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He was born Samuel Cornelius Phillips in Florence,
Alabama and was a record producer who was
known for his involvement in the emergence of rock and roll in the
1950s. On 3rd January
1950 he opened the Memphis Recording Service which served as the studios
for Sun Records as well as recording events such as weddings and funerals
and selling records. He is
credited, by some, as recording the first rock and roll record in 1951,
"Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and
his Delta Cats, which was led by Ike Turner. B.B. King and Howlin'
Wolf made their first recordings at his studios and then in the same period
he discovered Elvis Presley who recorded his version of "That's
All Right Mama". In 1955
he launched the WHER radio station where nearly every position was held by
a woman. In 1986 he was
one of the first to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his
contribution has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 1987 he was inducted into the
Alabama Hall of Fame and in 1991 he received a Grammy Trustees Award for
his lifetime achievements. In
1998 he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and in 2001, the Country
Music Hall of Fame. He died of
respiratory failure on 30th July
2003 at St. Francis
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee. He was 80 years old. It was the day before Sun
Studios was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Amazing Rhythm
Aces Recordings
Mystery Train (Sam
Phillips/Herman Parker)
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Phillips
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