Sam Phillips (record producer)

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Sam Phillips (record producer)

Role / Field:

Pioneer of rock and roll; founder of Sun Records and Memphis music scene.

Born:

1923-01-05

Died:

2003-07-30

Century / Era:

1923s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Samuel Cornelius Phillips (January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003) was an American disc jockey, songwriter, and record producer. He was the founder of Sun Records and Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where he produced recordings by Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Howlin' Wolf. Phillips played a major role in the development of rock and roll during the 1950s, including launching Presley's career. In 1969, he sold Sun to Shelby Singleton.

Key Developments & Impact

Phillips was the owner and operator of radio stations in Memphis; Florence, Alabama; and Lake Worth Beach, Florida. He was also an early investor in the Holiday Inn chain of hotels and an advocate for racial equality, helping to break down racial barriers in the music industry. Phillips was the youngest of eight children, born on a 200-acre farm near Florence, Alabama, to Madge Ella (née Lovelace) and Charles Tucker Phillips. Sam's parents owned their farm, though it was mortgaged. As a child, he picked cotton in the fields with his parents alongside black laborers.

Enduring Legacy

The experience of hearing black laborers singing in the fields left a big impression on the young Phillips. Traveling through Memphis...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1923 (1923-01-05): Birth of Sam Phillips (record producer) — Pioneer of rock and roll; founder of Sun Records and Memphis music scene.
2. 1969: 1969 Milestone — In 1969, he sold Sun to Shelby Singleton.
3. 2003 (2003-07-30): Passing & Historical Legacy — Sam Phillips (record producer) passed away on 2003-07-30, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Sam Phillips (record producer)

True or False: “Sam Phillips was primarily known for his work in the jazz genre during the 1940s.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was active in the music industry, Sam Phillips played a major role in the development and launching of rock and roll during the 1950s.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Spelling — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Alan Shepard — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American astronaut, second in space and first American on the Moon.
• Alden W. Clausen — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): American businessman, former President of the World Bank and Bank of America CEO.
• Alberto Sordi — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Althea Gibson — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Pioneering American tennis and golf star who broke racial barriers in sports.
• Anita Mui — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Iconic 'Queen of Cantopop' singer and actress from Hong Kong.
• Aldrich Ames — Shared historical date (01-05 · Died) (2026): American CIA analyst and notorious Soviet spy convicted of espionage.
• Alfred Brendel — Shared historical date (01-05 · Born) (1931): Czech-born Austrian pianist, composer, and scholar renowned for Beethoven.
• Andrew Strominger — Shared historical date (07-30 · Born) (1955): American theoretical physicist specializing in quantum gravity and string theory.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger — Shared historical date (07-30 · Born) (1947): Iconic Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, and politician.
• 1923 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1923
• January 5 (01-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 5
• 2003 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2003
• July 30 (07-30) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 30

Frequently Asked Questions about Sam Phillips (record producer)