Died On This Date (July 30, 2003) Sam Phillips / Legendary Record Producer
themusicsover Sam Phillips
January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003
As a producer, Sam Phillips was one of the key architects of early rock ‘n roll. What he helped create in his Sun Studios would become the foundation on which current popular music was built. Phillips opened his Memphis recording studio in 1950 to make records for his own label, Sun Records. One of his early recordings was Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88,” that many consider the first rock ‘n roll record ever. Other future legends he worked with were B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Rufus Thomas and Howlin’ Wolf, whom he considers his greatest discovery. Of course most consider his OTHER “discovery” to be his greatest – Elvis Presley. Phillips recorded some of the biggest early records by some of the greatest names in rock history. They included hits by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Ike Turner, and Roy Orbison. Sam Phillips died of respiratory failure at the age of 80.
