MAMAS BOY

You would never have thought, in 1953, when a truck driver for Crown Electric in Memphis, TN wandered into Sun Records on his lunch hour to record two songs as a birthday present for his mother, that he would become a legend. Even Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, was unimpressed.

In July 1954, Elvis was in the studio singing That’s Alright Mama. Phillips, finally recognizing the potential, knew he had the breakthrough star he had been searching for. Specifically, Phillips had found an attractive white young man who had the sound and feel of the black R&B artists he had been recording.

Elvis joined Sun Records and what would come to be called Sun’s “Million Dollar Quartet” - the foursome of Jerry Lee Lewis , Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Presley.

By 1955 Elvis had recorded 5 songs for Sun Records and gained some popularity in the South. He also acquired as manager, Col. Tom Parker. Givng Parker his due - the man knew how to market new stars. Parker launched a campaign aimed at garnishing national exposure for Elvis.