Remembering Sam Phillips on the 11th Anniversary of his passing - July 30th, 2003

Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville is remembering Sun Records Founder, Sam Phillips today on the 11th Anniversary of his passing. 

Born Samuel Cornelius Phillips in Florence, Alabama on January 5th 1923, Mr. Phillips passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on July 30th 2003 at the age of 80 years old. His death occurred only one day before Sun Studio was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Sam Phillips is credited with discovering Elvis Presley. Phillips also helped launched the careers of Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. Phillips first began his career as a radio station engineer and then became a disc jockey. On January 3, 1950 he established the Memphis Recording Service at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis.

"God only knows we didn't know it would have the response it would have. But I always knew the rebellion of young people, which is as natural as breathing, would be a part of that breakthrough."
- Sam Phillips, a quote from a 1997 interview