This May, the infamous Beale Street in Memphis, TN will get a new Rock & Roll club. The Jerry Lee Lewis Cafe & Honky Tonk is slated to open May 1, 2013 at 310 Beale Street. Details of Jerry Lee’s appearance for the opening are still being worked out.
Jack Clement is probably one of the most under-rated artists on the Sun Records roster. Not many people know it, but Jack got his start at Sun running the mixing board for recording sessions with Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich and Jerry Lee Lewis. Another Sun Records artist, Elvis Presley, even opened up for Clement at the Memphis club The Eagle’s Nest. He’s the writer for two of Cash’s most famous songs, “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” and “Guess Things Happen That Way”.
The retro-review website has reviewed another Sun Records release. Johnny Cash, All Aboard The Blue Train, was released in November of 1962. This is definitely one of our favorites, and sounds even better if you are lucky enough to have it on vinyl.
The Memphis Music Hall of Fame will honor a great initial class of inductees that helped shape the music we know and love today. Among the class of 2012 are Sun legends Sam Phillips, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and more.
Nashville’s Minor League Baseball team, The Sounds, will celebrate the legacy of Elvis Presley on Taco Bell Throwback Thursday for Elvis Night. Any fan named Elvis or Priscilla will receive free admission with a valid ID while all fans are encouraged to dress as Elvis or in Elvis attire to be eligible to win prizes throughout the evening. Come to the ballpark early, as the first 500 fans will receive a fan, courtesy of Sun Records. An Elvis impersonator kicks off the special evening with special sandwiches at concession stands for one night only.
Last week the designer of iconic Sun Records logo died in Memphis at the age of 87. Jay Parker was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on February 1, 1925. Parker was high school friends with Sam Phillips, and after establishing himself as an art director at the Memphis Engraving Company, he received a visit from Sam asking him to create the image that has been associated with the legendary Sun Records label ever since.
The Johnny Cash Music Festival television special featuring performances by Rosanne Cash, John Carter Cash, Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, and Rodney Crowell is scheduled to air on GAC on July 28, PBS (check local listings) and RFD TV on July 26 and 28.
A while back we mentioned a great new record being released by Chris Isaak. The album is a personal tribute to the glory days of Sun Studios in Memphis and the legendary producer behind the console in Sun Studio, Sam Phillips.
Last week, a new Victoria’s Secret commercial competed in CBS’s Clash of the Commercials. The show asked viewers from the United States and across the world to vote for their favorite commercials. Most notably for Sun Records fans was the Victoria’s Secret commercial featuring “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups. The commercial made it far enough to be one of the top ten U.S. finalists. While the commercial didn’t win, it is no doubt the iconic pop culture lingerie company is a perfect match for The Dixie Cups’ hit song.
Last week The King’s daughter paid a visit to the place that launched his career. Lisa Marie Presley held a meet & greet session at Sun Studio where she signed autographs and met some of her biggest fans. The event in her hometown of Memphis was held to promote the release of her third album, Storm and Grace. The album was released on May 15th and can be purchased through iTunes and a variety of distributors. Read the USA Today article and watch the interview of Lisa talking about her latest release.
