RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-655

A resolution in support of the United States Postal Service issuing a commemorative postage stamp honoring Sam Phillips.

WHEREAS, Sam Phillips was an American record producer who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950’s; and

WHEREAS, Sam Phillips was born on January 5, 1923, the youngest of eight children to Charles Tucker Phillips and Margaret Ella ‘Madgie’ Lovelace Phillips and was raised on a farm just outside Florence, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, on January 3, 1950, Sam Phillips opened the ‘Memphis Recording Service’ in Memphis, Tennessee, which also served as the studios for Phillips’ own label, Sun Records, through the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, Phillips recorded what some consider the first rock and roll record: ‘Rocket 88’ by Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats; and

WHEREAS, as owner of Sun records and frequent producer of discs at his Sun Studios, Phillips was vital to launching the careers of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis and numerous other significant artists; and

WHEREAS, Blues legends B.B. King and Howlin’ Wolf made their first recordings at his studio; and

WHEREAS, Sam Phillips launched radio station WHER in October of 1955, the first ‘All-Girl’ Radio format, in 1986 was part of the first group inducted into the rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1987 was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, in 1991 received a Grammy Trustees Award for his lifetime achievements, in 1994 he was honored by his hometown of Florence, Alabama by having a street named in his honor (Sam Phillips Street), in 1998, Phillips was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, in 1999 , A&E Television produced his biography, Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rockn’ Roll, and in October 2001 into the Country Music Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Sam Phillips sold his Sun Catalog in 1969 to music entrepreneur Shelby Singleton who owns the Nashville based Sun Entertainment which continues to promote and preserve the legacy and music of Sam Phillips and Sun Records; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes and supports the issuance of a postage stamp to honor another great contributor to Rock and Roll music Mr. Sam Phillips.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as in support of the United States Postal Service issuing a commemorative postage stamp honoring Sam Phillips.

Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Charlie Tygard

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	March 3, 2009
Adopted:	March 3, 2009
Approved:	March 4, 2009
By: