Q 01/05

Rocket 88 (1951) was credited to Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, but whose band actually played on it?

A) Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm

B) Howlin' Wolf's House Rockers

C) B.B. King's Beale Streeters

D) Roy Milton's Solid Senders

Answer · why

A) Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm

Brenston was Turner's saxophonist; the record went to number one on the R&B chart and helped fund Sun Records.

Q 02/05

Legend says Willie Kizart's damaged amp on Rocket 88 was repaired with what, creating its fuzz tone?

A) Chewing gum

B) Wadded newspaper

C) A wire coat hanger

D) Duct tape

Answer · why

B) Wadded newspaper

Sam Phillips liked the buzz and kept it, giving rock its first fuzz tone by accident on Highway 61.

Q 03/05

Sam Phillips opened his Memphis Recording Service at what address in January 1950?

A) 1619 Broadway

B) 706 Union Avenue

C) 1034 Audubon Drive

D) 2120 South Michigan Avenue

Answer · why

B) 706 Union Avenue

Sun Records itself followed on 1 February 1952, funded partly by the success of Rocket 88.

Q 04/05

Who bought the Sun label from Sam Phillips in 1969?

A) Shelby Singleton

B) Berry Gordy

C) Chet Atkins

D) Jerry Wexler

Answer · why

A) Shelby Singleton

Singleton was a Mercury Records producer; the label still trades on the original 1950s rooster-and-sunrise logo.

Q 05/05

Elvis's That's All Right, cut at Sun in 1954, was a 1946 blues number by which artist?

A) Arthur Crudup

B) Junior Parker

C) Big Boy Crudup's cousin Rufus Thomas

D) Big Mama Thornton

Answer · why

A) Arthur Crudup

Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips played it on his Red, Hot, and Blue show three days later.