ON THIS DAY IN 1955, SAM PHILIPS LAUNCHED RENOWNED RECORD LABEL, SUN RECORDS

The launch song, “Drivin’ Slow” was recorded by 16 year old saxophonist Johnny London. The label soon released music from now famed musicians like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Howlin’ Wolf and Johnny Cash. Founded in Memphis, Sun Records had a clear focus on rhythm and blues, with Philips being a huge fan who aimed to bring the music to a white audience.

The company was an early supporter of African-American artists, partly due to Philips passion for their music. The company was sold in 1969 to Shelby Singleton who reformed the company into Sun Entertainment Corporation, which it remains as today. From here, Sun obtained numerous other small labels in various acquisitions over the years, and moved it’s headquarters to Nashville.

Sun’s legacy continues through numerous compilations and covers of its early hits that still release today. Collectables and these CD’s can be purchased from Sun’s website. A TV series about the label called “Sun Records” also aired last year and the eight episodes can be found online.