Sun Studios - Memphis

You can't really have the complete Elvis experience without visiting Sun Studios on Union Avenue in Memphis.  This is where Elvis first stepped in front of a microphone and recorded his very first song, "My Happiness" in 1953.  The song was not well received, and it seemed as though Elvis's music career was DOA.  But then, in 1954, as legend has it, Elvis was goofing around and started to sing "That's Alright (Mama)" when Sun Studios boss Sam Phillips overheard it and liked it.  A star was born.

But Sun Studios is more than just Elvis.  Many big name stars of the 50's recorded here as well:  Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis were just a few.  In more recent years, U2, Ringo Starr, John Mellencamp, Bonnie Raitt, and Def Leppard also recorded songs.

The Sun Studios tour is very brief, with only 2 rooms covered:  a room full of memorabilia, and the actual recording studio.  You even get a chance to hold Elvis's microphone at the end of the tour.  One particularly insane Elvis fan, as the tour guide told us, stuck out his tongue and licked the microphone, hoping to catch some Elvis DNA.  Oh, those wacky, wacky Elvis fans.

The tour is $12 per person, but probably should only be $6.  Parking is limited, and the surrounding area is kinda scary.  Still, it's worth it to see the "Birthplace of Rock N' Roll!"