As with the Nashville “A-Team”, the Los Angeles “Wrecking Crew”, the American Sound Studio’s “Memphis Boys”, Stax Records’ “Booker T and the MG’s”, and the Muscle Shoals “Swampers” etc., Detroit (Motown) had “The Funk Brothers”. The notable members include James Jamerson- bass guitar, Uriel Jones- drums, Dennis Coffey- guitar, Joe [...]

In the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, one thing that the studios in Nashville had in common with all U.S. recording studios was a relatively small group of musicians who played on about 80-90% of their recordings. This particular group of musicians called themselves the A-Team. Over time, other members would come and go, but the [...]

In the early 60’s, there was a group of studio musicians located in L.A. called The Wrecking Crew. Although virtually unknown to the public, these musicians played on most of the hits associated with the West Coast sound. That sound consisted of artists such as Sonny and Cher, The Association, Ricky Nelson, The Beach Boys, [...]

Scotty Moore and Bill Black started a band called the Starlite Wranglers around 1954 in Memphis. Having already recorded in Sun Studios, Sam Phillips asked Scotty to audition a young singer named Elvis Presley.
Scotty invited Elvis to his apartment where he and fellow band mate, Bill Black, listened to Elvis sing song after song. Impressed [...]

Founded by Chips Moman and Don Crews in 1964, American Sound Studio was located at 827 Thomas Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Originally known as the 827 Thomas Street Band, and later nicknamed after moving to Nashville, the Memphis Boys were a group of musicians whose careers started in the Memphis area in the early 60’s. [...]

Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins were both mechanics in Memphis when Johnny Cash joined their band. Elvis had just started making some noise and Marshall said to Luther and Johnny, “Somebody’s gotta learn how to play lead guitar and somebody’s gotta learn how to play bass if we expect to have any success like Elvis [...]