Memphis/Gonerfest Part Two - Sun Studios

Our hotel was just a hop, skip and jump (or a walk and a short bus ride) from Sun Studios, and, of course, we had to make a pilgrimage there while in town. We made this out first daytime stop in the city.

First thing we saw was that even their garage is rock'n'roll here!

The outside of the building is decorated with hep pics of their stars from their Sun hey-day, which are nice juxtapositions with the bricks and pipes.

I know that the guitar is far from original, but dug it a lot, anyway. Of course, this portion of the building was not part of the studio, but still looks cool and this houses the gift shop and some of the memorabilia.

There are innumerable photos, records and fun items everywhere in the building - here is a display of some of the stuff for sale and more cool posters and 45's.

 

When the tour starts, we are taken to the upstairs where there are displays showing the original tape recording machines and vinyl cutters that were used by Sam Phillips. Pretty fantastic to see these original machines that literally created history.

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Of course, the blues artists that were some of the first that Sam recorded were mentioned, like the incredible Howlin' Wolf!

Supposedly these are some of Elvis' early guitars. Very cool stuff - can't say that I've ever seen him pictured with any of these, though, so hard to verify.

Dewey Phillips (no relation) of WHBQ radio was the first to play many of Sam's records, including Elvis' first. His booth was about to be demolished in the remodel of the Hotel Chisca (where it was housed), but it was saved and relocated to the Sun Studio Museum. The record on the turntable is an original Sun 78 signed by Elvis.

Of course, before it became Sun, Sam operated as the Memphis Recording Studio.

Sorry the photos are a little out of order, but this was a cool placard about the hotel and radio station.

This item literally sent chills down my spine - the original 78 acetate of "Rocket 88", along with the original, damaged guitar amplifier that was used to record the song! Thrilling!

Another shot of the radio DJ booth.

And wow, the actual studio where the hits were recorded. We were told that even though other businesses took over the space over the years (including a laundry mat!) the space was still the same - same tiles, same walls, same ceiling acoustical tiles - everything! Mind-boggling if that is really true. Regardless, standing in that space literally brought tears to my eyes - standing where the giants stood and the amazing music was made. It truly was an experience of a lifetime. The equipment is there (period pieces, though not original) because the studio is still a functioning, recording studio, that can be rented for $150.00 an hour, including engineer! Don't think we didn't make plans then and there!

On the way out, of course we had to buy a few items and I stopped in the restroom and even that is filled with cool pix!

After all of that, we made a trip over to Beale Street and had lunch at the world famous Gus's Fried Chicken, even though we primarily eat vegetarian, we had to try this while in Memphis and it was well worth it. Excellent food, excellent, friendly service and cool, casual atmosphere.