Carl Perkins' Cadillac
Encyclopedia
A song from the Drive-By Truckers
' 2004 album The Dirty South
, Carl Perkins' Cadillac sympathetically tells the story of one of the giants of rock and roll, Sam Phillips
of Sun Records
, and the respect shown to him by his stable of artists in the mid-1950s. One of the lines in the song states, "Mr. Phillips was the only man that Jerry Lee still would call 'sir.'"
The narrative of the song tells the story that Sam Phillips promised a Cadillac
to the first Sun artist who created a gold record. While it was expected that Elvis Presley
would be the first to accomplish this, it was actually Carl Perkins
. Other Sun Records artists mentioned in the song include Johnny Cash
, Elvis Presley
, and Jerry Lee Lewis
.
Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers are an alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of six members are originally from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, and the band strongly identifies with Alabama. Their music uses three guitars as well as bass, drums, and now...
' 2004 album The Dirty South
The Dirty South (album)
The Dirty South is the fifth album by Alabamian alternative country/Southern rock group Drive-By Truckers, released in 2004. The Dirty South is Drive-By Truckers' third concept album...
, Carl Perkins' Cadillac sympathetically tells the story of one of the giants of rock and roll, Sam Phillips
Sam Phillips
Samuel Cornelius Phillips , better known as Sam Phillips, was an American businessman, record executive, record producer and DJ who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s...
of Sun Records
Sun Records
Sun Records is a record label founded in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27, 1952.Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley , Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash...
, and the respect shown to him by his stable of artists in the mid-1950s. One of the lines in the song states, "Mr. Phillips was the only man that Jerry Lee still would call 'sir.'"
The narrative of the song tells the story that Sam Phillips promised a Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
to the first Sun artist who created a gold record. While it was expected that Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
would be the first to accomplish this, it was actually Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins
Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
. Other Sun Records artists mentioned in the song include Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, and Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
.