Showing posts with label Tennessee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennessee. Show all posts

Aug 5, 2023

Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee

Opened in 1950 by rock & roll pioneer Sam Phillips, Sun Studio is an iconic Memphis, Tennessee landmark. Originally known as the Memphis Recording Service, the building was also shared by Phillips' independent Sun Records label. Sun was the first company to record Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash, earning this small studio its legendary status for rock & roll, country, rockabilly, and blues fans around the globe.

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee


Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Touring this studio, not unlike Motown in Detroit or FAME in Muscle Shoals, you're instantly overwhelmed by the history connected to such an unassuming space. To stand where Elvis, and numerous others, recorded their first singles makes the early days of rock & roll look so humble. And yet, you only need to drive a few miles to Graceland to see what a difference a few decades made. Memphis's Sun Studio is an incredible slice of music history to explore.  


Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Million Dollar Quartet Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
"Million Dollar Quartet". An impromptu jam session broke out between Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash at Sun Studio on December 4, 1956. Often noted as a seminal moment in rock & roll history, the session was recorded and captured four artists together who were radically changing the landscape of popular music in the 1950s.

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Inside the iconic studio.

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee


Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee



Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee


Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Front office of Sun Studio.

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee


Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee
Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee



Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee


Sun Studio Memphis Tennessee

Apr 5, 2021

Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee

Elvis may have left the building, but that hasn't stopped countless fans from visiting Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee each year. As one of the most popular homes in the United States, the former estate of Elvis Presley is now a museum, archive, national historic site, and shrine to the life and music of this undisputed rock and roll legend. 

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee


The house was built in 1939, however it was on March 19, 1957 that Elvis Presley bought the property for $102,500. Situated on a 13.8 acre wooded estate, the southern Colonial mansion used to be on the outskirts of Memphis, but as the city grew it became surrounded by other properties. Today, as amazing as it is, Graceland is at the center of what can only be described as an unapologetic tourist trap dedicated to The King.  


Elvis would call Graceland home for two decades, before his untimely death here in 1977. Recognizing the enormous upkeep costs, Graceland was opened for public tours on June 7, 1982. He, along with his parents, Gladys and Vernon, and his grandmother, are all buried in the Meditation Garden on the property. 

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Graceland remains a fascinating look into the life of Elvis Presley. From the kitsch 1970's decor of the Jungle Room to the upholstered ceilings in the pool room to the three televisions that Elvis would watch in his media room, the home is well kept and locked in time. Only the upstairs remains off limits. Still, there's no place better than Graceland to appreciate the man who revolutionized rock and roll. Elvis Presley is still very much alive in Memphis. 

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee
Elvis Presley at Graceland ca. 1957

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee


Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Elvis Graceland Memphis Tennessee

Jungle Room Graceland Elvis