Phillips, Sam, 1923-2003

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Samuel Cornelius Phillips (January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003) was an American 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, launching the career of Presley. In 1969, he sold Sun to Shelby Singleton.

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.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Center for Popular Music Vertical Files Center for Popular Music, Middle Tennessee State University
referencedIn Colin Escott Collection Center for Popular Music, Middle Tennessee State University
referencedIn Stephen Lacy Collection (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Library and Archives). Stephen Lacy Collection, 1957-1984, undated Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Cash, Johnny, 1932-2003 person
associatedWith Howlin' Wolf, 1910-1976 person
associatedWith Lewis, Jerry Lee person
associatedWith Orbison, Roy person
associatedWith Perkins, Carl, 1932-1998 person
associatedWith Presley, Elvis, 1935-1977 person
associatedWith Singleton, Shelby person
creatorOf Sun records corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Memphis TN US
Florence AL US
Subject
Occupation
Radio broadcasters
Record Executive
Sound recording executives and producers
Activity

Person

Birth 1923-01-05

Death 2003-07-30

Americans

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 14830350