Sun Studio is a recording studio opened by rock pioneer Sam Phillips at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis. Supposedly the first rock-and-roll single, Rocket 88, was recorded there in 1951 (with composer Ike Turner on keyboards) leading the studio to claim status of the birthplace of rock 'n roll.
Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charlie Rich all recorded there throughout the mid to late 50's when the studio outgrew its Union Avenue location. Sun Studio was also where the "million dollar quartet" of Cash, Perkins, Presley, and Lewis met (unplanned). The session was recorded by Phillips. This musical meeting is the basis for the amazing Broadway show, Million Dollar Quartet.
In 1987 the original building was reopened as a recording label and tourist attraction that has attracted many notable artists such as U2, Ringo Starr, Bonnie Raitt, and Def Leppard.
