Sixty-one years after the legendary Sun Records was founded, Third Man Records has entered a partnership with them to re-release a number of classic 7″ singles from their catalog.
Founded by Sam Phillips in 1952, Memphis, Tennessee’s Sun Records is responsible for unleashing the likes of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash on the American public. Third Man, Jack White’s Nashville based record label, represents a talented handful of current artists, including his own White Stripes and side projects the Dead Weather and the Raconteurs. White’s praise and love of classic Americana makes this a seemingly obvious meeting of minds. Together the two labels plan to release a handful of rare and more well known 45rpm singles, the first batch of which are sure to have music enthusiasts drooling:
“Bear Cat” by Rufus Thomas. Recorded in 1953, this is the R&B singer’s answer to Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog.”
“Just Walking in the Rain” by The Prisonaires. Also recorded in 1953, this band of Tennessee State Prison inmates were a favorite or Elvis Presley.
“Get Rhythm” by Johnny Cash. Although a classic in it’s own right, this 1956 single received more attention for it’s B-Side, “I Walk the Line.”
The three re-issues with the classic Sun Records logo are available now for pre-order and will be officially released May 21st. In addition, there will be 150 limited edition pressings per title with “Sun-Ray” black and yellow splatter design. 100 copies will be sold through Third Man’s Rolling Record Store (see dates below), and 50 will be sent out in orders though Third Man’s website.
The Rolling Record Store will be selling the limited edition vinyl at these locations:
May 28th – Johnny Cash 7″ @ Sun Records, Memphis
May 29th – Rufus Thomas 7″ @ Please & Thank You, Louisville
May 30th – The Prisonaires 7″ @ Luna Records, Indianapolis
Check the Rolling Record Store Twitter page for updates.
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