Million Dollar Quartet
Friday night, Anon and I went to see the Million Dollar Quartet, a musical put on by the Village Theatre (a NW outfit, I think). The setting was Sun Records on December 4, 1956 when a chance meeting/recording of Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis took place. The actors/musicians did a great job. Carl and Jerry were particularly good. The script worked its way through the beginnings of Rock ‘n Roll, religious feelings at the time about Rock ‘n Roll, the commercialization of Rock ‘n Roll, and of course the personalities of these four innovators.
What I didn’t realize was that these four (and Roy Orbison) all came through Sun Records. I only knew about Elvis. Another thought that went through my head: I wonder if the piano setup has to be special for a Jerry Lee Lewis performance. He pounded the hell out of that thing.
If this musical comes to your town, you should go see it.
November 18th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
PBS did definitive story of Sun Records a while back, maybe a year or more back. Sun ended up in some dark places before the end. If you get the chance etc.
November 18th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Jerry was indeed on it. He had it down including sitting on the piano and playing with his feet…just like old jerry.
November 18th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I own CDs of Jerry Lee Lewis & Carl Perkins entitled “The Sun Sessions”.
Also, a somewhat rare LP of Elvis Sun sessions.Good stuff.
I saw Jerry Lee twice during his heyday in the fifties. He pounded the hell out of a very beat up piano. Looking back, one my favorite live shows I’ve attended, which include George Harrison, King Crimson, Traffic, Moody Blues, Yes, Genesis, Frank Zappa, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, Steve Miller Band, Allman Brothers, Badfinger, Eagles, Kinks, Neil Young, CSN, Jethro Tull, etc. in their heyday. All in the early 70’s.
I would love to see the musical. I doubt very seriously if it will make its way to the sticks.
Good post, jek.
November 18th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Sounds like a good time to be had by all. I would absolutely love to see this show, That rare recording of that day is one of rock and roll’s crowning achievements. I would also suggest if one ever find themselves in Memphis to go through the Sun Studio tour.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:17 am
Great Post….. Sounds like something to see, but, as Sunn stated I doubt if it ever makes it to the “Sticks”, as in Oklahoma…..