A Visit to Sun Studio in Memphis

Sun Studio is a recording studio opened by Rhythm and Blues/Rockabilly pioneer Sam Phillips at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee in 1950. It was originally called Memphis Recording Service, sharing the same building with the Sun Records label business. Sun Studio is perhaps most famous for its role in the early years of Elvis Presley’s career.

I have intended to visit this studio for several years. On a recent round trip back from Texas my wife and I took the opportunity to visit this famous studio!

At the main entrance to Sun Studio. It is essentially the same as it was in the 1950's!

In my opinion it was Marian Keisker of whom I think was the one who discovered Elvis Presley! Her office is in the front of the studio. 

Yours truly taking in the 
"vib" of this historic studio!

The thought that kept running in my mind was, "If these walls could talk!"!!! The raw talent that recorded here in the 1950's is staggering! The photo on the left wall features Sun's greatest successes: Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash! 

The original Ampex reel-to-reel tape recorder used in Sun Studio!

The black circle on the low E piano key was a burn made by Jerry Lee Lewis putting out his cigar!

The small control room where Sam Phillips would engineer the sessions!

The studio is about the size of a typical living room. All the acoustic tiling on the walls and circles are original! It is still an active studio as many musicians want to record there (including U2).

Looking from the back of the studio to the front. Note the scalloped ceiling.

Me with the actual Shure 55SH microphone that recorded Elvis and the rest of the rockabilly pioneers at Sun! Thaaannnnnnnnkkkkk-youuuuuuuuuuuu-verrrrrrrah-muuuuch!!!

Next on my list of studios to see: Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL!