Sun King: The Life and Times of Sam Phillips

 

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Due for release from the Little Brown Book Group on May 6, 2008 is the hardback book "Sun King: The Life and Times of Sam Phillips, The Man Behind Sun Records" by Kevin and Tanja Crouch (ISBN: 9780749951740).

 

Synopsis from the publisher's site:

 

Music producer Sam Phillips and his landmark studio, Sun Records, hold a unique place in the history of rock 'n' roll - by many accounts, before Phillips recorded 'Rocket 88' by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats in 1951, rock 'n' roll as we know it didn't even exist. Phillips is simultaneously hailed as the man who discovered Elvis Presley and derided as the man who sold the same artist to RCA for a paltry $35,000. The list of musical legends that passed through the doors of Sun Records is simply astounding, including BB King, Ike Turner, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and more.

 

SUN KING strips away the glossy veneer of legend around the Phillips story - which, like his signature sound, was much the result of his own careful crafting - to reveal a man who, from a very young age, heard a musical sound that no one else heard. Complete with a full Sun Records discography, 'Sun King' is an indispensable document in the history of rock music.

 

Source: Elvis Book Research / Updated: Mar 24, 2008

 

On the subject of Sam Phillips, there’s a campaign headed by Liz Scott of Elvis Unlimited for a Sam Phillips Commemorative U.S. Postage Stamp ;)

 

 

Elvis Unlimited subscriber,Liz Scott is the driving force behind the Sam Phillips US Stamp petition. She is working so hard to make this dream a reality. It is an honor Sam sure does deserve. Show your support to a fellow Elvis Unlimited member and more so to Sam! Check out Liz's myspace page for more information and updates on her ongoing campaign. And please sign the on line petition by following the link provided.

 

Sam Phillips U.S. Commemorative Postage Stamp Campaign

 

Liz Scott

Phone: (256) 766-2913

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Email: samphillipsstampusa@live.com

 

 

SINGLE 29 YEAR OLD FACES BIGGEST

CHALLENGE OF HER LIFE

She Says That U.S. Stamp Campaign Has Expanded Worldwide

 

Thousands of music lovers around the world continue to weigh in their support for the ultimate accolade for a man who was the driving force behind the Rock’n’Roll movement of the 1950s. Sam Phillips discovered the talents, of international stars such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Ike Turner and Roy Orbison, to name a few. Phillips, who was a poor sharecropper’s son, was born in Florence, AL. He moved to Memphis, TN and opened a small recording studio which opened the doors for both black and white, and also women. Elvis Presley biographer, Peter Guralnick said, “Sam Phillips could be said to be the man who invented Rock and Roll. He was a man of vision and principal- both social and aesthetic- who by dint of personality sought to overcome the ingrained prejudice of his time and place. His life and work, the music that he recorded stand, as a tribute to the individuality and freedom, a rebuke to conformity and convention. And that difference changed the world."

 

A Sun Records fan from Ontario, Canada said: “If there could be only one definitive book about the origins of Rock’n’Roll, then Sam Phillips would be the author.” An Elvis fan from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio said: “Sam sure knew talent when he saw it. Nobody else had this insight on to what people could become. He was so kind to regular people and he had this way to make you feel like you mattered.”

 

According to Liz Scott, Coordinator of the official Sam Phillips U.S. Commemorative Postage Stamp Campaign, she is determined to push this campaign forward. Sam broke racial and social barriers and made his mark in the Civil Rights Movement in his own right - music had no color to him. His music, 50 years later, continues to stand the test of time. “Sam Phillips deserves this high honor from our United States Postal Service,” said Scott, “because he brought people together, when this country was still recovering from the prejudices and insurmountable differences that wounded us from the Civil War of the 1860s.” Alabama Governor Bob Riley said, "This is a wonderful opportunity to honor the legacy of Alabama native Sam Phillips and his profound influence on the world of music. Sam Phillips' legacy and musical contributions will undoubtedly continue to inspire performers and music lovers for generations to come."

 

The motivation behind Ms. Scott’s drive to make this stamp happen for Sam is because she has an enormous passion and respect for Phillips and his family. “He and I were born in the same Alabama town and he never forgot his hometown roots,” said Scott. Florence Mayor Bobby Irons said, "Sam Phillips was our native son who gave his life to creating and producing wonderful music. We are very proud of his talents and his great accomplishments which have influenced and inspired millions of people around the world."

 

Ms. Scott is a full-time owner of her own house-cleaning business. She is also founder of the Sam Phillips Music Celebration and President of the Alabama Fans TCB for Elvis Fan Club.

 

If you would like more information about the Sam Phillips U.S. Postage Stamp Campaign, or to schedule an interview with Liz Scott, please call her at 256-766-2913 or email Liz at samphillipsstampusa@live.com Visit her MySpace website at http://www.myspace.com/samphillipsstampusa

 

On line petition

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sam-ph...tage-stamp.html

 

Source: ELVIS UNLIMITED

 

 

Sun Studio Vs Sun Records

 

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In 1960, Sam Phillips closed Sun Studio at 706 Union Ave in Memphis. 8 years later, he sold Sun Records to Shelby Singleton who now owns the label, logo and master recordings. Shelby runs Sun Entertainment out of Nashville.

 

At a meeting in Nashville a few days ago, the two companies signed a settlement agreement. "As soon as it gets completed, we'll probably put out a joint news release that tells everybody some of the details of the agreement," said Shelby.

Sun Studio owner John Schorr said the recent deal means the two entities can now pick up where they left off and continue a long and successful working relationship.

 

"My basic comment on the situation itself is I've always considered us friends, us and the guys in Nashville," Schorr said. "And basically, on Wednesday of (last) week, we agreed to continue that friendship for hopefully years into the future."

 

The history:

 

John Schorr operates the Sun Studio, museum and shop in it's former home at 706 Union. Sun is a Memphis land mark. Recording sessions still happen in that famous studio today. Tourists can even record a track or two when visiting the studio. In 2006, Singleton's Sun Entertainment filed a law suit against Sun Studio in Memphis. The reason behind the suit was the Memphis logo was too similar to Sun Entertainment's logo.

 

The following year, Sun Studio of Memphis shot back at Sun Entertainment with a lawsuit of their own. They said the Nashville based Sun was selling and marketing products with the words, "Memphis,Tennessee" appearing on them. Memphis based Sun Studio felt this was a clear violation of their license agreement.

 

Source: Elvis Unlimited / Updated: Mar 25, 2008

 

I remember reading about this, some time ago. I'm so glad that they came to an agreement and can continue to get along well