60 Year's of Rock 'n' Roll Artists
Elvis Presley's Memphis Grand Opening Celebration
60 Years of Rock 'n' Roll Artists
In honor of 60 Years of Rock 'n' Roll , Elvis Presley's Graceland will honor 60 artists each day who have been inspired by Elvis or have helped shape music and pop culture. The 60-day countdown will end with a world-wide celebration in Memphis on July 5 - the day Elvis Presley, Bill Black and Scotty Moore walked into Sam Phillips' Sun Studio and recorded "That's All Right.
July 5, 2014
Sun Studio
Sun Studio was born to capture the pure raw energy of Beale Street. The owner Sam Phillips was a self-taught producer who helped transform music for generations to come. Originally called Memphis Recording Service, Sun Studio opened at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 3, 1950. Rock 'n' roll, country music, and rockabilly artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Charlie Feathers, Ray Harris, Warren Smith, Charlie Rich, and Jerry Lee Lewis all began their careers inside this studio. On July 4, 1954, 19-year-old Elvis Presley recorded “That’s All Right” with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. DJ Dewey Phillips played the song on July 8 on WHBQ radio and the switchboard lit up. Rock ‘n’ Roll was born and the music world changed forever.
July 4, 2014
Stax Records
Stax Records, originally named Satellite Records, was founded in Memphis in 1957 by Jim Stewart. Satellite's early releases were country music, rockabilly records or straight pop numbers. Stewart was later introduced to rhythm and blues by fellow Memphian and staff producer Chips Moman, who later founded American Sound Studio. Stax featured several popular ethnically-integrated bands, including the label's house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and an integrated black and white team of staff and artists unheard of in that time of racial strife and tension in Memphis and the South. In 15 years, Stax placed more than 167 hit songs in the Top 100 on the pop charts, and a staggering 243 hits in the Top 100 R&B charts. It launched the careers of such legendary artists as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Rufus & Carla Thomas, Booker T, & the MGs and numerous others.
July 3, 2014
American Sound Studio
American Sound Studio was a recording studio located at 827 Thomas Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Over 100 hit songs were recorded there between its founding in 1967 and its closing in 1972. Artists who recorded at American Sound Studio included Elvis Presley, Merrilee Rush, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, B. J. Thomas, Petula Clark, Joe Tex, Roy Hamilton and The Box Tops. The Memphis Boys were the house band and the music behind some of the greatest songs ever recorded.
July 2, 2014
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Distinguished by their use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, and elaborate live shows, they are one of the most commercially successful and musically influential groups in the history of popular music. With over 250 million records sold world-wide, Pink Floyd has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame.
July 1, 2014
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, dub, funk, and rockabilly. The Clash's politicized lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude had a far-reaching influence on rock and alternative rock. Their album  "London Calling," an ode to Elvis using the same imagery from his first album, is considered one of the most influential rock albums.  They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone ranked them number 28 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."
June 30, 2014
Bobby Womack
Bobby Womack was an American active singer-songwriter and musician recording artist since the early 1960s. He started his career as the lead singer of his family musical group The Valentinos and as Sam Cooke's backing guitarist. Womack's career spanned more than 50 years and spanned a repertoire in the styles of R&B, soul, rock and roll, doo-wop, gospel and country. Womack wrote and originally recorded the Rolling Stones' first UK No. 1 hit, "It's All Over Now" and New Birth's "I Can Understand It" among other songs. Womack worked at Chips Moman's American Studios in Memphis and played the guitar on several of Aretha Franklin's albums. He has received one Grammy award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
June 29, 2014
Booker T. & the M.G.'s
Memphis natives Booker T. & the M.G.'s were one of the first racially integrated rock groups. They were an instrumental R&B/funk band that was influential in shaping the sound of southern soul and Memphis music. The band was formed as the house band of Stax Records, providing backing music for a variety of singers such as Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. As originators of the unique Stax sound, the group was one of the most prolific, respected, and imitated of their era. The band has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame.
June 28, 2014
The Who
The Who are one of the most influential rock groups of the '60s and '70s. The group has been credited with originating the "rock opera" and making one of the first notable concept albums. Their contributions to rock iconography include the power chord, windmill strum, the Marshall Stack and the guitar smash. For much of their career they have been regarded as one of the most important British rock acts and one of the world's best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 100 million records. The Who have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the UK Music Hall of Fame and they have received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
June 27, 2014
Muddy Waters
Born in the Mississippi Delta, Muddy Waters was an American blues musician. He is considered the "father of modern Chicago blues" and was a major inspiration for the British explosion of the '60s. Muddy's sound was Delta blues electrified, but his use of micro-tones, in both his vocals and slide playing, made it extremely difficult to duplicate. Muddy Waters received six Grammy awards and five Blues Foundation Awards. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and has received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
June 26, 2014
Ray Charles
Ray Charles was an American singer-songwriter, musician and composer who fused rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings in the '50s. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the '60s with his crossover success. Ray Charles was one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. Like Elvis, the influences upon his music were mainly jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, and country artists of the day. Ray's version of "Georgia On My Mind" was made the official state song for Georgia. He was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and has been awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
June 25, 2014
The Ramones
The Ramones were an American punk rock band formed in New York City in the '70s. Despite achieving only limited commercial success, the band was a major influence on the punk rock movement in the United States and the United Kingdom. The band performed 2,263 concerts, touring virtually nonstop for 22 years. Despite limited commercial success, recognition of the band's importance built over the years, and they are now mentioned in many assessments of all-time great rock music, such as Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" and VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock." The Ramones have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the group was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
June 24, 2014
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin is one of the best-selling female artists of all time, having sold over 75 million records worldwide. She began her career, much like Elvis, singing gospel music in her church. Franklin's voice has been described as being a "powerful mezzo-soprano voice" and has been praised for her arrangements. Franklin has won a total of 18 Grammy Awards and was the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She's also been inducted in to the UK Music Hall of Fame and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Franklin is listed in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" and "100 Greatest Singers of All Time."
June 23, 2014
Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin was an American singer-songwriter who first rose to fame in the late 1960s as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company, and later as a solo artist. Joplin recorded four studio albums in her career. Her first two albums were recorded with and fully credited to Big Brother and the Holding Company and the later two being solo albums. She was one of the more popular acts at the Monterey Pop Festival and later became one of the major attractions to the Woodstock festival and the Festival Express train tour. Joplin charted five singles, and other popular songs from her four-year solo career including "Piece of My Heart", "Ball 'n' Chain", and her #1 hit, "Me and Bobby McGee." Rolling Stone ranked Joplin among the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" and "100 Greatest Singers of All Time." She has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
June 22, 2014
The Eagles
The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971. With five number-one singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and six number one albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the '70s. At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums, "Their Greatest Hits" and "Hotel California," were ranked among the 20 best-selling albums in the U.S. "Hotel California" is ranked 37th in Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time", and the band was ranked number 75 on the magazine's 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. With over 150 million records sold in the U.S. alone, they are the fifth-highest-selling music act and one of the highest-selling American bands. The group has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
June 21, 2014
Little Richard
Little Richard is an American recording artist, songwriter, and musician. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for over six decades. His most celebrated work dates from the mid 1950s where his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for rock 'n' roll. His music also had a pivotal impact on the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Recording Academy and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Legendary song "Tutti Frutti" has included in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.
June 20, 2014
Van Morrison
Van Morrison is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician whose records appear at the top of many greatest album lists. Much of Morrison's music is structured around the conventions of soul music and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl," "Domino," and "Wild Night." An equal part of his catalog consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys. Morrison has received considerable acclaim, including six Grammy Awards, the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, being inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and appearing on several "Greatest Artists" lists over the years.
June 19, 2014
Eric Clapton
Inspired by the explosion of rock 'n' roll in the late '50s, Eric Clapton became one of the most respected guitarist of all time. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.  Clapton is ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". Clapton has received 17 Grammy Awards and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
June 18, 2014
Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead is best known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia and space rock. The Grateful Dead has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide. Best known for being the original jam band, they are ranked in Rolling Stone's "Greatest Artists of All Time" and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and their Barton Hall Concert at Cornell University has been added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.
June 17, 2014
Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel were an American music duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They rose to fame in 1965 with the hit single "The Sound of Silence." Their music was featured in the landmark film "The Graduate," propelling them further into the public spotlight. Elvis later famously covered their "Bridge Over Trouble Water" which appeared on his "That's The Way It Is" album. From the very beginning of their fame, through the present, Simon and Garfunkel have had an impact on the popular culture with many references to them made in television, film, music and other aspects. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have won 10 Grammy awards. In 2003, the pair performed together for the first time in over a decade after receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
June 16, 2014
Casey Kasem
Casey Kasem was an American disc jockey and radio personality during the rise of rock 'n' roll. He is best known for being the host of "American Top 40," "American Top 20" and "American Top 10." Kasem founded the "American Top 40" franchise and hosted it through out his lifetime. Kasem has been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame radio division, National Radio Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also received the Radio Icon award at the Radio Music Awards in 2003.
June 15, 2014
Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley, known as The Originator, was an American R & B vocalist, guitarist and songwriter whow as instrumental in the transition from the blues to rock 'n' roll, influencing a host of acts, including Elvis Presley. He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged electric guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs, along with African rhythms and a signature beat that remains a cornerstone of hip hop, rock and pop. He was known in particular for his technical innovations, including his trademark rectangular guitar. Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and a Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
June 14, 2014
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California. They were among the most controversial, influential and unique rock acts of the '60s, mostly because of lead singer Jim Morrison's wild, poetic lyrics and charismatic but unpredictable stage persona. Oliver Stone’s 1990 film biography of the band, which ran for more than two hours, triggered another wave of Doors-mania. "The Best of the Doors," a double-disc compilation released in 1987, became the top-selling album of their career, having been certified nine times platinum. The Doors have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "Light My Fire" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and have received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.
June 13, 2014
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music. He expanded the range and vocabulary of the electric guitar into areas no musician had ever ventured before. Born in Seattle, Hendrix began playing guitar at 15-years-old after attending an Elvis Presley concert in 1957. Largely inspired by '50s rock 'n' roll, Hendrix went on to become one of the most celebrated entertainers in the world. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the UK Hall of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame and Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, among several Grammy awards.
June 12, 2014
Queen
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1970. The band has released 18 #1 albums, 18 #1 singles, and 10 #1 DVDs worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling music artists. Queen has sold over 150 million records, with some estimates in excess of 300 million records worldwide. The band has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The band is also the only group in which every member has composed more than one chart-topping single. In 2009, "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
June 11, 2014
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is the best-selling American rock band of all time, having sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, including 70.2 million albums in the United States alone. With 25 gold albums, 18 platinum albums and 12 multi-platinum albums, they hold the record for the most gold albums by an American group, the most total certifications by an American group, and are tied for the most multi-platinum albums by an American group. The band has scored 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, nine number-one Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and were included among both Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."
June 10, 2014
TCB Band
The TCB Band was a group of professional musicians who formed the core rhythm section of Elvis Presley’s band from 1969 - 1977. TCB stands for Taking Care of Business, a personal motto Presley adopted in the early '70s. They first appeared live at Presley’s first Las Vegas at the International Hotel on July 31, 1969. Band members went on to play with other famous artists such as Emmie Lou, John Denver, Jerry Garcia, Neil Diamond and many others. Members of the band continue to tour world-wide in sold-out tributes to the king.
June 9, 2014
David Bowie
David Bowie has influenced popular music for over four decades and is well-known for his work in the 1970s. With hit songs such as his 1969 chart topping "Space Oddity," Bowie became an innovator by incorporating art into music form. Later, he developed his stage persona Ziggy Stardust which challenged the more traditional forms of rock 'n' roll. With over 140 million albums sold world-wide, his career consisted of continual reinvention, musical innovation and striking visual presentation. In the UK, he has been awarded nine Platinum album certifications, eleven Gold and eight Silver. In the U.S., he has received five Platinum and seven Gold certifications. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him among the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time." Bowie has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and named a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
June 8, 2014
Led Zeppelin
Largely influenced by Elvis and his stage performance, Led Zeppelin is the precursor to what is now known as heavy metal - futher expanding the span of rock 'n' roll's impact on popular culture. The English rock band was formed in London in 1968 consisting of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. They are one of the best-selling music artists in the history of audio recording with over 200 million records sold worldwide. Each of their nine studio albums placed on the Billboard Top 10 and six reached the number-one spot. They have been  inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the UK Music Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame. The band's awards include an American Music Award, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Diamond status albums, Polar Music Prize, among many others.
June 7, 2014
Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry’s music has transcended generations and pioneered of rock 'n' roll music for artists such as Elvis. As a guitarist, singer and songwriter, Berry redefined rhythm and blues utilizing guitar solos and showmanship that would be a major influence on subsequent rock music. With millions of records sold world-wide, Berry's hits include "Maybellene," "Roll Over Beethoven," "Rock and Roll Music," "Johnny B. Goode," among many others. Berry was among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986.
June 6, 2014
Bill Haley and His Comets
Bill Haley and His Comets were a rock 'n' roll band credited with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s. Their hit single “Rock Around the Clock,” a rock anthem stayed at #1 for eight weeks and sold an estimated twenty-five million copies worldwide. For most of the '50s, Haley was a presence on the record charts, and he appeared in several rock 'n' roll movies aimed at teenagers. It is estimated that Haley and His Comets have sold 60 million records worldwide. Haley and His Comets have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and have been honored at Hollywood's Rock Walk.
June 5, 2014
Norbert Putnam, Elvis' Bassist
Norbert Putnam played as Elvis' bassist and was part of the Muscle Shoals musicians brought to Nashville to play for the king in 1965.Putnam worked there as a bassist on recording sessions with Presley, Roy Orbison, Al Hirt, Henry Mancini, Linda Ronstadt, J. J. Cale, and many more artists. Later in life Putname became a producer responsible for copious work on Nashville's non-country music output from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. His credits include major works that established the popularity of performers such as Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Dan Fogelberg, Brewer & Shipley and many others. Putnam was instrumental in the wave of modernization of many recording studios in Nashville, and laid the groundwork for the city's growth and widening it's appeal to pop and rock 'n' roll artists.