Sun Records: An Oral History

by John Floyd

It was the place where blues, pop, and country merged into rock and roll--and the sounds that emerged from the tiny storefront at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis are still reverberating around the world nearly fifty years after they were made. On Sam Phillips's bright yellow Sun Records label spun a mind-bendingly eclectic body of music by Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Junior Parker, Johnny Cash, and many others. And one day, a gawky nobody named Elvis Presley walked in. John Floyd has collected fascinating memories from seminal Sun artists, producers, and scenemakers, including Rufus Thomas, Little Milton, Scotty Moore, Billy Lee Riley, Jack Clement, and more. In their own words, they take you through the studio doors for a riveting look at the most influential creative environment in pop music history and the cantankerous genius who rules over it all--and make you an eyewitness to the birth of rock and roll.It was the place where blues, pop, and country merged into rock and roll--and the sounds that emerged from the tiny storefront at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis are still reverberating around the world nearly fifty years after they were made. On Sam Phillipss bright yellow Sun Records label spun a mind-bendingly eclectic body of music by Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Junior Parker, Johnny Cash, and many others. And one day, a gawky nobody named Elvis Presley walked in. John Floyd has collected fascinating memories from seminal Sun artists, producers, and scenemakers, including Rufus Thomas, Little Milton, Scotty Moore, Billy Lee Riley, Jack Clement, and more. In their own words, they take you through the studio doors for a riveting look at the most influential creative environment in pop music history and the cantankerous genius who rules over it all--and make you an eyewitness to the birth of rock and roll.

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction

191 pages, Paperback

First published August 14, 1998

Reviews

[Heath Lowrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1950's, magic happened, a music and culture that, quite literally, changed the world. It was lightning in a bottle, all in a ragged little building called the Memphis Recording Service, and a man named Sam Phillips captured it.

Back in the late '90's, I worked for a while as a tour guide at Sun Studio. This book by John Floyd was one of the volumes we used to recommend to people who wanted to gain more insight into the history of that amazing place, often as supplement to Colin Escott's "Good Rockin' Tonight". There are myriad stories of the musicians and staff at Memphis Recording Services (note that it wasn't called Sun Studio; Sun Records was the name of the record label that operated out of Memphis Recording), not all of them flattering and some of them downright crazy. It had been many years since I read this oral history, and was surprised about how much I'd forgotten, all the odd little tales we used to regale visitors with, little bits of story that occupied the nooks and crannies of Sun's history. I'd personally consider it essential reading for a better understanding of the world-changing events that happened at Sun, along with Escott's book. I'm thrilled that Devault-Graves has seen fit to re-release it for Kindle.

[Byron 'Giggsy' Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

not a complete history into Sun Records (many of those already exist) but rather insight from musicians, producers, and engineers to the magical sessions as well as failure of Sam Phillips and Sun Records.

Many mentions of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins, but this oral history features participants ranting and raving about anything and often covers Billy Lee Riley, Jim Dickinson, Roland Janes, Rufus Thomas, Roscoe Gordon, and Jack Clement in even more detail

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of tidbits by session players rather than an actual history of Sun Records. If you're looking for stories about Elvis or Perkins or Cash look elsewhere. This is more about the minor people who recorded at Sun. For me the biggest benefit of reading this introducing me to a whole of of musicians I'd never header before like Sister Rosetta Tharpe or the Memphis Jug Band. If you're looking for the history of Sun Records look elsewhere. If you already know and are really into that period of music then you may want to check this out.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the entries were interesting but collectively it fell short. It was like reading an oral history of a Superbowl where they only spoke to offensive linemen. Surely their contribution to the game was crucial but ultimately it would end up as a limited view of the game. This ended up a limited view.

[Brian Brantley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok book about Sun Records and how it started and finished. There are better books out there about Sun Records and Sam Phillips. Told in an interview style with various people who recorded and produced at Sun Records.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good if only a gloss on the inspiring story of Sun Records.