A Tour of Sun Studios
What’s the first thing you might think of if you are going to visit Memphis? Is it music and barbecue? Yep – for us too. A tour of Sun Studios, the birthplace of Rock and Roll, was at the top of the list. More about BBQ and music later.
Thank you to Memphis Travel for providing tickets for this tour, but remember the review and opinions are mine. I have to say, we loved Sun Studios.
Sun Records and Recording Studio is like the Holy Grail destination of rock and roll for any music lover, especially those growing up around the South. But it’s also important the influence it had and history to the entire music world. What if Elvis Presley didn’t want to make a recording for his Mother? As they say, the rest is history.
A few people may have heard about Sun Records recently from the show on CMT – Country Music Television. I asked our tour guide about the show. A lot of it was based on true stories, especially the artists which got their start at Sun, and brought Sun to fame. But as with many shows, the truth was heavily embellished when it came to the characters, especially Sam Phillips and Marion Keisker. Marion was secretary at Sun, and if it wasn’t for her pushing Elvis to Sam, The King might have never been discovered. I’m very disappointed there will not be a Season 2.
Just a few things you will see on the tour.
You may remember my husband Don is a record collector. This place was a dream come true for him to visit.
Sun Studio is still in the same location as when it opened. The inside office area has been re-created with antiques and vintage items to give you the feel you stepped back into 1950’s.
The recording studio part is still covered on the walls and ceiling with the same acoustic tiles.
The Million Dollar Quartet, was made up of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. On December 4, 1956, an impromptu jam session purely by accident created what is known now as the Million Dollar Quartet. Perkins had come in to record and Sam decided to try a new piano player, Lewis with the group. Elvis, who was now with RCA, and Cash, just happened to drop by. Who wouldn’t love friends like this to just pop in and begin playing?
So many great pictures hang on these walls – don’t you wish walls could talk? You will find those performers which you might not recognize. Here of course you will recognize Roy Orbison, always in those signature sun glasses, but what about this other guy? That’s Charlie Rich, another Arkansas boy, later known as the Silver Fox. And of course at the top – Elvis.
Does it look like the cleaning crew missed a spot? This is actually where Elvis stood making his first recording. I will disclose I am a huge Elvis fan, and this was just fascinating to have this still in place.
The tour guide was great to give us a lot of history of the studio, it’s artists, and how other places in Memphis was a part of this story.
WHBQ, was a radio station located in the Hotel Chisca. During a renovation of the hotel in 2013, many items were removed including this set up.
DJ Daddy-O Phillips once played That’s All Right more than a dozen times per requests by phone and telegraph more than a dozen times straight.
Notice the broken records on the floor – if he started playing it and didn’t like it, down to the floor it went. Never to be played by him again.
Sun Studio became known for all type of music, from gospel, blues, country, boogie and western swing.
Elvis & Sun Studio
Elvis came into Sun and spoke to Marion (the secretary) and paid $4.00 to record a song for his Mother. Sam Phillips wasn’t around to hear this history in the making. It was with Marion’s encouragement that Elvis was heard several times before signing a contract. With Sam having financial trouble, he sells Elvis’ contract to RCA for $40,000. What a deal!
SUN Labels – real or fake
If you see a record with a Sun Label, only original labels are printed in brown and can be very valuable. If they are printed in black, it’s a reproduction. Elvis’ first 45 That’s All Right is worth about $6ooo. but that would be a rare one in excellent condition. Although albums were produced, 45s are most sought after.
As a music and record lover, a tour of Sun Studios is worth the time. Tours are conducted several times a day and the lobby of the gift shop will be very crowded.
Plan to stick around a little after the next tour begins to have time to look around. Grab a snack or drink, and enjoy the history. For hours and admission prices, or more information, all of it can be found on SUN STUDIO.
As you walk through the doors, just remember who else walked through them about 60 years ago.
What else can you plan on visiting while in Memphis? Memphis Travel can help you out. Stax Records, The Peabody, Cotton Exchange Museum, Memphis Zoo, and of course, Graceland are just a few places we visited.
I’ve included affiliate links to Amazon for you to find some products easier. I may receive a small commission, but the price is the same for you. It just helps my blog out.
Happy Travels,
Rosemary
Never been to Tennessee or of course Sun Studio. Sounds like you had a wonderful time visiting and enjoying learning about some music history
You should visit Tennessee. I’m in Chattanooga and lots to see here too. Hope you come on down.
I love history displayed like this! I think that it makes it much more real for people that didn’t live during that time. I would love to take a tour of Sun Studio I think I would love it!
Wow what an absolutely amazing looking place to visit, such amazing music memorabilia! I would love to be able to visit myself.
I love visiting places which I can really relate too. I’m not a history buff but this I like.
Memphis is one of my favorite cities to visit. We visited the Sun Studios a few years ago and it was a treat. Memphis is so rich in music history and well, history in general. It’s definitely an affordable place to visit. I have a 78 recording of Elvis’ Hound Dog in my record collection.
My husband is the record collector and I know he’s got several albums and 45. I had a few from my own.
This is SO neat. I love looking at places like this. I’m a huge fan of history, so this would thrill me. Plus I adore rock and roll.
This would be so much fun to visit! The history in that small studio is astounding! My Grandma always played Elvis when I was growing up, this would be fun to go and visit with her for sure!
So much history in one location. It’s really cool that Elvis Presley’s career took off from there!
What a cool place to tour. I love that they still have where Elvis stood to make his first recording marked!
History in the making back then. They had no idea how big.
Sun Studios looks like a fantastic place to go to. I am hoping to be in Memphis this winter. I will have to check it out.
Make sure to follow along for more on Memphis. Hope you get there.
My husband is a huge Elvis fan and I know he’s love to go on a tour of Sun Studios. How cool is is that they marked the very spot where he made his first recording?! x
It’s a must visit. I’ll be having a few more posts soon, including a bus tour and Graceland. Memphis is a must.
I have been to Memphis once and my previous boyfriend is from here. I never knew of Sun Studio but the next time I am in Memphis I would love to visit and learn more of the musical history of the city.
I love going through a tour such as this one. You’ve learned a lot of history about people and places.
It’s always fun to learn a few new things. And to stand where these people did.
OMG, I had no idea this was here. I’ve been to Memphis twice so I immediately thought of food and then the blues.
I need to check this out the next time I visit. I love places like this, very rich in history.
We have been here before and loved it. I am not sure I would take my young sun just yet though. Let me know if you would recommend.
I believe they do have age limits for the tour so check out the website. It was crowded when we were there so it might be hard for you to enjoy and listen if you are having to tend to him.
Wow. Such an historical place, I love place like this. I would love to visit and learn more of the musical history of the city.
Follow along as I post about more places we visited in Memphis.
I didn’t know that the home of rock and roll was Memphis now cool is that. Definitely would have loved to see that show and check out all who got featured
Lots of history in Memphis. A must visit for all.
Oh my gosh, I’m such a huge music can especially when it comes.to Rock & Roll. In fact I have some of my old records playing now. I would love to visit Sun Studios one day. It would be a memorable experience as I’m sure it was for you.
So many great places to visit in Memphis. So much history.
Oh wow. What a cool place to visit! I would love to have a chance to visit Sun Studios. It would be so surreal to be into a place where these famous artists used to be. I wish I could take my mom there. She would be so thrilled!
It’s a must for any music lover, or those who grew up with these guys.
Thanks for the virtual tour! Now it’s on my bucket list!
Memphis is a great town to visit. Avoid mid-summer though.
That looks like such an interesting place to visit and so full of music history. I love the broken record on the floor and the story behind it.
Sun Studio is a Rock and roll history site.Its wonderful that you and your husband could visit it.The broken records on the floor they are originals?
I’m not sure if these on display are, but was told that he broke a lot of records which later became hits.