Sun Records has been the name for four 20th century record labels.

Label of the fourth Sun Records

The most famous Sun Records (fourth label to bear the name) was based in Memphis, Tennessee starting operations on March 27, 1952. Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash their first recording contracts and helping to launch their careers. The music of many Sun Records musicians helped lay part of the foundation of late 20th century popular music and rock and roll and influenced many younger musicians, particularly the Beatles.

For a more detailed discussion, see the article on the label's owner, Sam Phillips.

The first Sun Records were single-sided disc records put out by the Crystalate Gramophone Record Manufacturing Company Ltd of Kent, England, from about 1905 to 1910. (The same company would later produce records under the name Imperial).

A nearly contemporaneous label was produced in the United States by the Leeds & Catlin company, about 1905-1907.

The third Sun Records was produced by the Sun Record Company of Toronto, Canada in the early 1920s. Many or all of the masters pressed were leased from the USA based Okeh Records.

Quotation

Yeah, I was just thirteen, you might say I was a

Musical proverbial knee-high

When I heard a couple new-sounding tunes on the tubes

And they blasted me sky-high

And the record man said every one is a Yellow Sun

Record from Nashville

And up North there ain't nobody buys them

And I said, but I will

"Nashville Cats" by John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful errs in the location of the label

See also

• List of record labels