Sun Records: An Oral History

In his introduction to the inaugural volume in a new series of rock oral histories, series editor Dave Marsh writes, ""For the Record isn't concerned with the most obvious stars; exploring the stories untold and half-told which need to be properly retold constitutes our mission."" The problem is the first-person accounts of a handful of session musicians fortunate enough to witness history (Roland Janes, Scotty Moore, Jim Dickinson) and a few hopefuls that fame would pass by (Billy Lee Riley, Malcolm Yelvington) will give neophytes, at least, little sense of the importance of the legendary Memphis record label that offered first breaks to the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, not to mention the young Elvis Presley. By sidestepping the admittedly well-trodden paths of The King's meteoric rise or Jerry Lee's fall from grace, it's hard to grasp the importance of what Sam Phillips created and the command he had of popular American music. Fans of Marsh's music journalism are justified to expect more of his characteristic vigor and immodesty. Perhaps other inaugural volumes on less well-covered subjects (soul shouters Sam and Dave and British goth metal progenitors Black Sabbath) will be more straightforward. (Feb.)