Happy Birthday Sam C. Phillips!

The world would be a different place if Samuel Cornelius Phillips had not been around.



Sam Phillips, Elvis Presley at Sam's house - April 1957

Phillips was born on January 5, 1923. He was America's true "Uncle Sam."

Rock on, Sam.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Phillips
http://www.sunrecords.com/news/happy-birthday-to-sam-phillips

Hapy birthday, Sam! History of the second half of the 20th century would have been a little more empty without you! You produced the music and the sound I love by heart!
I will never forget the moment I met you in Memphis in 1996! Thanx for the memories, happy birthday and rest in peace!

O.S.

P.S.: Thanks Doc, for remembering Sam´s birthday! I always enjoy your topics and what you´re writing!

very cool photo.

Celebrated Sam yesterday in Florence, Al. With Jerry Phillips (one of Sam's sons)and his family. It was an honor to do that. Saw some cool Phillips sights. What the music world needs is another Sam Phillips!

Henrik - www.elvisunlimited.com

Hi Henrik! That´s really cool! Sam was one of the real heros of pop music! Without him no Elvis! Without Elvis no Buddy Holly and no Beatles! Without no Beatles... Imagine your youth without no Rock´n Roll...

O.S.

Yes,a real musical innovator and visionary.We are all indebted to Mr Phillips not just
for Elvis of course but for a great legacy.

norrie

Celebrated Sam yesterday in Florence, Al. With Jerry Phillips (one of Sam's sons)and his family. It was an honor to do that. Saw some cool Phillips sights. What the music world needs is another Sam Phillips!

Is there any possibility that Sam squirreled away any SUN acetates? They'd be in Jerry or Knox's possession now. Acetates represent one of the only places where we might find anything more on Elvis from the SUN era.

Sam was one of the real heroes of pop music! Without him no Elvis! Without Elvis no Buddy Holly and no Beatles! Without no Beatles... Imagine your youth without no Rock´n Roll...

Sam was responsible for launching or fostering many artists and landmark recordings:

Howlin' Wolf
Little Milton
B.B. King
Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm (aka Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats - "Rocket 88")
Rufus Thomas ("Tiger Man")
Little Junior & the Blue Flames ("Mystery Train," "Feelin' Good")
James Cotton
The Prisonaires
Billy "the Kid" Emerson ("Red Hot," "When It Rains, It Really Pours")
Elvis Presley
Carl Perkins
Johnny Cash
Jerry Lee Lewis
Billy Lee Riley
Roy Orbison
Charlie Rich

Listen to some of the recordings these people made and you'll understand what Sam meant when recalled working at 706 Union with Howlin' Wolf:

This is where the soul of man never dies.

Thank you, Sam.

One of my heroes.....on our recent trip to Memphis we visited Sam's resting place....surprised to see such an understated grave...just his name and the two years....

Great man!

This poster adorns the wall outside the Gibson Guitar Factory in Memphis......

Sam looks like Colonel Walter E. Kurtz in that banner ...

Arise Sir Sam.

We hail you sir!

People like Sam Phillips, should NEVER be forgotten. RIP Sam.

He was a real hero. God bless him for encouraging so many talents. How a visionary man he was!