Saturday, July 30, 2011

Sam Phillips passed away this day in 2003

Sam Phillips (behind the mixing console at Sun Records along with Elvis, Scotty Moore and Bill Black) passed away this day in 2003 at the age of 80.  Sam recorded such blues greats as B.B. King, Howlin Wolf, Ike Turner (then a session player for Jackie Brenston) and others before starting his own label Sun Records in  1952.  During this time he discovered and recorded Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Billy Lee Riley and others.  Watch Sam talk about the early days and getting an "imperfect perfect" sound...

Friday, July 29, 2011

Stray Cats- "Gene & Eddie"

Here's a great tribute to Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran by the Stray Cats called "Gene & Eddie".  It's from their album Blast Off released in 1989.  This is the official music video...

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Elvis plays first concert in Memphis


On this day in 1954, Elvis gives his first live performance in Memphis, TN.  His group of Scotty Moore and Bill Black were billed as the "Blue Moon Boys".  They performed on a flatbed truck to commemorate the opening of a drugstore on Lamar Ave.  Here's supposedly some video footage from that (random instrumental music can be heard during video)....

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Rave On Buddy Holly

An exciting tribute album that you don't want to miss is Rave On Buddy Holly.  The collection includes a diverse group of talent including Paul McCartney, Karen Elson (with Jack White), Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Cee Lo Green, The Black Keys, Kid Rock, Graham Nash and many others.  Check out the video below to get a glimpse behind this great project...



Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Smiley Lewis born this day in 1913

Smiley was most known for his hit "I Hear You Knocking" which artists like Fats Domino, Dave Edmunds and others had hits with it as well.  Other key recordings include "Blue Monday" (also a hit for Fats Domino), "One Night" (also a hit for Elvis Presley) and "The Bells Are Ringing".  Here's his version of "I Hear You Knocking" recorded in 1955...