July 19th marks a pivotal moment in music history – the 70th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s recording debut. In 1954, the iconic Sun Records label in Memphis, Tennessee, released “That’s All Right,” the single that launched the career of the man who would become known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This release wasn’t just the beginning of a legend; it was a fusion of musical styles that would forever change the landscape of popular music.
The Genesis of a Hit: “That’s All Right”
The song “That’s All Right” was originally written and recorded in 1946 by the Delta blues singer-songwriter Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. It was on July 5, 1954, that a 19-year-old Elvis Presley, accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, laid down their groundbreaking version. Presley had been introduced to Moore by Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records. Phillips, having previously used Elvis as a session singer on a demo, recognized the young artist’s raw potential and believed he could form a compelling musical unit with Moore and Black.
A Fateful Recording Session
The trio, having rehearsed on July 4th, returned to the Sun studio the following night with a repertoire of ballads. However, during a break, Presley spontaneously began singing an impromptu rendition of “That’s All Right,” with Moore and Black quickly joining in. It was during this unplanned moment that Presley unleashed a unique vocal style he had never employed before. As quoted in the liner notes of the A Boy from Tupelo box set, Presley recalled, “I never sang like that in my life, until I made that first record. … I remember that song because I heard Arthur sing it, and I thought I would like to try it. That was it.” Sam Phillips, captivated by the energy of this impromptu performance, encouraged them to record a more polished version.
Local Buzz and “Blue Moon of Kentucky”
Phillips, recognizing the potential of the recording, presented it to local DJ Dewey Phillips (no relation), who played the track on his WHBQ radio station on July 8th. The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading to Presley being invited for an interview at the station that very same night. With a potential hit on their hands, Phillips brought the musicians back to the Sun studio to record a B-side. During this session, Black started experimenting with a faster-paced rendition of Bill Monroe’s bluegrass classic, “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Presley’s enthusiastic vocals and acoustic guitar accompaniment transformed the song, providing the perfect B-side.
The Release and the Dawn of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Sun Records officially released “That’s All Right,” with “Blue Moon of Kentucky” as the B-side, on July 19, 1954. The combination of country and blues elements within these two songs created the foundational sound of early rock ‘n’ roll. “That’s All Right” quickly became a regional hit, resonating with audiences in Arkansas, Mississippi, and New Orleans. This release marked the beginning of Elvis Presley’s meteoric rise to superstardom, forever etching his name in the annals of music history.
References
- American Songwriter. (1954, July 19). On This Day in 1954, Elvis Presley’s First Single “That’s All Right” Was Released by Sun Records. American Songwriter. Retrieved from https://americansongwriter.com/on-this-day-in-1954-elvis-presleys-first-single-thats-all-right-was-released-by-sun-records/