“…the fervour in that man’s face when he sang. His eyes would light up, you’d see the veins come out on his neck and buddy, there was nothing on his mind but that song. He sang with his damn soul.” – Sam Phillips on Howlin’ WolfRead more
“When I heard Howlin’ Wolf, I knew this is where the soul of man never dies.” – Sam Phillips, Owner, Sun RecordsRead more
Howlin’ Wolf was actually partially responsible for the founding of Sun Records in 1952. After founder Sam Phillips had to send Wolf to Chess Records in Chicago because he didn’t have his own label, he started Sun Records — and changed music forever.Read more
Howlin’ Wolf was discovered by Sun Records’ Sam Phillips, who heard Wolf performing live on the West Memphis, Arkansas KWEM radio station in 1951.Read more
The first Sun Records logo was designed by a former high school classmate of Sam Phillips, John Gale Parker Jr.Read more
Sam Phillips sold Elvis Presley’s contract for $35,000 in 1955. It would be roughly equivalent to $350K today.Read more
The success of Ike Turner’s “Rocket 88”, recorded at Sam Phillips’ Memphis Recording Service, gave Philips the ability to open Sun Records in 1952.Read more
After selling Sun Records, Sam Phillips was the first investor in a small local motel with big plans to develop a chain of hotels, called Holiday Inn.Read more
Pioneering record producer Sam Phillips died July 30th, 2003 — one day before the building he made famous, Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee was designated a National Historic Landmark.Read more
