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July 30 2003 Sam Philips died in Memphis.

He lead an amazing life..

From a family in the deep south that grew cotton.  Sam would work in the fields with African American pickers. They brought their songs with them and Sam grew to love the music.

He worked his way through radio and played a mix of black and white music that he loved.

When he started Sun Records in Memphis..it made perfect sense that he would record Jr Parker, Howling Wolf, and Charlie Rich side-by-side.

Then he went looking for a white singer who shared his love of black music and found him in ELVIS.

When I had the opportunity to visit Sun Records Studio…I just sat there and tried to imagine the history bouncing  off the walls

So years later, I find myself at the opening of the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 1995. Sam Phillips is being inducted and comes into the press room to speak with journalists and reporters as a group.

I waited until the very last question and asked him this question…

“Sam. They have recreated your studio here in the Hall. But how do they recreate the magic, the creative juice that connected in your original rooms? The incredible spark that happened between you and Elvis. How does that get captured here?”

His answer just blew me away… The other voice you hear is Mary Wilson from The Supremes.

The other guest visit is with Colin James and Jeff Healey…many years ago at MuchMusic in Toronto.

Just jamming in the studio. A Jimmy Reed song.  I told the guys I’d give them 5 bucks each if they worked my name into the lyrics.

A Great jam, both guys solo on their acoustic guitars – Five bucks later it’s followed by a giggle.

 This was pure magic..still is!

Here’s the long weekend music list – goes well with burgers.

OH…the Podcast is Cheech  and Chong.  Years ago, back in Vancouver where it all started for them.

PLAYLIST: