


Biography examines life of Sun Records' Sam Phillips


http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/biography-examines-life-of-sun-records-sam-phillips/


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 01, 2015, 07:07:23 AM
Not about the book on Sam, but an article by Gurlanick:


Searching the Desert for the Blues

http://www.oxfordamerican.org/magazine/item/705-searching-the-desert-for-the-blues


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 05, 2015, 04:59:48 AM
From CNN:


Sam Phillips, Elvis and the invention of rock 'n' roll

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/18/entertainment/sam-phillips-sun-records-guralnick-feat/index.html



New York Times:


‘Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ’n’ Roll,’ by Peter Guralnick

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/06/books/review/sam-phillips-the-man-who-invented-rock-n-roll-by-peter-guralnick.html?_r=0


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 05, 2015, 09:30:54 AM
Podcast:

Dad Rock: How Sam Phillips made rock 'n' roll

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/12/04/dad-rock-how-sam-phillips-made-rock-n-roll/76737016/


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 09, 2015, 01:49:42 PM
Here is the archived Q&A from the Country Music Hall Of Fame:


http://livestream.com/accounts/11775488/events/4496230



EDIT:


And here's a TV report.

Sam Phillips Exhibit Shows How Icon Influenced Country Music

http://www.onenewspage.com/video/20151102/3504122/Sam-Phillips-Exhibit-Shows-How-Icon-Influenced-Country.htm


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 16, 2015, 10:47:13 AM
‘Sam Phillips’ review: Peter Guralnick on Elvis’ discoverer



http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/books/sam-phillips-review-peter-guralnick-on-elvis-discoverer-1.11227816



But whether you ultimately agree or disagree that Sam Phillips invented rock and roll, there’s one thing you can’t dispute: Sam Phillips was a singular, endlessly fascinating piece of work.

He was huckster, trickster, dreamer and architect compressed in one roiling, flamboyant package. If he hadn’t existed, it would have been necessary for Mark Twain to invent him, as the Phillips evoked in these pages carries Tom Sawyer’s adventurous cunning and Hank Morgan’s “Connecticut Yankee” ingenuity in his trick bag, along with Huck Finn’s desperate yearning for freedom.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 18, 2015, 09:37:55 AM
For your listening pleasure I searched for some Sam Phillips productions on youtube. Here are some not-so-well-known recordings plus some better known ones.
We start with a pure instrumental single:


Sonny Burgess - Thunderbird / Itchy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMMzKbDiGy0



Edwin Bruce - Sweet woman / Part of my life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz487CwVfBQ



Mack Self - Everyday / Easy to love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2kqRydJ2i4



Billy The Kid Emerson - If lovin' is believin' / No teasin' around

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJy5J6cKBs4



Dickey Lee - Good lovin / Memories never grow old

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpuVwBS02tI



Ernie Chaffin - Laughin' and jokin' / I'm lonesome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnA7GqdRwTU



Carl Perkins - That's right / Forever yours

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKd9-jifLd0



Slim Rhodes - Gonna romp and stomp / Bad girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3MW5f_1N3g



Ray Smith - Right Behind You Baby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMX6QMR7fJo



Billy Lee Riley - Baby Please Don't Go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvZAJNGkTcM



Barbara Pittman - No Matter Who´s To Blame

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LSGHT39jnk



Barbara Pittman - Cold Cold Herat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfDPboTD3IQ



Mary Johnson - Mood Indigo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLb2hDGEe98



Jeanne Newman - Cheater Never Win

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l801x4OzDm4



Barbara Pitman - I Need A Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcGGK9fn11s



Mikki Wilcox - So Many Beautiful Men

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNPxSVdCkvU



Barbara Pittman - Handsome Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFJiYX8FMz0



Big Memphis Marainey - Baby No! No! / Call me anything but call me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHx3K8qOsXw



Carl Perkins - Only you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvP3JS6-Mdk



Malcolm Yelvington - Drinkin' wine spodee-o-dee / Just rolling along

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3C8OhkjOzA



Prisonaires - Softly And Tenderly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdh6BtKmTeQ


James Cotton - Cotton crop blues / Hold me in your arms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6_ugQa6zIM


Elvis Presley - Milkcow blues boogie / You're a heartbreaker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1mYUhm09uI



Billy Red Love - Gee I Wish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGkOFdAnAls



Lost John Hunter & The Blind Bats - Y M and V blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckYNLIq1BjE&list=PL927cH5_BV-lozhD0eM1VH-DR-ZJIecQK



B B King - Mistreated woman / B B boogie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLKTgo535EE&list=PL927cH5_BV-lozhD0eM1VH-DR-ZJIecQK&index=4



Jerry McGill - I wanna make sweet love / Lovestruck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKIa5yeke8E



Frank Frost & The Nighthawks - Crawlback / Jelly Roll King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBJMSciRl6g


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Lowbacca on December 19, 2015, 05:38:29 AM
Thanks, Rocker! Another Guralnick.. Gotta squeeze into the early 2016 reading list somehow..


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 22, 2015, 12:19:53 PM
Peter Guralnick: Profiling the Kings of Rock and Roll

http://nodepression.com/article/peter-guralnick-profiling-kings-rock-and-roll



Review by No Depression


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 24, 2015, 01:58:31 PM
From Guralnick's Facebook page:


A little Christmas Eve reading: an excerpt from SAM PHILLIPS!

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/books/excerpt-from-sam-phillips-by-peter-guralnick-1.11243715


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on December 26, 2015, 11:17:12 AM
The Source: Did This Man Invent Rock And Roll?


http://tpr.org/post/source-did-man-invent-rock-and-roll#stream/0



Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on January 05, 2016, 06:03:19 AM
Audio:


Suede Shoes and Memphis Trains: The Beginning of Sun Records

Truth in advertising is a powerful thing. So when you name your book Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll -- How One Man Discovered Howlin' Wolf, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley, and How His Tiny Label, Sun Records of Memphis, Revolutionized the World -- you've already promised a lot. But it's an appropriately descriptive and sprawling title for the life story of a multi-faceted and occasionally contradictory man. And it's a book and story filled with great rock and roll. Author Peter Guralnick visits Soundcheck and tells host John Schaefer why Sam Phillips' musical DNA is imprinted on the modern world through his many innovative moves in the 1950s and beyond. Click the player above to listen to the interview.

http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/peter-guralnick-sun-records/


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on January 05, 2016, 02:51:22 PM
Well, it's Sam's birthday, so:


Sam Phillips, The Blues, Wolf…and Elvis Too


http://www.udiscovermusic.com/sam-phillips-blues-wolfand-elvis


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on February 02, 2016, 10:26:16 AM
Tomorrow night, Music City Roots will partner with Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Peter Guralnick to host a special event honoring the "Father of Sun," Sam Phillips! More information here:


http://musiccityroots.com/blog/10573/


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on February 03, 2016, 02:44:47 PM
Peter Guralnick on Sam Phillips
The writer interviewed Phillips many times before his death in 2002.


http://americansongwriter.com/2016/01/peter-guralnick-sam-phillips/


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: the captain on February 03, 2016, 03:28:08 PM
Guralnick was on Marc Maron's WTF podcast within the past week or so.

http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_676_-_peter_guralnick


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on February 04, 2016, 07:32:27 AM
And now this:


‘Million Dollar Quartet’ television series to shoot in Memphis

Viacom's Nashville-based CMT network is expected to formally announce Wednesday the filming of an eight-episode television adaptation of "Million Dollar Quartet," the Broadway musical about Memphis' Sun Records. According to sources familiar with the project, the production will be based in Memphis and could spend up to six months shooting in the city.

Filming is expected to begin in early spring, but preproduction has been ongoing for several weeks. An ambitious period piece, the project would be the biggest film or television production in Memphis in many years, and was made possible by the $4 million in state film funds earmarked last year for Memphis-area productions, out of the $16 million included in Gov. Bill Haslam's budget for film funding. This kept the production in Tennessee, although Louisiana also was competing for the series.

As part of the announcement, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is also expected to confirm details of an incentive package for the project. During a luncheon hosted by the Memphis Rotary Club today, the state's economic development commissioner, Randy Boyd, told a group of local business and community leaders to expect a major announcement involving the city tomorrow, but did not disclose specifics.

The shooting could generate significant job opportunities. Officials with Sun Studios — the historic home of Sun Records — confirmed they have met with producers of the "Million Dollar Quartet" show, but that there were no current plans to film scenes at the studio. Instead, sets will be constructed in a Downtown warehouse, which will serve as a soundstage for some interior scenes. Close to 50 locations around town will be needed, as well as vintage cars.

The series will be a scripted drama that depicts the lives of young Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, in and around Memphis in the 1950s, in the time leading up to the historic 1956 meeting of the so-called Million Dollar Quartet at Sun Studios. Such figures as Sun founder Sam Phillips, associate Marion Keisker and various blues singers will be characters. Most of the main actors have yet to be cast.

The "Million Dollar Quartet" series is being executive produced by Leslie Greif and Gil Grant. Greif's credits include reality shows such as "Gene Simmons' Family Jewels" and the miniseries "The Hatfields & McCoys." Grant served as an executive and consulting producer on the hit police dramas "NCIS" and "NCIS: Los Angeles." Sun Records historian Colin Escott, who co-wrote the book for the Broadway version of "Million Dollar Quartet," will serve as a producer as well.

The program's musical director is Chuck Mead, best known for his work with roots-country band BR5-49 and as an arranger for the stage show of "Million Dollar Quartet." The score and recordings for the show are expected to be cut by Mead and musicians in Nashville.

The synopsis for the television series, sent out as part of its casting notice in late 2015, characterizes the narrative as "the story of nothing less than the creation of rock 'n' roll. We see the new music unfold, changing society, paving the way for racial integration. Set in Memphis, Tennessee, it's the story of Sam Phillips, a struggling audio engineer who has a dream of starting his own record label."

The series will document Sun Records' transition from a black, blues-based label to becoming a force in rock and roll with the arrival of Elvis Presley. "Phillips signed him, promoted him in the face of ridicule and hostility, but was soon forced to sell his contract to RCA to keep afloat," according to the synopsis. "He used the proceeds to promote Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins' 'Blue Suede Shoes.' Then he discovered Jerry Lee Lewis. The music that Phillips nurtured is the defining sound of modern times, still the foundation of contemporary popular music."

Though not involved formally with the project, the family of the late Sam Phillips is aware of the production. Jerry Phillips, one of Sam's two sons, confirmed that he and his brother Knox had been in contact with producers and requested to see a treatment for the proposed TV adaptation.

Sam Phillips' legacy has enjoyed a renaissance over the past year. He's currently the subject of a major exhibit chronicling his life at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, and a critically hailed biography by author Peter Guralnick. The family-owned Madison Avenue studio bearing his name, the Sam Phillips Recording Service, has also been undergoing major renovations and improvements during recent months.

The first local casting call for the series will be Saturday, February 13 at Humes Prepatory Academy Middle School, at 659 N. Manassas St. The open call begins at 9 a.m., with the line starting at 7 a.m. You can get more info here.



http://www.commercialappeal.com/entertainment/music/million-dollar-quartet-television-series-to-shoot-in-memphis-2acf422e-319c-0484-e053-0100007f1011-367428131.html


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on February 08, 2016, 12:39:41 PM
Producer says ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ could spend $17 million, extend past initial 8 episodes

http://www.commercialappeal.com/entertainment/movies/features/producer-says-million-dollar-quartet-could-spend-17-million-locally-extend-past-initial-8-episod-2b0-367872211.html


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on February 28, 2016, 01:00:23 AM
Casting Call For Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash And More Begins For CMT's 'Million Dollar Quartet'

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brianhernandez1/2016/02/03/cmt-million-dollar-quartet-casting-call-auditions-elvis-presley-johnny-cash/#736801ff22a5


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Jay on February 28, 2016, 01:16:25 AM
In my opinion, Michael St. Gerard is the best Elvis. Although he's been doing it for over twenty years. Would he be to old by now?


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on April 09, 2016, 02:49:19 PM
The Sam Phillips Interview (May 2000)


http://www.udiscovermusic.com/the-sam-phillips-interview-may-2000


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Lonely Summer on April 09, 2016, 11:56:11 PM
The Sam Phillips Interview (May 2000)


http://www.udiscovermusic.com/the-sam-phillips-interview-may-2000
BTW, Rocker, it's nice to see you have a passion for this older music. I don't even know a lot of the newer bands people post about on this board. I guess I've always been a bit of a music historian, even as a teenager, I was checking out records from the 50's and 60's. Most of my friends are not into it, but to me, it feels like timeless music.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on April 10, 2016, 11:34:18 AM
The Sam Phillips Interview (May 2000)


http://www.udiscovermusic.com/the-sam-phillips-interview-may-2000
BTW, Rocker, it's nice to see you have a passion for this older music. I don't even know a lot of the newer bands people post about on this board. I guess I've always been a bit of a music historian, even as a teenager, I was checking out records from the 50's and 60's. Most of my friends are not into it, but to me, it feels like timeless music.


I can feel with you. I always get a kick out of people getting or being as much in love with this music as I am.
I am fascinated by it (and that reaches to the beginning of blues, gospel, spiritual etc) from a historic standpoint. But much more I just love the music. I'm almost exclusively listening to "old" music. Not from a purist point of view but just because it seems to me that this is the way it should be done. There's no reason why it couldn't be done today as well. Well, this all would of course be a discussion we could have for hours and what I've posted is certainly very superficial.
BTW I think Sam Phillips is absolutely a hero. He wasn't the only one for sure. But that feeling for sound and music is just incredible.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Lonely Summer on April 10, 2016, 02:33:26 PM
The Sam Phillips Interview (May 2000)


http://www.udiscovermusic.com/the-sam-phillips-interview-may-2000
BTW, Rocker, it's nice to see you have a passion for this older music. I don't even know a lot of the newer bands people post about on this board. I guess I've always been a bit of a music historian, even as a teenager, I was checking out records from the 50's and 60's. Most of my friends are not into it, but to me, it feels like timeless music.


I can feel with you. I always get a kick out of people getting or being as much in love with this music as I am.
I am fascinated by it (and that reaches to the beginning of blues, gospel, spiritual etc) from a historic standpoint. But much more I just love the music. I'm almost exclusively listening to "old" music. Not from a purist point of view but just because it seems to me that this is the way it should be done. There's no reason why it couldn't be done today as well. Well, this all would of course be a discussion we could have for hours and what I've posted is certainly very superficial.
BTW I think Sam Phillips is absolutely a hero. He wasn't the only one for sure. But that feeling for sound and music is just incredible.
Yes, he's a hero to me. Amazing that so much incredible music came out of that little studio. And he had the ability to see something special in some people that may not have seemed all that special to the average person in the beginning. Worked with them, developing their style...can you imagine any record label doing that today? Guys like Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash and Elvis wouldn't get 5 minutes with any of the big labels today. Back then, it was difficult, but possible, for a small label to make an impact, a HUGE impact.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - new biography by Peter Guralnick
Post by: Rocker on July 08, 2016, 12:39:20 PM
‘Million Dollar Quartet’ wraps production: ‘It can only be shot in Memphis’


http://www.commercialappeal.com/entertainment/movies/million-dollar-quartet-wraps-production-it-can-only-be-shot-in-memphis-36fa3fa5-4cc9-5ae3-e053-01000-385959021.html


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: Rocker on July 11, 2016, 12:50:36 PM
From Jerry Lee's Facebook page:


(http://fs5.directupload.net/images/160711/jdfmum93.jpg) (http://www.directupload.net)

Christian Lees gets to meet the man he is portraying in the new TV production of the “Million Dollar Quartet” that just finished filming its first season in Memphis.
Jerry Lee invites the young Christian to his Mississippi home for a conversation about the good-old-days and the upcoming MDQ TV show.



EDIT:

Updated the topic title


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: Jay on July 12, 2016, 02:51:50 AM
This might be slightly off topic, but when I went to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Museum in 1998, one of the displays we saw was an actual section of the original Sun studio.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: Rocker on July 12, 2016, 10:37:48 AM
This might be slightly off topic, but when I went to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Museum in 1998, one of the displays we saw was an actual section of the original Sun studio.


It's possible. I believe the original RCA recording equipement was given to the museum by Sam.




(http://fs5.directupload.net/images/160712/gdgmebxa.jpg) (http://www.directupload.net)

Christian Lees dressed as the young Jerry Lee Lewis in the new TV production of the “Million Dollar Quartet” filming in and around Memphis.
The first season of the MDQ show is scheduled to air on the CMT Network in late 2016 or early in 2017.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: Jay on July 12, 2016, 02:00:39 PM
I can't help but to look at that picture and remember the short lived "Elvis: The Early Years" tv series.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: Rocker on July 14, 2016, 12:36:35 PM
I can't help but to look at that picture and remember the short lived "Elvis: The Early Years" tv series.


I think I saw a couple of minutes on youtube once. Don't remember if it was any good. But these kind of series look all the same. I have to say though that "Jerry Lee" does indeed look authentic for a pre-fame Killer. Not like that ridiculous way he was portrayed for example in "Walk the line".



Here is the official website for the series:

http://mdqseries.com/


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: Rocker on July 16, 2016, 08:37:31 AM
Here's a Dick Clark - documentary on the Class Of '55 album, recorded at Sun studio and American Sound Studio:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVkQyjTJAw8


Coming Home: A Rockin' Reunion (1989)

Dick Clark visits the home of Sun Records in Memphis. Performances by Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Roy Orbison, including a reunion performance. Rick Nelson is also on hand lending some musical talent to the Hall of Fame legends. August 10, 1989. This footage was actually shot a few years earlier before the death of Rick Nelson.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: Rocker on August 31, 2016, 10:31:09 AM
How Sam Phillips Invented the Sound of Rock and Roll
​The unusual engineering behind a legendary sound

http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/music/a22237/sam-phillips-sun-studio/?src=social-email


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: SurfRapGrungeFiend on September 12, 2016, 11:53:53 AM
Great posts everyone, I didnt see the album at the Select-O-Hits store site ??? Dont know how i missed this release well now i know what to my gandfather for christmas..
  Even though we got the Rock hall here in cleveland, i believe its true home belongs in memphis man the music history in that city.. Damn


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series
Post by: Rocker on October 15, 2016, 10:51:15 AM
I hope this wasn't posted before

The Sam Phillips Interview (May 2000)

http://www.udiscovermusic.com/the-sam-phillips-interview-may-2000

I was lucky enough to visit Sam Phillips at his home in Memphis while making a TV documentary in 2000. Sam was a gracious host, full of old-school Southjern charm, and eager to talk about the blues and Elvis. A year or so later I had dinner with him and this was akin to going to church. Sam spent the whole meal preaching about music, southern life and life in general.

While at his home I taped what he had to say, and this is the result. First of all I saked Sam to tell me how he got started in the music business and it was quite an answer! These really were the only questions I asked, sam (sic!) just spilled the beans about it all.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series/MOVIE!!
Post by: Rocker on October 22, 2016, 02:01:21 AM
Holy sh!t!!


Exciting:

Leonardo DiCaprio To Play Music Pioneer Sam Phillips; Launched Elvis, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis

http://deadline.com/2016/10/leonardo-dicaprio-sam-phillips-sun-studio-movie-1201840489/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on October 22, 2016, 05:26:55 AM
Leonardo DiCaprio to Play Elvis Producer Sam Phillips in Upcoming Biopic

Mick Jagger on board to produce film about Sun Records honcho and rock pioneer

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/leonardo-dicaprio-to-play-elvis-producer-sam-phillips-w446271


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on October 24, 2016, 10:31:43 AM
Leonardo DiCaprio to Play 1950s Music Pioneer Sam Phillips in New Film

http://variety.com/2016/film/news/leonardo-dicaprio-cast-sam-phillips-paramount-1201896820/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on December 08, 2016, 01:40:32 PM
From facebook:


Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll is available in a digitally enhanced edition for all e-book platforms. This version contains special video content-- with appearances by Roland Janes, Sam Phillips, Jack Clement, Jerry Phillips along audio excerpts from the hundreds of interviews Peter did for the book.
Available via the iBook store: http://tinyurl.com/enhancedsam
Amazon: http://a.co/7IfoMRo
Barnes & Nobles: http://bit.ly/2fKow98


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on December 11, 2016, 02:11:22 AM
This link to a great Sam Phillips interview was posted on the FECC forum. Interesting read!


Sam Phillips: The Rolling Stone Interview

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-rolling-stone-interview-sam-phillips-19860213


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on December 19, 2016, 10:48:08 AM
‘Sun Records’ Teaser: First Look At CMT’s Young Elvis Series


http://deadline.com/2016/12/sun-records-teaser-first-look-young-elvis-cmt-million-dollar-quartet-1201873353/ (http://deadline.com/2016/12/sun-records-teaser-first-look-young-elvis-cmt-million-dollar-quartet-1201873353/)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkM3aDIdmlQ


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on December 28, 2016, 05:57:05 AM
This has only indirectly to do with Sam Phillips but I thought I'd post it anyway:


ORIGINAL ROCK R&B ARTIST NEEDS HELP

Billy "The Kid" Emerson is a legendary rhythm and blues musician and a founding father of rock and roll.

https://www.gofundme.com/billythekidemerson


Move, Baby Move:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCllLFug1kU


Whe it rains it pours:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4RL_nXa0D8


Red hot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK1b37nFNz4


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on January 18, 2017, 02:24:17 PM
Here's an extended trailer for the new Sun Records series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mru1IvrAutY


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on January 27, 2017, 08:23:40 AM
"Sun Records on CMT | The Story"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLMacbMQZ38


Our Sun Records cast and crew tell the story of our new scripted series. Premieres Thursday, February 23 at 10/9c on CMT.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips - thread (new Movie!!)
Post by: Rocker on January 29, 2017, 12:29:11 PM
CMT's 'Sun Records' - New 'Filming in Memphis' Video Released

http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/television/2017/01/27/cmts-sun-records---new-filming-memphis-video-released/97108328/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 09, 2017, 11:00:36 AM
Two more teasers:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeDO_ZKKQO0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKeNnGPdBJo


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 10, 2017, 12:00:41 PM
Talking Elvis Presley With Sun Records’ Drake Milligan

http://www.cmt.com/news/1776622/talking-elvis-presley-with-sun-records-drake-milligan/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 16, 2017, 11:43:35 AM
‘Sun Records’ Preview: Chad Michael Murray on Playing ‘Big Personality’ Sam Phillips

https://www.yahoo.com/tv/sun-records-trailer-exclusive-chad-michael-murray-interview-153019068.html


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 17, 2017, 08:25:26 AM
Another trailer. You get more music to listen to. So, they did new recordings for this project. Something I am always opposed to. Still, I will give my impression only after I've heard enough of it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5J3DMTR-Bo


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 18, 2017, 01:46:53 AM
Access Hollywood:


'Sun Records': Chad Michael Murray Takes Part In The Birth Of Rock 'N' Roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNXVlqDdAPc



Sun Records on CMT | All About the Style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izFysaV5X20



Elvis and Col. Tom Parker alive! The king and his keeper return in CMT's 'Sun Records'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3MJ0r2NTvw


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 19, 2017, 01:14:25 AM
'Sun Records' Stars Perform 'Down By The Riverside'


The stars of CMT's new series "Sun Records" -- Chad Michael Murray (Sam Phillips), Drake Milligan (Elvis Presley), Kevin Fonteyne (Johnny Cash) and Christian Lees (Jerry Lee Lewis) -- join Access Hollywood Live's Kit Hoover and guest co-host Nina Parker to perform "Down by the Riverside."

https://www.accesshollywood.com/videos/sun-records-stars-perform-down-by-the-riverside/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 21, 2017, 10:43:07 AM
The troubled genius who catapulted Elvis to stardom

http://nypost.com/2017/02/16/the-troubled-genius-who-catapulted-elvis-to-stardom/



Elvis and Col. Tom Parker alive! The king and his keeper return in CMT's 'Sun Records'

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/elvis-tom-parker-alive-sort-article-1.2975633


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 23, 2017, 02:53:45 AM
Sun Records: Meet the Young Johnny Cash, aka Kevin Fonteyne

http://www.cmt.com/news/1777301/sun-records-meet-the-young-johnny-cash-aka-kevin-fonteyne/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 23, 2017, 04:17:55 AM
Billy Gardell Knows More Than A Little About Elvis


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOpeWVLOMBk


...unfortunately not too much about the guy he is playing...


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 23, 2017, 08:09:21 AM
‘Sun Records’ review: Bold and ambitious, yet messy

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/sun-records-review-bold-and-ambitious-yet-messy-1.13156312


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: rab2591 on February 23, 2017, 09:31:20 AM
So I've recently been perusing (and loving) a Sun Records playlist on Apple music, and I kinda wanted to get any recommendations for albums recorded there...like what albums (preferably not compilation albums) you all would recommend I start off with then branch out.

I've never been the biggest Elvis fan but I heard an amazing song last night on that playlist and I'm curious to know what people here would recommend. Thanks in advance and sorry if this was the wrong thread to place it in!


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 23, 2017, 11:14:00 AM
So I've recently been perusing (and loving) a Sun Records playlist on Apple music, and I kinda wanted to get any recommendations for albums recorded there...like what albums (preferably not compilation albums) you all would recommend I start off with then branch out.

I've never been the biggest Elvis fan but I heard an amazing song last night on that playlist and I'm curious to know what people here would recommend. Thanks in advance and sorry if this was the wrong thread to place it in!


Well, albums wern't really what the focus was on. It was the singles. Some artists never got an album release on Sun. And most albums were nothing more than some hit singles and a couple of non-single material.
BUT of course that doesn't mean that these albums are useless, as they contain some of the imo greatest music put to tape. Here are some that just come to mind without thinking too long and not counting Sun Records retorspectives):



Carl Perkins - Dance album of Carl Perkins (this is one of the very first things to get, I would say)

Johnny Cash - With His Hot and Blue Guitar
-> no one had as many albums on Sun as Johnny Cash iirc. That is, because Sam had enough material to release long after Johnny had left Sun (last Sun album was released in '64 according to Wikipedia) and wouldn't miss the chance to (no pun) cash in on the big success

Jerry Lee Lewis - Jerry Lee Lewis (aka High School Confidential)


Quite rare but one hell of an album was cut by Sam in the 60s. If you got a chance, try to listen to this (youtube helps) - it wasn't released on Sun, though I believe, but on one of Sam's other labels Phillips International:

Frank Frost - Hey, Boss man



After Shelby Singleton bought the catalog from Sam he released albums with "new" material from the archives or of already know stuff.
But really, it's not the albums but the singles. So it's hard not to have to get a compilation. Unfortunately my experience is that you find often some recordings on those compilations that never were released originally (on Sun or another label) but went to the archives and in some cases for very good reasons imo.

BTW when it comes to Elvis' Sun recordings, try to get "Elvis at Sun". It has all the masters on it (no outtakes except for one or two unfinished songs) including the two songs he recorded before "That's alright" (although these are not the songs you will listen to a lot of times) and the remastered sound is unbelievable; thousands of times better than everything we had before.
Oh, which Elvis song was it on the playlist?



Premier of 'Sun Records' airs tonight

http://www.timesdaily.com/news/local/premier-of-sun-records-airs-tonight/article_e2c4e6f5-e346-54ef-9411-ed5c513fc015.html


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: SMiLE Brian on February 23, 2017, 11:36:20 AM
Sam Phillips' Sun records rules, not so much with Shelby making Orion release fake Elvis records.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: rab2591 on February 23, 2017, 12:26:21 PM
Rocker, thanks so much for that post!

The song I heard was 'Good Rockin Tonight', also 'Blue Moon of Kentucky' had some really cool percussion on it.

I've got some good listening to do the rest of today. I actually bought that Cash album With His Hot And Blue Guitar years ago and love it. So I guess I already have foot in the door to this music.

Elvis at Sun is on Apple Music and I'm listening to 'Harbor Lights' right now. Great stuff.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 23, 2017, 12:27:44 PM
Sam Phillips' Sun records rules, not so much with Shelby making Orion release fake Elvis records.


Well, the Orion thing was really bad imo. Although whoever thinks that this was Elvis probably doesn't deserve better  :lol
But the original, undubbed versions of Jerry Lee are great!

Another one you should check out (and who is heard on the two not-Orion tracks) is Charlie Rich. His recordings for Sun/Phillips International are just fabulous. They are among my favorite Sun related recordings.


But in the end, Sam and his staff cut so much great music. You just can't beat something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMWQ53SB3po




Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 23, 2017, 12:30:29 PM
Rocker, thanks so much for that post!

The song I heard was 'Good Rockin Tonight', also 'Blue Moon of Kentucky' had some really cool percussion on it.

I've got some good listening to do the rest of today. I actually bought that Cash album With His Hot And Blue Guitar years ago and love it. So I guess I already have foot in the door to this music.

Elvis at Sun is on Apple Music and I'm listening to 'Harbor Lights' right now. Great stuff.



"Good rockin' tonight", yeah that'S one of my favorites.
But "Harbour lights"? Well, to each his own...  ;) Not necessarily something I listen to many times.

Try to get the Perkins album for a next step  :)


EDIT:

Sun Records: Margaret Anne Florence on Playing the Other Woman

http://www.cmt.com/news/1777465/sun-records-margaret-anne-florence-on-playing-the-other-woman/




Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: SMiLE Brian on February 23, 2017, 12:50:56 PM
CHICAGO BREAKDOWN rules! 8)


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 24, 2017, 09:54:27 AM
I totally forgot about this. Here's a youtube channel dedicated to Sam's recordings:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPXNgOyy_tc5_BVAGbNfrEA


It's part of this fan created website:

http://www.706unionavenue.nl/



Other recommendations for Sun material are the Bear Family releases, especially the boxsets. I don't own any of them but you can listen to some of it online etc. As seems to be the case with nearly everything Bear Family releases, they are top-notch.

https://www.bear-family.com/


In fact they just released two new compilations with Sun material: Guitars at Sun and Drums at Sun


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 26, 2017, 09:37:06 AM
‘Sun Records’ Off To Strong Ratings Start On CMT

http://deadline.com/2017/02/sun-records-premiere-ratings-cmt-1201976190/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on March 06, 2017, 11:54:35 AM
Well, as of yet, the series is not what I had hoped it would be. It's ok for some entertainment if you have nothing else to do. Especially the way some characters (in fact most of them) are portrayed is disappointing. And it seems like none of the actors gets their character. There is no connection between actor and character. Only superficial TV acting (in not such a good sense). Let's wait and see what it will evolve to.


You can watch the two first episodes here:

http://www.cmt.com/shows/sun-records/episode-guide


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on March 17, 2017, 09:57:37 AM
I haven't watched the latest episode yet, but as of yet I'm not too fond of this series. It just doesn't work. The actors mostly seem like a they don't know a thing about their characters. And I'm thankful for every moment "Elvis" isn't in a scene. That one - more than any other - is an embarrassment imo, followed by "Johnny Cash".
Has anyone else watched this? What are your thoughts?

rab2591, did you find something interesting?





On another note, the legendary James Cotton passed away. He also started out with Sam and Sun Records:


JAMES COTTON - COTTON CROP BLUES - HOLD ME IN YOUR ARMS - SUN 206

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyJj-dt-a4k





EDIT:

And this one is also new to me:


Jerry Lee Lewis - Receives 2017 Ameripolitan Master Award


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysIUzhF6LYU


The Killer looking fine and in good spirits


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on April 19, 2017, 07:41:36 AM
Muscle Shoals, RCA, Sun: The Revival of 3 Legendary Studios

https://reverb.com/news/muscle-shoals-rca-sun-the-revival-of-3-legendary-studios


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on June 10, 2017, 05:17:25 AM
Red Hot! A homegrown tribute to Sun Records

... Now, recorded jointly at Phillips and Sun, we have another tribute album about to drop nationally, Red Hot: A Memphis Celebration of Sun Records, with all sales revenue benefiting the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

https://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/red-hot/Content?oid=6798306


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on April 12, 2018, 02:02:56 AM
So, I have now finished Guralnick's book. If you haven't already: get it. It's a must-read and although it is a thick book, I was through with it fairly quickly because it was so interesting to read.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Buckethead on April 12, 2018, 06:11:23 AM
Another good read is A Whole Lotta Shakin', JW Brown's memoir. (He is Jerry Lee Lewis' bass man from the beginning, yet another of Jerry's cousins and the father of Jerry's 13-year-old child bride). 


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on April 12, 2018, 06:52:10 AM
Another good read is A Whole Lotta Shakin', JW Brown's memoir. (He is Jerry Lee Lewis' bass man from the beginning, yet another of Jerry's cousins and the father of Jerry's 13-year-old child bride). 


I didn't knew he wrote a book. How is it? I just took a look at amazon. Looks like his son Rusty (Myra's brother) helped him. BTW Rusty's  ex-wife is now married to Jerry Lee.


Title: Re: Sam Phillips - bio by Guralnick & MDQ TV series/MOVIE!!
Post by: Rocker on November 12, 2018, 02:25:51 PM
Holy sh!t!!


Exciting:

Leonardo DiCaprio To Play Music Pioneer Sam Phillips; Launched Elvis, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis

http://deadline.com/2016/10/leonardo-dicaprio-sam-phillips-sun-studio-movie-1201840489/





Here's why Mick Jagger met Jerry Lee Lewis in Memphis

https://eu.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/09/13/mick-jagger-and-jerry-lee-lewis-sun-studios-were-memphis/1291197002/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on November 14, 2018, 06:01:15 AM
(http://drakeinthemorning.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Jagger-and-erry-Lee.jpg)

(https://ds1.static.rtbf.be/article/image/1248xAuto/d/4/d/fd4c8e59b8a7add298869bd9fef2417c-1536920140.jpg)

(https://ds1.static.rtbf.be/article/image/1248xAuto/8/d/d/fd4c8e59b8a7add298869bd9fef2417c-1536920202.jpg)


You can find more pictures online, that I couldn't post here.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on December 17, 2019, 12:48:10 AM
Sam's nephew Jud Phillips has died:


Memphis music veteran Jud Phillips dead at 71; his wide-ranging career spanned six decades

https://eu.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/12/16/jud-phillips-dies-memphis-music-phillips-music-sun-records/2666096001/?fbclid=IwAR3y2_WlOFZlPcRHIhXhVsoLUVuUHs0yVxsRRjwoYv4WS2oV0ozNDX2GdZY


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: JK on December 17, 2019, 05:09:30 AM
Sam's nephew Jud Phillips has died:


Memphis music veteran Jud Phillips dead at 71; his wide-ranging career spanned six decades

https://eu.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/12/16/jud-phillips-dies-memphis-music-phillips-music-sun-records/2666096001/?fbclid=IwAR3y2_WlOFZlPcRHIhXhVsoLUVuUHs0yVxsRRjwoYv4WS2oV0ozNDX2GdZY

Sad news. Seventy-one is no age to die. But what a full musical life he led!


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on April 16, 2020, 09:35:24 AM
Knox Phillips, tireless champion of Memphis music, dead at 74

https://eu.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2020/04/15/knox-phillips-dies-obituary-sam-phillips-memphis-music/5142374002/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: JK on April 17, 2020, 02:24:49 AM
Knox Phillips, tireless champion of Memphis music, dead at 74

https://eu.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2020/04/15/knox-phillips-dies-obituary-sam-phillips-memphis-music/5142374002/

I never knew any of that. Thanks for sharing, Rocker. Love this picture of him with Elvis:

(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/04/16/PMCA/93969f4d-ccfc-4f7c-96a0-60145c8cc8af-Knox_and_Elvis_.JPG?width=1080&quality=50)

Knox was clearly a major force in Memphis music. So sad he and his friend John Prine left us so soon.

R.I.P. both.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Lonely Summer on April 22, 2020, 06:28:44 PM
There was a time I thought  71 was OLD!  :o

Now, not so much.

I was just watching a clip from a PBS special, early 2000's, about Sam and Sun - the scene where Ike Turner and Sam are chatting.

Ike may have been a terrible human being - I don't claim to know; very, very talented musician, though.

RIP Knox. You and your father have a great band up there with you.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on August 29, 2020, 02:47:01 AM
There's a new release for RSD of some Blues on Sun Records.


This limited edition compilation LP was curated from the classic Sun Record Company catalog by participating Record Store Day stores, and marks the seventh installment of the 'Sun Records Curated by Record Store Day' series. Volume 7, Sunrise on the Blues, highlights some of the incredible blues artists in the Sun Records archive. While the iconic label is best known for launching the careers of superstars like Elvis and Johnny Cash, Sam Phillips' Sun Records initially started as a rhythm and blues label. The track list for this compilation was carefully curated by the hardworking people in record stores themselves. This Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release is limited to 4,000 copies worldwide.

SIDE A
1. HOWLIN' WOLF “Everybody in the Mood” 2. LITTLE JUNIOR'S BLUE FLAMES “Mystery Train”3. ROSCO GORDON “Let's Get High” 4. JOHNNY ADAMS “I Won't Cry” 5. EARL HOOKER “Going On Down The Line” 6. LOST JOHN HUNTER & HIS BLIND BATS “Cool Down Mama” 7. BIG WALTER HORTON “Grandma Told Grandpa”

SIDE B
1. SLEEPY JOHN ESTES “Policy Man Blues”2. LITTLE MILTON “If Crying Would Help Me” 3. JAMES COTTON “Cotton Crop Blues” 4. DOCTOR ROSS “Cat Squirrel” 5. THE PRISONAIRES “That Chick's Too Young To Fry” 6. PAT HARE “I'm Gonna Murder My Baby” 7. JOE HILL LOUIS “We All Got To Go Some Time”



https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/12026


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on December 14, 2020, 10:06:16 AM
5 Star Stories Studio Sessions: A rare look inside Sam Phillips Recording Studio


https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/12/08/star-stories-studio-sessions-rare-look-inside-sam-phillips-recording-studio/?fbclid=IwAR2GT92oIFpcxWWRJAF54IMfGuzQLuLd83-xwYojo3ai6paaecKLuGX7Ijg


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on December 17, 2020, 02:34:34 AM
Just saw this:


Rockabilly great, 'Mona Lisa' hitmaker Carl Mann dead at 78



Carl Mann was the “Last Son of Sun,” one of the final artists that Sam Phillips introduced to the world. A child prodigy from West Tennessee, Mann arrived in Phillips’ orbit at the end of the Sun Records founder’s golden run in the 1950s. The teenaged Mann would hit the charts with his galloping rockabilly redux of "Mona Lisa" in 1959. Mann died Wednesday at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee. He was 78.

A lanky dark-haired figure with a mellifluous voice, Mann sometimes mused that he was born a little too late to have been part of Phillips’ all-star roster of acts earlier in the era, which included Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

“If I'd have been a little older, I probably would've been more in the heyday of it," Mann recalled in a 2011 interview with The Commercial Appeal. "I came right on the tail end of the Sun era. And everybody, most of the guys — Elvis, Cash — had left except for Charlie Rich."

But Mann would ultimately achieve his own global renown, becoming an icon of the 1970s rockabilly revival in Europe and be enshrined in the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Born near Huntingdon, Tennessee, Mann was just a kid — who’d grown up on church music and the Grand Ole Opry — when he began to make his name in nearby Jackson.

"When I was 11 years old, I started playing talent shows down there. I hung around guys who were a little bit older than I was. I had my first band I was about 12, but I couldn't drive," said Mann. "I ended up making my first recording on the Jaxson label when I was 14."

Cut in 1957, Mann's Jaxson debut was called "Gonna Rock And Roll Tonight,” which found the boy rocker taking his cues from The King. " I was playing country music mostly, and maybe some blues-sounding songs," recalled Mann. "But when Elvis came out, I started doing a lot of his stuff, and then I eventually developed my own style."

The talents that emerged from the Memphis and the Mid-South during that era — among them Elvis and Carl Perkins — drew their music from similar sources. Mann would often note that there was literally a confluence of music in the air at the time.

"I think we all had access to a lot of different types of things: blues, country, gospel and even jazz,” Mann observed. "See, we could get the jazz out of a couple radio stations out of New Orleans. We'd get blues from the stations out of Memphis, and then country from Nashville. Also, back then, some of the old camp-meeting gospel songs you'd hear were rocked up. It seemed to all work together."

Mann's career took a fateful turn when he met and began playing with Carl Perkins' drummer, and future Johnny Cash trapsman, W.S. "Fluke" Holland (Holland died in September at the age of 85).

"He knew Sam [Phillips], so he got me an audition at Sun,” recalled Mann, who arrived at the studio in late 1958. “We went there, put down two songs. Sam wasn't there; Jack Clement was the A&R man, and he said he would play it for Sam.”

Mann’s standout song was a revved-up take on the Nat King Cole ballad "Mona Lisa." "That would be a pop-a-billy song, I guess," Mann would offer. "That’s where you take a pop song and rock it up, and turn it into a rockabilly number."

Mann was able to audience test the tune even before its release.  “We broke it out at a gig one night in at a roadhouse across the from Kentucky state line," he remembered. “We started doing it slow, and the kids wanted something fast to dance to. We had about eight requests to do it again. I figured that might be the one we was looking for."

Phillips was initially unconvinced of the tune’s hit potential but was moved to release the song after Mann’s fellow Southern rocker, Conway Twitty, put out his own cover and it began to gain traction at radio.

Mann’s recording would reach No. 25 on the Billboard pop charts and might’ve gone higher, had it not had to compete with Twitty’s version, which topped out at No. 29. Still, Mann's “Mona Lisa,” released on Sam Phillips' new Phillips imprint, ultimately became a million-seller.

Mann would follow-up with another peppy cover of a Nat King Cole song, "Pretend," which also charted. Though Mann went on to release half a dozen other singles and an LP for Phillips, he would never quite find the Top 40 again.

He went on to tour with Carl Perkins’ band in the early '60s, before being drafted into the Army in 1964. "By the time I got back out of the service, the music had changed," says Mann, who returned to civilian life in 1967. "The Beatles were hot, and The Monkees and bands like that."


After his discharge, Mann cut one single for the Monument label, and then began to recede from the music industry. He soon got married and went to work in his family's lumber business in Huntingdon.

"Every once in a while, I'd break loose and do something in music," recalled Mann, who made some recordings for ABC/Dot in the mid-'70s, with a 1976 version of the Platters’ “Twilight Time” becoming a small hit on the country charts.

It wasn't until a rockabilly revival took hold in Europe in the late '70s that Mann returned to music more seriously. "It really did surprise me when I first started going to Europe," said Mann of the wildly enthusiastic audiences he encountered. "It was almost like going back in time to go there and do shows, because they would come dressed in '50s attire. It really felt good. Felt like I was 16 again. Of course, every time I play, I feel like I'm 16 again."

Mann would record and perform for the next few decades — remaining a favorite on the roots and rockabilly festival circuit — in between periodic retirements from the stage. After dealing with some health problems in the late-'00s, he returned to performing in 2011. That year a book about Mann’s life, “The Last Son of Sun,” was published and he put out a self-titled album in 2012.

Plans for a memorial service are pending.




https://eu.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/12/16/carl-mann-obit-sun-records-era-sam-phillips-memphis-music/3935073001/




Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on December 17, 2020, 11:50:47 AM
Puremix Interview Series | Sam Phillips Recording Studio Story | Jerry Phillips


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKaHBolYbWg





Producer Shelby Singleton - The Story of Buying Sun Records from Sam Phillips


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vWDEcgftBc


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on December 30, 2020, 11:28:01 AM
5 Star Stories Studio Sessions: A rare look inside Sam Phillips Recording Studio


https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/12/08/star-stories-studio-sessions-rare-look-inside-sam-phillips-recording-studio/?fbclid=IwAR2GT92oIFpcxWWRJAF54IMfGuzQLuLd83-xwYojo3ai6paaecKLuGX7Ijg



Here's the other part:


5 Star Stories Studio Sessions: Memphis’ Sun Studio -- the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll

https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/12/22/star-stories-studio-sessions-memphis-sun-studio-birthplace-rock-n-roll/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on January 28, 2021, 12:21:03 PM
Posted on Facebook:



Sun Records is thrilled to announce our deal with @PrimaryWave!

“We are extremely pleased to pass the Sun Records baton to Primary Wave and are confident that they will continue to reach new heights for the crown jewel of the music business created by Sam Phillips, which my brother, Shelby, and I have kept alive and relevant for the past 50 years” -John A. Singleton, President of Sun Entertainment Corporation.




Sun Records, Storied Early Rock Label, Sells Its High-Wattage Catalog
The independent company Primary Wave Music acquired recordings by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and other pioneers — but not the music of one of Sun’s biggest stars, Elvis Presley.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/arts/music/sun-records-sells-catalog-primary-wave.html?fbclid=IwAR12qCsr6UunDgYpeVwfnkNZzpayTN4hHmGUAkFpU04J-YjSmbRQDZyA9wY


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 24, 2021, 12:37:43 PM
Featuring some former Sun Records soldiers:


Jerry Lee Lewis - News 3 (5-part U.S. news profile)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXKr7AiTGvI


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 18, 2022, 11:04:59 AM
Sun Records - On The Record with Jerry Phillips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbqbWcT0pZ0


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on March 13, 2022, 01:48:54 PM
'The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: 70 Years of Sun Records' New Book:
More info on this new books from authors Peter Guralnick and Colin Escott, 'The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: 70 Years of Sun Records'
With a foreword by Jerry Lee Lewis!  - Out October 18, 2022.

A fascinating look at the history of Sun Records, the label that started Rock n’ Roll, told through 70 of its iconic recordings.
In Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1950s, there was hard-edged blues playing on Beale Street, and hillbilly boogie on the outskirts of town. But at Sam Phillips’ Sun Records studio on Union Avenue, there was something different going on – a whole lotta shakin’, rockin’, and rollin’.
This is where rock ’n’ roll was born.

Sun Records: the company that launched Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and Carl Perkins.    
The label that brought the world, “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Breathless,” “I Walk the Line,” “Mystery Train,” “Good Rockin’ Tonight.”
The Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll: 70 Years of Sun Records is the official history of this legendary label, and looks at its story in a unique way: through the lens of 70 of its most iconic recordings. From the early days with primal blues artists like Howlin’ Wolf and B.B. King to long nights in the studio with Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, you will see how the label was shaped and how it redefined American music. Accompanying the recordings is the label’s origin story and a look at the mission of the label today, as well as “Sun Spot” sidebars - a fascinating dive into subjects such as how the iconic logo was created, the legendary Million Dollar Quartet sessions, and how the song “Harper Valley, PTA” funded the purchase of the label.


(http://www.elvisinfonet.com/image-files/Book-The-Birth-Of-RocknRoll-70-years-of-Sun-c.jpg)


The foreword by Jerry Lee Lewis includes...

... When I first heard about Sam Phillips and SUN Records I knew if I could play for Sam, he could make me a star; he was the man I needed to see to really get things going. He already made Elvis a hit and if he could do it for Elvis, he could certainly do it for Jerry Lee Lewis.
- Recording at Sun were some of the best days of my life. It was much different back then than it is today. To cut a record today you need thirty people but back in those days we would just show up and let 'er rip. When I recorded "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" Sam didn't want to record it at first. He wanted me to record "It'll Be Me," which I did, but that wasn't what people wanted to hear. They wanted to hear real Rock and Roll. I kept after Sam until he agreed to do it.  We cut that song just like we'd done it on stage; something that would never happen today. When it came out I was right, it was what the people wanted to hear. It was real rock and roll and that's what we did at Sun, we cut real rock and roll records. That was the beginning of it all. Rock and roll started at Sun Records and without Sun there would be no rock and roll.
- Elvis asked me how I was possibly going to follow up "Whole Lotta Shakin'Goin On." Well, I wasn't too worried about that so just turned to him and said "Oh, I'll think of something" and walked away. Of course, we followed-up with "Great Balls of Fire" which we originally recorded for a movie called "Jamboree." ... I didn't feel like that original take was quite right. It was good but I knew it could be better. We took that song back to the studio at Sun, re-cut it, and the rest is history.
   
- A lot of people have asked me over the years what I think of Sam Phillips and it's sure that we didn't always see eye to eye but, you know, he was like a brother to me. He helped me get my start, and for that I will forever be grateful. There will never be another like him and there will never be another Sun Records. That's where it all started; with Sam, and Carl, and Roy, Johnny, and, of course, ole Jerry Lee. Sam Phillips and Sun records changed the whole world.
- I can't believe it's been 70 years since Sam founded Sun records and I'm blessed to be here to celebrate it with my fans, Sam's fans, Sun Records' fans. God Bless you all. --- - Jerry Lee Lewis



(http://www.elvisinfonet.com/image-files/Book-The-Birth-Of-RocknRoll-70-years-of-Sun-Jerry-Lee.jpg)


Written by two of the most acclaimed music writers of our time, Peter Guralnick and Colin Escott, and featuring hundreds of rare images from the Sun archives as well as a foreword by music legend Jerry Lee Lewis, this is a one-of-a-kind book for anyone who wants to know where it all started.
Publisher: Weldon Owen OUT October 18, 2022 256 pages.

EIN reckons this will be a sensational book.

(News, Source; Amazon/ ElvisInfoNet)



(http://www.elvisinfonet.com/image-files/Book-The-Birth-Of-RocknRoll-70-years-of-Sun-ELVIS-.jpg)


Source: http://www.elvisinfonet.com/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on March 16, 2023, 01:27:10 PM
The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Conversation With Author Peter Guarlnick


https://youtu.be/zLF-puNYGFo


Michael Gray, VP of Museum Services at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum discusses songs from Sun Records that shaped the future of rock and roll with Peter Guralnick, co-author of the new book The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Illustrated Story of Sun Records and the 70 Recordings That Changed The World.






The Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll: The Illustrated History of Sun Records & the 70 Records that Changed the World



(https://sunrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/BirthofRockandRoll_Render_Insta-1.jpg)


https://sunrecords.com/the-birth-of-rock-n-roll-the-illustrated-history-of-sun-records-the-70-records-that-changed-the-world/






Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Lonely Summer on May 04, 2023, 10:05:31 PM
I'm sad these posts of yours don't get more response, Rocker, but I thank you for them. I really was born at the wrong time, always wanted to be able to make recordings the way they did at Sun.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on May 07, 2023, 03:08:10 AM
You're very welcome!
I see what you mean. In theory of course it is possible to make recordings the exact same way as Sam did - technically -, but I guess it's a philosophy about it that has been lost nowadays.




Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Ian on May 07, 2023, 04:31:56 PM
The funny thing is most of the guys on the label were kind of critical of Sam and the restrictions of Sun. Elvis obviously, for better or worse, wanted to do more ballads and have backup singers-the Jordanaires. Roy Orbison hated his time on Sun and felt Sam did not know what to do with him. Johnny Cash seemed to appreciate Sam but as soon as he got to Columbia he started doing things differently. Jerry Lee was I guess the most loyal. I think Jerry did go best work on Sun but I also like a lot of his Mercury years.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on May 10, 2023, 09:27:43 AM
Well, there's truth to that. But you could argue that being able to be critical of your "boss" is a sign of a good working relationship. That aside, I don't think that there are a lot of musicians who are not critical of their record companies, so it's nothing that special imo. Sam certainly had his vision and was eager to make sure it was followed through, that's why - as he said - he never was gonna be a one-artist-label. I wouldn't talk of "restrictions" though, to be honest. If anything I guess Sun was quite unrestricted.

But a couple of things I would disagree with: Certainly Elvis wanted backing singers in the long term but during his time on Sun I don't think that was ever something that was considered. Sam didn't have a problem with using backing singers if you look at other artists when the song needed it (or if he let Jack Clement produce - which unfortuantely made for some very dated recordings by Johnny Cash).
Also, yes Elvis wanted to sing ballads, but Sam did let him record them because he "didn't have the heart to stop him". You can be sure though that after "That's allright" Elvis' mind was set on Rock and Roll, because he not only loved it but he saw that that was what had the potential to make him a star.

Roy and Sam didn't really see eye-to-eye and that frustrated Orbison. I believe he mentioned that Sam couldn't tell him what he wanted and that he himself didn't understand what Sam was trying to tell him. Only later he understood. But Roy also said that he enjoyed the time at Sun for the experience he got in the studio and at the recording process.

Basically I believe that most of the problems anyone had with Phillips was related to money.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Lonely Summer on May 10, 2023, 08:11:31 PM
In the case of Cash, he wanted to record gospel music, and Sam didn't feel he could sell gospel. Sun was a great place for these guys to start, but of course by moving to the major labels, there were bigger budgets to support them, which meant we got gospel albums from Elvis and John; concept albums like Bitter Tears; Orbison (and later) Presley using orchestras on their records; I think it was all for the best.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on May 13, 2023, 02:57:46 AM
In the case of Cash, he wanted to record gospel music, and Sam didn't feel he could sell gospel. Sun was a great place for these guys to start, but of course by moving to the major labels, there were bigger budgets to support them, which meant we got gospel albums from Elvis and John; concept albums like Bitter Tears; Orbison (and later) Presley using orchestras on their records; I think it was all for the best.


Well, Cash also did record Gospel songs at Sun. It was just that - as you said - there was no way in Sam's eyes to sell enough units of an whole album of that material. And he very well may have been right with that. Sun had to be careful what they put out as albums. They were an independent label after all.
I agree with you that in the end it was for the best for all these great artists to go to another label because had they all stayed on Sun I don't think there was a way for Sam to fill the demand for each of the respective artist's product. All in all, Sun was still a one-man-operation.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Ian on May 14, 2023, 12:51:22 PM
It’s interesting that many people formed a strong view of the artists in this period. Seems like a lot of celebrity fans of Elvis like John Lennon did not like the backing singers and strings and wanted Elvis to just sing rock and roll with his two or three piece band again. I remember George Harrison saying that in the Anthology video. Also seemed like Rick Rubin really wanted to strip Johnny Cash back to his Sun sound on the first record he did with him.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on May 24, 2023, 04:04:27 AM
It’s interesting that many people formed a strong view of the artists in this period. Seems like a lot of celebrity fans of Elvis like John Lennon did not like the backing singers and strings and wanted Elvis to just sing rock and roll with his two or three piece band again. I remember George Harrison saying that in the Anthology video.

Yes, that's something I thought about from time to time as well. It's like people like John Lennon and Paul McCartney wouldn't let Elvis grow musically yet at the same time they where demanding that the audience would let them go on from "I want to hold your hand" to their current music. It's a little hypocritical but yet it's what some fans felt and in the end the Beatles were fans just as the next guy. Unfortunately though, many people listen to what Lennon said and think that it has more authority than their own opinion just because it comes from a Beatle, which has led to a lot of the beatiful music Elvis made after 1960 being totally under appreciated.

To tell you the truth - and I won't go further into this at this point because it would probably need a lengthy demonstration - the main problem I see with this attitude to Elvis' later recordings is the labeling of "Rock'n'Roll" of his music (and that of his peers for that matter) and the stereotyped thinking of the audience. Elvis of course didn't play Rock and Roll, he played music his own way (so did Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Carl Perkins a.s.o.) which would then be called "Rock and Roll" and would evolve into a category with a somewhat particular range.

This is of course totally anachronistic and does not describe the way Elvis and the other guys looked at their own music (at least not initially) but it's the way the fans, including the Beatles and others, up to this day look at the early 'Rock and Rollers'. You could argue that while Elvis wanted to make music, the Beatles (and other acts like the Stones etc.) wanted to play "Rock and Roll" (I hope it is clear what I mean, I'd need more time to come up with a better way to phrase this sufficiently).

And although "Rock and Roll" is considered to be the ultimate "there are no boundaries"-style of music, this attitude actually limits that music in very harsh ways, so much so that you are not allowed to appreciate the beauty of Elvis' "It's now or never" if you're a Rock'n'Roller, although in Elvis' own eyes there was no difference between that song and "Hound Dog" because it is just the same naturaly way he made music - both come from the same inner source as "That's alright".

In more recent years I actually find myself wondering more and more if that short periode of time when people like Elvis got their start and before that label "Rock and Roll" crushed everything to death, and of course the way some of these acts continued to make music throughout their carreers may have been the only time when "Rock and Roll" was actually what people to this day like to claim it is but actually isn't. And thinking about this makes me appreciate Sam Phillips all the more because as I understand it, this way of looking at music without any categories was just what he did.



Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Ian on May 24, 2023, 06:44:09 PM
Yeah that is very well said.  It’s actually pretty strange that the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, etc loved the 1950s rockers but at the same time they sort of killed their careers-though some like Elvis were able to maintain popularity. It’s strange but in a sense chuck Berry and Jerry Lee were treated like over the hill old guys by 1965 when they were only a few years older than John and Ringo. Elvis was only five years older than Lennon! Yeah I agree that it is very easy to be swayed by the opinions of people you respect.  But then you realize-even though I like Mick Jagger, he apparently likes all the club and house music that I never could stand, so why should I listen to his opinions of Elvis or The Beach Boys! The thing that is interesting about Elvis-is that it seems like (with a few exceptions) he never was an album guy! Like he just went into the studio every year or two and recorded 25 songs and then let the producer and the company put together any album they wanted with any overdubs they wanted! It would’ve been amazing if he had gotten healthy and done some real albums-like a blues album or another country album. In truth , even that country album he did do was part of a larger hodgepodge session.


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on September 13, 2023, 11:52:16 AM
Lots of good stuff on here:


Determination and passion drove Sam Phillips to create Sun Records and change music forever, and Sun is celebrating his 100th birthday with a 2-LP anthology of songs he brought to life. The gatefold features archival photos and liners from Grammy-winning writer Robert Gordon about Phillips’ legendary legacy. Known as “The Man Who Invented Rock ’n’ Roll,” tracks from artists like Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis remind listeners what the Big Bang of rock and roll sounded like in 1950s Memphis.


https://store.sunrecords.com/product/X3LPSR63/where-rock-n-roll-was-born-celebrating-100-years-of-sam-phillips-lp-various-artists?cp=110846_112418_113737&



(https://static.musictoday.com/store/bands/6012/product_600/X3LPSR63.jpg)




Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on February 10, 2024, 04:50:24 PM
Found on Facebook:


“Hello Everyone,
It’s with a heavy grieving heart that I announce this morning the passing from time into eternity of my husband of 42 years at 10:30pm CST February 9, 2024.
He was 86 years old, and had an incredibly filled life. He loved all of his devoted fans who became amazing friends. He was our family, but his passion for music and love for you all let him belong to everyone.
Peace to you all always,
Deborah”



Memphis Music Hall of Fame entry:

https://memphismusichalloffame.com/inductee/jm-van-eaton/?fbclid=IwAR17_7W38uC_szjyVt2S-iUTgO2MMrsmGl2qpQuApLG32MiL4ENP2WhV0Io



Jimmy van Eaton was the drummer for Billy Lee Rileys band (The little green Men) which became the de facto house band for Sun Records starting ca. '56. You heard his drumming on countless recordings. Here are just a couple of them:


Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcZypy8LA7E


Billy Lee Riley - Red Hot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6P28bCPjAA


Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMwq_D-DWsU


Johnny Cash - Guess Things Happen That Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrEFQuN1xGc


Bill Justis - Raunchy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQOko-IH46o


Jerry Lee Lewis - High School Confidential

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw-2QVUEkhk


Charlie Rich - Lonely Weekends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMFelH4Vzjg


Jerry Lee Lewis - Breathless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndX-R_JDbOU


Charlie Rich - Who Will the Next Fool Be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSv3qWDUYg


Billy Lee Riley - Flyin' Saucers Rock 'n' Roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GDhgdFLjE8





J.M. Van Eaton Interview - The Roots of Rock Drumming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHi309hx3HU


Jimmy van Eaton - Foggy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z60AzxvAE8c


Jimmy Van Eaton – whole lotta drummin’ goin’ on

https://www.vintagerockmag.com/2022/09/jimmy-van-eaton-whole-lotta-drummin-goin-on/


Title: Re: Sam C. Phillips/Sun Records - thread
Post by: Rocker on March 06, 2024, 07:35:56 PM
Sun Records: Conversation with/ Family & Friends of Sam Phillips

Sun Records played a vital role in the history of rock & roll. Join Sam Phillip's family & friends, Jerry Phillips, Halley Phillips, Peter Guralnick and Ben Vaughn, as they reminisce and tell stories about the iconic record label during this virtual interview with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Vice President of Education and Visitor Engagement, Jason Hanley.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTMS4g6Ze6g