July 31, 2003 9:26
ROCK 'N" ROLL PIONEER SAM PHILLIPS DIES
The man who discovered Elvis passes away aged 80...
Music industry legend and rock 'n' roll pioneer SAM PHILLIPS - the man responsible for launching Elvis Presley - has died at the age of 80.
The Sun Records founder died of respiratory failure at Memphis' St. Francis Hospital. yesterday (July 30), his spokesperson Gwendolyn McClain said.
Phillips founded Sun Records in 1952. He produced 'That's All Right, Mama' and 'Blue Moon Of Kentucky' for Elvis Presley in 1954, but sold his recording contract to RCA two years later for a meagre $35,000.
Phillips was also a local DJ and, prior to selling Sun Records> in 1969, he worked with legends such as B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins.
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