The Next Elvis: Searching for Stardom at Sun Records

Image Plates

Carl Perkins’s debut Sun LP, Dance Album of Carl Perkins. His hit, “Blue Suede Shoes,” deserved larger type on the cover. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Johnny Cash’s first album, Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar, displayed his songwriting abilities. Backing by the Tennessee Two established the unmistakable Cash sound. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Sam Phillips, full of youthful confidence, left a radio career in Memphis for custom recording but found fame and wealth at his Sun Record Company, then branched out with Phillips International Corp. The new company’s logo and a photo of Sam are included in an announcement brochure in the Sun exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Colorful sales manager and Sam’s brother, Jud Phillips. CourtesyofSunEntertainmentCorporation. Bookkeeper and office manager Sally Wilbourn. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Receptionist and office assistant Regina Reese. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. I took some Sun musicians to Webb Studio for their publicity photos, but in 1959 I had a sitting of my own. The times called for hat and gloves when a lady dressed up. Author’s collection. Music director and recording artist Bill Justis had the first hit on the Phillips International label, the trend-setting instrumental “Raunchy.” Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Roy Orbison’s pensive mood is apparent in this image, as well as in many of his songs. Courtesy of the Roy Orbison Estate. Jerry Lee Lewis’s first EP referred to him as “The Great Ball of Fire.” Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Billy Riley—singer, guitarist, bass man, and great showman—was omnipresent on Sun releases, as was his drummer, J. M. Van Eaton. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Billy Riley’s band, the Little Green Men. Rear, left to right, Jimmy Wilson, piano; Billy, guitar; J. M. Van Eaton, drums. Front, left to right, Pat O’Neil, bass, and Martin Willis, saxophone. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Breathless” was teamed with Beechnut Gum to sell more of both. The yellow Sun label is the most widely recognized label art in the world. The check mark was added to let DJs know this was the A-side. The Sun Records logo is a registered trademark in the United States and elsewhere and is used by permission of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Jerry Lee with the stars of the MGM movie High School Confidential. The B side of the single was a good song, but the title was unfortunate in light of Jerry Lee’s publicity debacle of 1958. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Until his fan club got going, I answered Jerry Lee’s fan mail on this stationery. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. Our Sun newsletter told about our records, DJs, and other labels and artists. Here I mention that Ricky Nelson has recorded one of Jack Clement’s tunes. Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation. ...