Sam Phillips, founder of the legendary Sun Studio, died this last week, the same week the U.S. Interior Department named Sun Studio as the only recording studio designated a national historical landmark.
John Schorr, owner and acting general manager of Sun Studios at 706 Union Ave., said he hasn't noticed a particular influx of people since Phillips' death, but that it is hard to tell, since this time of year is their busiest.
"Elvis week is coming up, and Sun Studios is where he recorded his first 10 songs, so we are always flooded this time of year," Schorr said.
While Schorr said several people have brought wreathes, flowers and condolence messages, he said the format of the tour has not been altered to mention Phillips' death.
"We like our people to be upbeat," Schorr said. "Everyone knows what happened and people are talking about it -- there is a general buzz surrounding it already, but people are really here to commemorate the music."
While Phillips is probably best known for discovering Elvis Presley, he also combined the musical styles of rhythm and blues, country and western and gospel to form the rock that we know today. Rocket 88 by Jackie Brenston was recorded at Sun Studio with Ike Turner's band in 1951 and is widely considered to be the first rock and roll song made.
Sun Studio's motto was: "We Record Anything, Anywhere, Anytime." He helped promote such legends as B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rufus Thomas, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and many others.
In a 1993 interview with National Public Radio, Phillips said, "Beale Street convinced me that with the talent coming out of the Delta, especially (of black artists), I really wanted to do something with that talent because I was very close to it all of my life."
According to Schorr, it is music that draws people to Memphis, and those interested in music should come to Sun Studio because "Sun portrays the best of music that came from Memphis."
