WIRED Staff
Culture

Slideshow: Sun Shines Light on Music History

The roots of rock 'n' roll -- and even the bloodline of geekdom and the home electronics explosion -- can be traced to a little room in Memphis, Tennessee. Michelle Delio reveals the secrets of Sun Studio's signature sounds.
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Pork rules in Memphis.

See related story: Sun Shines Light on Music History

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Elvis (evidently) lives.
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Producer Sam Phillips captured the roots of rock 'n' roll on tape with the help of simple recording gear in a small, acoustically unique room.
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In Sun Studio's cafe, visitors can snack on Elvis' favorite: fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
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This photo on a Sun Studio wall was taken during a reunion recording session with some of Sun's best-known artists.
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Tour guide Mik Walker shows off a small fraction of Sun Studio's music memorabilia collection.
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Elvis cut his first hit record at Sun Studio.
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John Schorr is the president of Sun Studio.
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Memphis' legendary Beale Street is a pilgrimage spot for blues fans.
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"It's important to us that Sun is more than a legend, more than a piece of history," says John Schorr, president of Sun Studio. "We want Sun to rock on."
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Phillips' Memphis Recording Service, which later became Sun Studio, opened Jan. 2, 1950, with the slogan, "We record anything-anywhere-anytime."
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Some of the guitars and amps on display at Sun Studio were donated by musicians who recorded their and wanted to see the studio restored to its former glory.
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Got the blues? Get some green. Mik Walker shows Sun Studio visitors how Johnny Cash achieved a unique sound on his recording of "Get Rhythm."
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Sun Studio is widely regarded as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll.