Tag Archives: Sam Phillips

“If I don’t feel it, I can’t play it.” — James Cotton

Blues-harmonica legend James Cotton was born on this day in 1935 on a cotton plantation. He was a working musician by the time he was 10 years old. He toured with Howlin’ Wolf. Eventually he hooked up with Muddy Waters … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“I couldn’t do no yodelin’, so I turned to howlin’ and it’s done me just fine.”– Howlin’ Wolf

Chester Burnett, who would eventually become the legendary Howlin’ Wolf, was born on this day in 1901. He is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the “early influences” category. He is in the Memphis Music Hall of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

“I never heard the term ‘rockabilly’ back then. Nobody did…When people asked what music we played, we were rock ’n’ rollers.” — Sonny Burgess

“This record sold like hotcakes. TOO BAD IT DIDN’T SELL LIKE RECORDS!” — Sonny Burgess, introducing one of his songs, as related by Deke Dickerson It’s the birthday of Arkansas-born Sonny Burgess, who died in 2017. Burgess was a Sun … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Sometimes I can sing it when I can’t say it.” — Carl Perkins

“The music was new, the kids were just eatin’ it up. They were claiming it as their own music. But I really think when the kids were comin’ to the sock hops and to the rock and roll shows, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Memphis amateurs are the world’s professionals.” — Rufus Thomas

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie was filled with deep cuts, so appreciated if you care about this story, and not just Elvis’ story, but the environment from which he came. Memphis. Beale Street. Thomas was a singer, yes, and he recorded … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight.” — Johnny Cash

It’s his birthday today. Johnny Cash, singing “Man in Black” in Denmark: Here he is on Tex Ritter’s Ranch Party, 1956 or so. Great guitar solo, too. He’s not just strumming that guitar. The guitar CHUGS along, with an irresistible … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , | 29 Comments

“I was looking for what was coming from a man’s soul and a man’s conviction.” — Sam Phillips

The myth. The legend. There’s a lot of bull shit with the legend, and saying that does not mean throwing out the whole thing. But Sam did have a way of placing him at the center of every story in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“I dont want to just do just country type stuff the rest of my life. I want to do some different things.” — Charlie Rich

Charlie Rich was only 62 years old when he died, but he managed to cram in so much music in that time. Massive fame came to him fairly late, with the “countrypolitan” phase of country music, where a more sophisticated … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

“When I’m performing, that’s the real me.” — Billy Lee Riley

“Memphis 1955 on Union Avenue Carl and Jerry and Charlie and Roy And Billy Riley too…” – Johnny Cash, “I Will Rock’n’Roll With You” “and Billy Riley too” …. Billy Lee Riley was always a little irritated to be an … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

“Either be hot or cold. If you are lukewarm, the Lord will spew you forth from his mouth.” — The Killer

“There is more of the Devil and of salvation — of the power of the eternal idea of those forces — implicit in that kicking than in all their crying unto heaven combined. And in this age of safe sex … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments