Sun Studio
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The Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll: Sun Studio
Often referred to as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, Sun Studio is a must-see for music aficionados. Former owner Sam Phillips helped launch many musical careers, including those of Elvis, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. In recent years, artists like Justin Townes Earle, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and The Walkmen, among others, have used the studio.
Guided Tour Highlights
On your guided tour, you'll hear stories about the legendary musicians who recorded here, listen to unreleased tracks, and see memorabilia from the studio's heyday. Recent visitors have said Sun Studio is everything Graceland is not: authentic, personal, and quirky. Reviewers noted that the tour guides were knowledgeable and entertaining, with many calling the experience "moving" and even "spine-tingling."
Planning Your Visit
Since this is such a popular attraction, it is recommended that you arrive in the morning to buy tickets for a tour later that day to avoid waiting for a tour spot. All tickets are booked in person on the day of the tour, though you can purchase a prepaid voucher online to be exchanged for a ticket upon your arrival at the studio. Note that prepaying online will not guarantee you a spot on a specific tour, and you'll need to budget at least two weeks to receive your voucher in the mail.
Visitor Information
Located in downtown Memphis, Sun Studio is open to visitors Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Guided tours are given at the bottom half of every hour, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tours last 40 to 50 minutes.
Admission costs $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 5 to 11. Children younger than 5 years old are not permitted on the tour. There is free parking and a gift shop on the premises. The first half of the tour is not wheelchair accessible, though the second half is. For more information, check out Sun Studio's website.
