This documentary, part of the PBS American Masters Series, gives a first-hand overview of Memphis' legendary Sun Records and it's founder Sam Phillips by some of the fellas who were there. The doc moves back and forth between interviews with legends such as Cowboy Jack Clement (check out his Q&A on the doc here.), Sonny Burgess, Scotty Moore & D.J. Fontana (Elvis' backup band), Billy Lee Riley and Mr. Phillips himself and performances by modern artists such as Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, and Kid Rock covering Sun songs. Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun calls on friends and Atlantic artists to do the covers - some the world could have lived without (Third Eye Blind). But I gotta tell ya, I was blown away by Italian artist Zucchero doin' Charlie Rich's "Who Will the Next Fool Be". Unfortunately the doc glosses over the African American artists that Sun recorded in it's earliest days that really set the stage for all the white performers that followed. But this point is not lost on the great Rufus Thomas - who finds himself in a room full of white guys patting each other on the back, looks around and firmly states "Whatever kinda music it is...NEVER FORGET THAT THE BLUES WAS THE MOTHER OF IT ALL!"

What's undeniable about Sun Records, Sam Phillips and Memphis, TN in general in the 1950's is that the world's most influential music was born from there. This was an amazin' time in American history - it should be taught in the schools so it's never forgotten.