Classic tracks from the rising Sun

Noted Sydney musician and songwriter John Kennedy will lead an all-star musical trio at the Potato Shed that pays tribute to legendary Sun Records founder Sam Phillips.

Co-written by Kieran Carroll (NEWK!; Dahlin’ it’s the Jeanne Little Show!), Sons of Sun tells the story of Sam Phillips (Matt Charleston), his assistant Marion Keisker (Victoria Beck) and the famous musicians who recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis.

Sun Studios defined the rock n’ roll sound and the course of popular music as it is known today.

Originally working as a DJ in the 1940s, Phillips opened what was first known as Memphis Recording Service in the Tennessee city, which also served as the studios for Phillips’ own label Sun Records through the 1950s.

Phillips is most famous for his discovery of Elvis Presley – particularly debut single, “That’s All Right” in 1954 – but he also recorded the music of black rhythm and blues artists such as James Cotton, Rufus Thomas, Rosco Gordon, Little Milton, Bobby Blue Bland, and others throughout the 1950s. Blues legends such as B.B. King and Howlin’ Wolf made their first recordings at Sun Studios.

Joining Kennedy (John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong; JFK & the Cuban Crisis) on stage are Sydney musicians Murray Cook (the original Red Wiggle in The Wiggles; The Soul Movers) and Jeff Hall (John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong; John Kennedy’s ’68 Comeback Special).

The band perform 35 songs from Elvis; Johnny Cash; Carl Perkins; Jerry-Lee Lewis; Roy Orbison and many more.

“Phillips is portrayed, with all his brilliance, insight and flaws by Matt Charleston… and Victoria Beck plays Kesiker, the secretary at Sun who nagged Phillips into hearing a young truck driver who would change his life (and the life of pretty much everybody else),” Australian music journalist Glenn A. Baker said in his review of the show.

Sons of Sun will be performed at the Potato Shed, Drysdale on February 25.

For tickets and more information, head to potatoshed.com.au