Sun Record Company

Record company. Also appears as "Sun Record Co.". See also Sun Record Co., Inc.. For the label, please see Sun (9). Founded in 1952 by Sam Phillips (2). During the 1950s-1960s it defined the Rockabilly genre with artists like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and of course Elvis Presley. The first record on Sun was "Blues in My Condition" by "Little Walter" Horton and Jack Kelly. During the first year, Phillips recorded several artists who would go on to have successful careers. Among them were B.B. King, Rufus Thomas and Howlin' Wolf. Thomas's "Bearcat", a recording that was similar to "Hound Dog", was the first real hit for Sun in 1953. Little Junior's Blue Flames hit #5 with "Feelin' Good" later in 1953. In July 1969, Phillips sold 80 % of his interest to Shelby S Singleton Jr. (see Sun International Corporation). Any release with a 7 digit Phonogram numerical catalogue number is 1972 or later.