Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Sun Studio in Memphis

Sun Studio is an iconic attraction for music lovers in Memphis. The site is part of the city’s music heritage due to the many artists who recorded there including Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Today the recording studio is open to visitors who want to see the room where so many hits were made. I was able to visit Sun Studio on my last trip to Memphis, and it was completely different from what I expected. In fact, I felt like I had to include it on my guide of how to spend 24 hours in Memphis. 

Here’s why I think Sun Studio is worth a visit for any music fan.

Sun Studio’s History

Sam Phillips opened Sun Studio in 1950. The studio claims the title of the birthplace of rock ‘n roll, and many blues, R&B, and country artists recorded there as well. The record label was the first to work with Elvis Presley before selling the contract to a larger label. 

Sun Studio played a role in Memphis’ reputation as a music town. The studio is now a National Historic Landmark, and in addition to being open to the general public for tours, artists can also book recording sessions at the studio. U2, Def Leppard, and John Mellancamp have all recorded at Sun Studio.

Guided Tours of Sun Studio

Tickets for a guided tour of Sun Studio have to be purchased on the day of and there’s a limited number, so you’ll want to get to the studio early to make sure you are able to reserve a spot. You can buy a coffee or soda while you wait for your tour to begin or you can pick a later time in the day and come back. 

I was surprised by just how small Sun Studio was when I visited, but that makes sense because that was all the space needed for the original working studio. 

The visit begins upstairs in a space that has been converted into a museum. This first part is where you’ll learn about the history of Sun Studio and the music scene in Memphis in general. 

As you might imagine, there are lots of photos and records on display, but the most interesting part for me was seeing the music equipment that was used during the time period. I also enjoyed getting to see what radio stations looked like then as well. 

The second part of the tour takes place inside the actual studio. It’s not particularly flashy, but it’s incredible to be in the space where some of the biggest names in music have recorded. You also get to hear some snippets of recording that were never released to the public. 

I thought the tour guide did a good job of giving just enough information for you to understand what you’re seeing without getting too technical. I also liked that while Elvis was mentioned, it wasn’t all about him. Lots of other artists were highlighted as well. The tour is relatively short lasting less than an hour overall. 

I’ve visited a number of music landmarks because I live in Nashville, but I’ve never had an experience quite like the one at Sun Studio. I’d highly recommend adding a visit to your Memphis itinerary!

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Sun Studio is located at 706 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. You can find information about opening hours and tickets on their website.

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