The label was launched amid a growing number of independent labels. One of the most important figures in the history of rock, Sam Phillips has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Blues Music Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, R&B Foundation Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Radio Hall of Fame, and Memphis Music Hall of Fame. One of Johnny Cash’s signature songs, Folsom Prison Blues, appeared on his debut album.Ī live version that was recorded in front of an audience of inmates at Folsom State Prison became a number one hit in 1968. After writing the song, a conversation with label-mate Carl Perkins, whose Platinum certified song Blue Suede Shoes is also included in the acquisition, steered Cash to name the then untitled song, I Walk the Line. It remained on the charts for over 43 weeks and sold two million copies. Multiple Johnny Cash recordings are also a part of the acquisition including I Walk the Line and Folsom Prison Blues.Ĭash’s first No.1 in the United States was I Walk the Line. “We are extremely pleased to pass the Sun Records baton to Primary Wave and are confident that they will continue to reach new heights for the crown jewel of the music business created by Sam Phillips, which my brother, Shelby, and I have kept alive and relevant for the past 50 years.” Great Balls of Fire was a huge success for Sun and Jerry Lee Lewis, selling a million copies within a week of it being released. Upon the release of Whole Lot of Shaking Goin’ On, the song soared to No.3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and made Lewis an instant sensation. Recordings included in the deal are some well-known tracks that came out of Sun Records such as the Jerry Lee Lewis classic In the Mood, as well his smash hits Whole Lot of Shaking Goin’ On and Great Balls of Fire. Phillips rented a small space at 706 Union Avenue for his own all-purpose studio. Sun was founded when Sam Phillips launched the record company in February of 1952.

Sun records