Sun Studio, Memphis, was opened by Rock pioneer Sam Phillips in 1950, and quickly earned a place in music history. It was home to Elvis Presley’s first recordings, the place where the first Rock and Roll song, Jackie Brenston’s Rocket 88, was laid down, and the studio where greats such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, BB King, and many, many more, stepped up to the microphone.
When Sun Records outgrew the small Sun Studio space in 1959, Sam Phillips opened larger studios on Madison Avenue, Memphis, which became known as Phillips Recording. All recording stopped at Sun Studio in 1969 when Phillips sold the label to Shelby Singleton. But it wasn’t to be the end.
In 1985, legends Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash returned to Sun Studio to record the Class of 55 sessions. Then in 1987 the studio was brought back to life.
U2 Stepped into Sun Studio History with Rattle and Hum
When the Studio was reopened, greats such as Paul Simon and Ringo Starr headed for Memphis to record in the historic space. U2 also made the journey, and documented the experience in their Rattle and Hum movie.
U2 recorded Angel of Harlem, When Love Comes to Town and Love Rescue Me at Sun Studio. To add to the experience and give the songs that special Sun Studio sound, they enlisted the help of producer “Cowboy” Jack Clement, who produced tracks by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and more in the early Sun Studio days.
Angel of Harlem went on to become one of the biggest selling singles recorded at Sun Studios. The console U2 used to record their Rattle and Hum tracks is part of the museum, and is one of the more popular items on display.
Artists Continue to Record at the Legendary Sun Studio, Memphis
Sun Studio continues to be a working recording studio to this day. In 2009, John Mellencamp and Canadian Blues artist JW-Jones were just two of the artists who recorded tracks for their new albums in the famous studios.
John Mellencamp followed his Sun Studio heroes’ example, and recorded his tracks live and in mono, just as Sam Phillips did with the Sun legends in the 1950s. Mellencamp told Rolling Stone magazine he and his producer laughed when they realised they had recorded five tracks in one night – compared to spending days working on a drum sound in the seventies and eighties.
“It’s a mysterious room – it’s has ghosts.” Mellencamp’s producer T-Bone Burnett, told Rolling Stone as he described the Sun Studio experience.
Sun Studio Tours are a Must for Any Memphis Vacation
Sun Studio boasts an incredible history, and offers fascinating tours that are a must for any Memphis vacation.
Sun Studio is found at 706 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. Tours are conducted daily from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Visitors can take advantage of the free shuttle to and from Graceland.
Tours cost $12 for adults and are complimentary for children aged 5-11. The official Sun Studio website explains that children under 5 are not permitted “due to the personal nature of our tour performance”.
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