For a little bit of musical trivia, when Johnny Money recorded “Folsom Jail Blues” on July 30, 1955, he couldn’t afford a backup drummer.
As a substitute, Money used what merchandise to create that particular sound of a snare drum on his tune?
If you understand the reply, you could be a faithful Johnny Money fan. Otherwise you may need visited Solar Studio in Memphis the place the up-and-coming singer as soon as recorded, together with his hit “Folsom Jail Blues.”
The reply?
“In these early days, Johnny Money would slip a greenback invoice between his guitar strings to dampen them, producing a mushy, rhythmic sound as a substitute of harmonic chords,” says Solar Studio information Daniel, who picked up a guitar and demonstrated how the greenback invoice labored.
Because it was an attractive day in Memphis, I walked to Solar Studio from the Peabody Resort the place I used to be staying. That’s one other benefit of staying on the Peabody on an American Queen pre-cruise journey. The Peabody is across the nook from well-known Beale Avenue and inside walkable – or an inexpensive Uber journey – to many Memphis sights.
Solar Studio is small so the variety of individuals on a tour is stored to a minimal of about 25. Whereas I waited for my tour, I noticed a pair dozen guests turned away as a result of excursions have been already full. Make sure you get there early and know that you just may need to attend.
Espresso and sodas are bought on the counter. A present store gives T-shirts, jackets, CDs and different souvenirs. Picnic tables outdoors are a snug place to chill out and wait.
8 Night time – Memphis to St. Louis – American Queen
Wealth of musical memorabilia
For my Solar Studio tour, we climbed the slim stairs to a cave-like room full of musical memorabilia in wall-to-wall glass exhibit circumstances. Search for a Humes Excessive College yearbook with a photograph of younger Elvis.
One exhibit homes unique WHBQ radio station tools, together with the desk the place disc jockey Dewey Phillips launched Elvis to Memphis airwaves listeners. Dewey was the primary to play Elvis’ first file and the primary to interview the younger singer on air.
Dewey’s approval of a tune was a significant increase. If he didn’t like a tune the primary time he performed it, Dewey would smash the file in opposition to the nook of his desk to point out that he was by no means going to play it once more. A damaged file within the exhibit illustrates that.
Then Daniel performed a tune by Jackie Brenson & His Delta Cats, together with Ike Turner. Whereas we listened, Daniel famous the unmistakable origins of rock ‘n’ roll. What occurred, Daniel says, was that again in March 5, 1951, Jackie, Ike and the band got here to file at Solar Studio.
However they by chance broke the speaker cone for guitarist Willie Kizart’s amp. With out funds or time for a substitute, they stuffed the damaged cone with newspapers. The end result was a distorted sound. Sam Phillips favored the bizarre sound a lot he amplified it to file “Rocket 88.”
Sam later stated that file had a raucous, unbridled energetic sound that signaled what was to return.
The Million Greenback Quartet occurred when 4 entertainers stopped by Solar Studio for an impromptu jam.
Elvis makes first recording
When 18-year-old Elvis Presley walked into Solar Studio for the primary time, he was requested who he gave the impression of. His reply, “I don’t sound like no person.”
When he sang, “That’s all proper, momma,” listeners agreed. Solar Studio grew to become often called the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll.
On July 5, 1954, Presley recorded his first single, “That’s All Proper.” Solar Studio has modified little by means of the years. It has the identical acoustic ceiling, the unique lights and the previous ground that so many legends as soon as trod — Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Money, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison, amongst others.
Radio engineer Sam Phillips began the Solar Label in 1952 and shared his tiny workplace along with his secretary Marion Keisker. Legend has it that Marion is the one who was working when a younger Elvis plopped down $4 to make his first recording.
On a sizzling summer season day in 1953, a shy Elvis stopped by the studio to make a recording of “My Happiness.” Native lore says the recording was meant as a birthday current for his mom. Extra seemingly, tour information Daniel says, the teenager hoped to be found. He was craving for stardom.
And that’s precisely what he discovered — greater than anybody might ever dream.
Tour information Daniel demonstrates how Johnny Money used a greenback invoice for a drum sound in his guitar.
Marion Keisker hears expertise in Elvis
On the time, Elvis was delivering electrical home equipment for Crown Electrical. “He most likely stopped by right here whereas he was out delivering or perhaps after work,” Daniel says. “Crown Electrical was lower than a mile from right here so it was straightforward for Elvis to return by.”
Nonetheless, Solar Studio proprietor Sam Phillips was not thrilled by what he heard on Elvis’ recording. It took urging from Marion for Sam to even take an opportunity on recording Elvis for a brand new sound Sam was searching for.
“Fact be informed, it was Marion Keisker who first recorded Elvis. And it was Marion Keisker who found Elvis,” Daniel says.
Because the story goes, Sam relented and had Elvis in for a recording session. Nevertheless it didn’t go properly. Sam was about to present Elvis the dangerous information that the younger singer simply didn’t have it.
First, Sam took a break. That’s when Elvis and fellow musicians, Invoice Black and Scotty Moore, began messing round, bouncing music off the Solar Studio partitions.
The end result was pure gold.
Guests take photographs with an previous Elvis microphone.
Nonetheless a recording studio
With out Solar Studio, would Elvis have made that first recording? Would somebody have observed his expertise and given him an opportunity?
“Who is aware of?” Daniel solutions. “If Marion hadn’t stored encouraging Sam to pay attention. If Elvis and the musicians hadn’t begun taking part in round after they weren’t being recorded. If Sam hadn’t realized what he heard in younger Elvis.”
The end result was magic. Even at the moment, when Daniel performs that early recording, it’s straightforward to grasp why musicians nonetheless file within the historic studio – U2, Def Leppard, John Mellencamp – and why individuals nonetheless flock to Solar Studio, take the excursions and pose for cellphone photographs clutching an old-timey Elvis microphone in tiny Solar Studio.
When Bob Dylan visited the studio, it’s stated he knelt and kissed the X mark on the ground the place Elvis stood to file.
“Historical past was made right here,” Daniel concludes. “Whenever you stand on this ground, you stand on sacred floor.”
Reproduction of DJ Dewey Phillips’ WHBQ radio studio.
X marks the spot the place Elvis stood to file in Solar Studio.
Photographs by Jackie Sheckler Finch
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