
Elvis Presley's first hit goes under the hammer for $88,000
March 25, 2013
An original version of Elvis Presley's first ever radio hit, "That's All Right" has sold at auction for $88,000.
The 78rpm was recorded on July 5, 1954, by a young and unknown Presley, who had walked into the offices of Sun Records and the Memphis Recording Service in Memphis, Tennessee, owned by Sam Phillips. It is the only known surviving promotional copy of his first commercial recording and is considered to be one of the most important foundation stones of rock and roll. He sang a fast version of That's All Right (Mama) by Arthur Crudup which Philips recorded on an acetate record and sent to a local radio station disc jockey, who agreed to play it.
The acetate record of The King's 1954 track went under the hammer at Whyte's auctioneers in Dublin, Ireland, on Sunday, alongside Buddy Holly, Van Morrison and U2 memorabilia.
Whyte said it was the first time Presley had hit the airwaves and the station was inundated with phone calls and reportedly had to play it over 14 times during the course of the show.
The record sold to an Internet bidder for a staggering $88,000.
Other Elvis highlights in the sale included a watch gifted by Elvis to his manager, one of his famous Taking Care of Business pendants and autographs.
Auction house boss Ian Whyte says, "I am delighted the sale went extremely well. There was huge interest. It is the first ever pop and rock sale in Ireland, and I hope it won't be the last."
source: music.msn.com and elvismatters.com
March 25, 2013
An original version of Elvis Presley's first ever radio hit, "That's All Right" has sold at auction for $88,000.
The 78rpm was recorded on July 5, 1954, by a young and unknown Presley, who had walked into the offices of Sun Records and the Memphis Recording Service in Memphis, Tennessee, owned by Sam Phillips. It is the only known surviving promotional copy of his first commercial recording and is considered to be one of the most important foundation stones of rock and roll. He sang a fast version of That's All Right (Mama) by Arthur Crudup which Philips recorded on an acetate record and sent to a local radio station disc jockey, who agreed to play it.
The acetate record of The King's 1954 track went under the hammer at Whyte's auctioneers in Dublin, Ireland, on Sunday, alongside Buddy Holly, Van Morrison and U2 memorabilia.
Whyte said it was the first time Presley had hit the airwaves and the station was inundated with phone calls and reportedly had to play it over 14 times during the course of the show.
The record sold to an Internet bidder for a staggering $88,000.
Other Elvis highlights in the sale included a watch gifted by Elvis to his manager, one of his famous Taking Care of Business pendants and autographs.
Auction house boss Ian Whyte says, "I am delighted the sale went extremely well. There was huge interest. It is the first ever pop and rock sale in Ireland, and I hope it won't be the last."
source: music.msn.com and elvismatters.com