PERFORMING ARTS

The Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll: The Illustrated Story of Sun Records and the 70 Recordings That Changed the World

Weldon Owen. Nov. 2022. 256p. ISBN 9781681888965. $60. MUSIC
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Guralnick (Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley) and Escott (Good Rockin’ Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll) have crafted a must-have volume chronicling the history of Sun Records since its inception in 1952. Behind the vision of what the label would become is the parallel story of its founder, Sam Phillips, and his determined quest for talent, eccentricity, or in his own words, “individualism in the extreme.” Opening with a foreword by Jerry Lee Lewis and ending with a touching afterword written by Knox Phillips (Sam’s son), the reader is offered a unique and engaging peek into an era of legendary artistic value, including names like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Ray Smith, Billy Adams, and many more.
VERDICT This beautifully designed book will captivate readers with a magnetic combination of storytelling, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and a stellar array of photographs portraying the many acclaimed artists that came to be associated with Sun Records. Unmissable and transcending time, this is the ultimate rock ’n’ roll handbook.
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