On December 4th in music history, one significant event took place in 1956 when an impromptu jam session at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, brought together four of the biggest names in rock and roll: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
The session, which became known as the "Million Dollar Quartet," was a casual gathering of friends and fellow musicians who had all recorded at Sun Studios under the guidance of producer Sam Phillips. On that day, Perkins was scheduled to record some new material with Lewis on piano. Cash, who had stopped by to watch the session, joined in on vocals, and Presley, who had recently left Sun for RCA Records, also dropped in to visit his old stomping grounds.
What followed was an extraordinary moment in music history, as the four musicians began to play together, swapping stories, and singing each other's songs. They performed a mix of gospel, country, and rock and roll tunes, including "Peace in the Valley," "Down by the Riverside," and "I Walk the Line."
The session was captured on tape by sound engineer Jack Clement, who had the foresight to keep the tape running throughout the impromptu performance. Although the recording quality was not perfect, it provided a rare glimpse into the camaraderie and musical talent of these four legendary artists.
The "Million Dollar Quartet" session remained largely unknown to the public until 1981, when the recordings were finally released as an album. The release generated significant interest and helped cement the iconic status of the four musicians involved.
In 2006, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the event, a Broadway musical titled "Million Dollar Quartet" was created, showcasing the music and the story behind this legendary recording session. The musical has since been performed around the world, introducing new generations to the timeless music and the incredible talents of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
