YOU’VE heard names like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison but the man who made them famous is relatively unknown.
Sam Phillips was Sun Record Company’s owner and producer and was the man who discovered these and other rising stars.
Sun Rising – The Songs That Made Memphis relives the amazing music and classic stories of the iconic label’s early years on stage.
The brainchild of Damon Smith and David Cosma, who are musicians in their own right, the performance pays homage to Phillips.
This is the second time the show has been to Mandurah, and Cosma said they are returning with new songs and stories.
They share a deep affection for the music of Sun Records; in particular Cosma with Elvis and Smith with Jerry Lee Lewis.
They both wanted to tell the amazing story of Sun Records, hence the show was born.
“It’s a story where 60 years later, you still hear all of these names which came out of this one-man studio,” Cosma said. “We tell the stories of how all these stars were discovered. Sam Phillips had a knack of just picking them.”
Attesting to the show’s authenticity, Phillips’ son and granddaughter, Jerry and Haley Phillips, have praised Sun Rising for keeping the legacy alive.
“We really appreciate what Sun Rising is doing with continuing the legacy of Sam Phillips and Sun Records,” they said. “It's really important that the world and in particular young people, know the influence that the music had.”
The show walks the audience through a chronological tour of Memphis’ famed Sun Records, focusing on the early period of 1950-57.
Cosma has always been fascinated with the 1950s, and in particular Elvis, so it makes sense that he co-created this side project.
“[Phillips] certainly put Elvis on the map and a lot of the other artists followed his trail,” he said. “At this point he had this raw talent and authenticity and he was only 18 years old at this point. From this starting point he became the biggest entertainer of all time.”
Sun Rising – The Songs That Made Memphis will be on stage at 8pm on March 28 at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.
For more information go to manpac.com.au or sunrisingaustralia.com.au
