Samuel Cornelius Phillips (January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003), better known as Sam Phillips, was an American businessman, record executive, record producer and DJ who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s. He was a producer, label owner, and talent scout throughout the 1940s and 1950s. He most notably founded Sun Studios and Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Through Sun, Phillips discovered such recording talent as Howlin' Wolf, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. The height of his success culminated in his launching of Elvis Presley's career in 1954. He is also associated with several other noteworthy rhythm and blues and rock and roll stars of the period. Phillips sold Sun in 1969. He was an early investor in the Holiday Inn chain of hotels.
Read more about Sam Phillips: Early Life, The "Memphis Recording Service" and Sun Records, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, WHER, Other Business Interests, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Film Portrayals
Famous quotes containing the words sam and/or phillips:
“Kick at the rock, Sam Johnson, break your bones:”
—Richard Wilbur (b. 1921)
“Hollywood is a place that attracts people with massive holes in their souls.”
—Julia Phillips (b. 1945)