Elvis Presley: The Rise Of Rockabilly

MONDAY, JULY 5th, 1954. The most popular albums in America are Jackie Gleason's Tawny on Capitol, Frank Sinatra's Songs for Young Lovers, also on Capitol, the film soundtrack of The Glenn Miller Story, and the television soundtrack of Victory at Sea, both on RCA/Victor. The number one song in the Hit Parade is 'Three Coins in the Fountain'. The biggest selling rhythm-and-blues artists are the Midnighters, and the biggest selling country artist is Webb Pierce. Although rock-and-roll is a widespread phenomenon, only one white rock singer has yet achieved any success: Bill Haley. On this summer day, something is happening down in Memphis that will eventually overwhelm the whole of American Music. Within the Sun Record Company at 706 Union Avenue, Sam Phillips is cutting a first session on a local punk named Elvis Presley.