Sam Phillips
1923-2003

Sam Philips, one of the architects of popular music, died in a Memphis hospital July 30, 2003. He was 80. Best known for discovering Elvis Presley and ushering in rock ‘n’ roll, Phillips also recorded B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Charlie Rich.

I once had the pleasure of meeting the legendary Sam Phillips. Phillips gave the keynote speech at the 1988 National Association of Independent Record Distributors convention at th...