Died. Sam Phillips,
80, godfather of rock 'n' roll who launched the careers of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison; in Memphis. Working at a time of deep racial divides in the American south, Phillips recorded black and white artists alike, and his Sun Records studio in Memphis was a crucible for melding R. and B. with country-and-western music. In 1951 he produced Rocket 88, often called the first rock-and-roll single, performed by Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm. Sun released Elvis Presley's first five singles, including That's All Right, before Phillips sold the singer's contract...
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