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Biography
Few of rock & roll’s founding figures are as likable as Rufus Thomas. From the 1940s onward, he has personified Memphis music; his small but witty cameo role in Jim Jarmusch’s Mystery Train, a film which satirizes and enshrines the city’s role in popular culture, was entirely appropriate. As a recording artist, he wasn’t a major innovator, but he could always be depended upon for some good, silly, and/or outrageous fun with his soul dance tunes. He was one of the few rock or soul stars to reach his commercial and artistic peak in middle age, and was a crucial mentor to many important Memphis blues, rock, and soul musicians.

Biography
Willie Nix was an innovative drummer and gifted lyricist as well as vocalist, and was an integral part of Memphis’s Beale Street blues community during the late forties and early fifties. Nix originally began performing as a tap-dancer when he was very young — his creative sense of rhythm as a drummer likely had its roots in his instincts as a dancer. Nix recorded and played in both Memphis and Chicago, and worked with legendary bluesmen in both cities, among them Junior Parker, B.B. King, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Bobby Blue Bland. Nix eventually moved back to Memphis and continued to be a local fixture in the blues community. He performed on and off until his death in 1991.

This month marks a monumental occasion in the history of Rock & Roll. The King, Elvis Presley, was born on January 8th, 1935. Not only do we remember his birth, celebrate his life along with all the achievements and great music he brought us, but we also celebrate his death and how it has made all his contributions that much more special.

That ‘Sun Sound’ you know and love isn’t just a thing of the past. Rockabilly up-and-comer, Chris Isaak, has released an album filled with legendary songs of Sun Records artists, as well as a few of his own. “The ’50s was a pretty wonderful time for people, it was hopeful,” says Isaak. “But I didn’t record this new album out of nostalgia.” Rather, in recording this classic retro sound, Isaak is paying tribute to his modest childhood in Stockton, California. Thanks to his parent’s record collection, his childhood is where he was introduced to all of the Sun Records greats.

On this day two years ago, Sun Records President, Shelby Singleton, died of cancer at the age of 77. He is best known for his purchase of Sun Records in 1969 and subsequent marketing of the label and its legacy.

If you haven’t heard already, legendary bassist of Johnny Cash’s original trio, Marshall Grant, recently died at the age of 83. Grant not only helped Cash create the distinctive rhythmic sound as half of The Tennessee Two, but also later tour managed for Johnny Cash. Marshall Grant was the last surviving member of the trio and will surely be missed.

Last week we lost another great Sun Records artist. Wiley Laverne “Mack” Self, 81, died Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at his home. He’s a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and will truly be missed.

This Saturday is Record Store Day and if you live in Nashville you’re lucky enough to have a chance to see the great Jerry Lee Lewis perform live! Third Man Records is putting on the special event, and it will be recorded to analog tape. You can find more information at their website.

Billy Terrell’s Premium Music Solutions brings a unique, interactive experience to the worldwide digital marketplace. Premium’s online Music Hall went live this week and features the film Temples of Rock, a video journey to the landmarks of rock ‘n roll. The legendary Sun Studio in Memphis is featured along with CBGB’s in NYC, The Cavern in Liverpool England, Filmore East, Filmore West, and the Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles. Visit the Music Hall to watch the feature on Sun Studios!

Another highly influential artist, Sir Tom Jones, will be honored with the annual Music Industry Trusts Award this year. Attendees of this charity event will receive a compilation CD of songs personally chosen by Tom, two of which are Sun Records Artists. Among others, Johnny Adams’ “Reconsider Me” and Little Junior’s Blue Flames’ “Feelin’ Good” are songs that mean a lot to Tom.