The writers of a hit Broadway musical would have you add December 4, 1956 to that list. That is the day that four future stars jammed in a small recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
The musical is called Million Dollar Quartet and it celebrates the true life events that led to Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all performing one night and one night only at the Sun Records Studio. According to Phillips, the December 4th recording session was reserved for Carl Perkins and he invited Lewis to play piano. Elvis unexpectedly stopped in at the studio and Phillips called Johnny Cash to complete the one night quartet.
The Tony Award winning musical is a combination concert and history lesson as the audience is transported back to the small storefront recording studio operated by Sam Phillips.
Phillips, a popular DJ in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, moved to Memphis in 1950 and opened the Memphis Recording Service. He embraced the mix of blues and country music that musicians brought to his studio and started Sun Records in 1952. He is best known for launching the careers of the million dollar quartet members but he also is credited for recording the first rock and roll record in 1951; a number called Rocket 88 by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats.
The Million Dollar Quartet musical tells the story of that famous night and offers some insight into the personalities of the musicians but the storyline frequently steps aside for the music. Popular hits such as Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Whole Lot of Shakin’ and Folsom Prison Blues are incorporated into the show. In all, audiences are treated to twenty-one early hits by Cash, Perkins, Lewis and Presley.
In the style of Jersey Boys, the show’s four stars are first class vocalists and actors who keep the show from becoming just a musical revue. They are also accomplished musicians that capture the style of those early Sun Record days.
While much has been written about the four music pioneers portrayed in the musical, Sam Phillips was the man who recognized the talent and taught his artists how to make hit records. They all moved on to successful careers away from Sun Records but for one night the stars aligned over 706 Union Avenue in Memphis and the Million Dollar Quartet gives you a front row seat.
Million Dollar Quartet is playing at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas as part of the Dallas Summer Musical Series. The show runs through March 18. For ticket information visit http://www.dallassummermusicals.org/ or call the DSM ticket office at 214-691-7200.
