This morning started off with.......shopping? Susan wanted to see if there were any treasures in some of the used clothing or consignment stores. The answer, after 4 stores were disappointing. Most had, as I say, shoe shine quality clothing! The one find was a cool consignment store with 1960s furniture and collectibles. It was quite cool to see the items displayed that many of us grew up with, but millennials dont know existed.
After a bit of cruising around, we went to Sun Studios. For those that dont know, this was the recording studio that actual invented "Rock and Roll".
It was started by Sam Phillips in 1950. To make a go of it, he had a portable vinyl recording machine, and went to weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and conventions. He also had a passion for gospel/ blues and started recording some of the local artists. He found a band, Jackie Brenton and the Delta cats, and cut a single called Rocket 88. Ike Turner was on the keyboard for that song, which was their first hit. Then came one of Sams favorite musicians, Howlin Wolf. His trademark was carrying a live Rooster to all his sessions. They did so well together, that the Rooster was added to the Sun label.
In 1954 a young man called Elvis walked in and asked to buy some recording time. Sam was out, but his office manager, a lady, said sure. He recorded a ballad, paid his $4.00 and walked out. The secretary cut a second disc for Sam. ...He hated it! He was on the the cutting edge of Rhythm & Blues, and had no time for Ballad singers. Elvis went on to do a few talent competitions, and kept coming back to try different sounds that might sell. As he told the secretary, when asked who he sounded like: I dont sound like No-one! Sam wanted a white singer that could sing R&B. He hired 2 musicians to play with Elvis and try a few things out. They recorded for 8 hours with no success. All of a sudden Elvis started acting crazy, grabbing the mike, swaying his hips, and belting out " Thats all right"! Sam jumped up and screamed, Thats It! Rock and Roll was born. They rushed the single down to the local radio station, that played it 15 times that night. The next days all the phone lines lit up with other D Js asking for the single. Elvis stardom was born!
Hard to top that afternoon at Sun Studios, but I had heard that the Memphis Bass Pro shop was a Must See. Susan rolled her eyes at me but was a trooper. Then we rolled up to this massive pyramid, complete with hotel, 6 restaurants, alligator pools, massive aquariums, and clothing covering acres. We did not purchase anything as we are leaving for home tomorrow, but it was definitely a cool place to wander around.

The picture is where the million dollar 4 stood on that famous December day. Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins And Jerry Lee Lewis bumped into each other in the Sun Studio, and had an impromptu jam. This was the piano, and exact location it happened. Gives you chills being there. More photos in Gallery.