On December 4, 1956, one man brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together for the first and only time. His name is Sam Phillips. The place was Sun Records. That night they made rock ‘n’ roll history.
Million Dollar Quartet relives this historical moment, giving the audience a chance to witness what happened on that infamous day. Many of us have imagined what it would be like to attend a concert and see one of these legends live, let alone all four in one place at one time. The Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of the day that by some sheer act of fate, Cash, Perkins, Lewis, and Presley gathered together with Sam Phillips, the man responsible for discovering and launching each of their careers. Although we will never have the opportunity of seeing these men together again, or in a show, Million Dollar Quartet is the closest you’ll get to the real thing. The characters cast for the show fully embody these musicians in every way possible—they look like them, dress like them, act like them, and sing their songs and play their instruments as close as they can in their tribute to these artists.
Watching the performance, there were moments I would close my eyes and marvel at how closely “Folsom Prison Blues” sounded like the original track. I would open my eyes, and I’m staring at the spitting image of Johnny Cash. Actor Derek Keeling even handled his guitar like the Man in Black. With a score of songs ranging from gospel to country to rock ‘n’ roll, I was dancing along in my chair to “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog,” and “Great Balls of Fire.” All throughout the show, the audience was doing the same as they heard all of their favorite songs. Rarely do we get a peek into history; an evening of Million Dollar Quartet and you’ll feel like you were there to see this unforgettable day happen—the music and the drama. The show ends with an unforgettable ending—one better than Sam Phillips could have dreamed of himself. Here I am sitting front and center at the greatest concert that never happened. Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley are on stage together, and the crowd is up on their feet.
Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis Presley is alive and here in San Jose. Don’t miss your chance to see him and other American music legends, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins! The show runs from now until May 13th. Tickets are on sale now at the www.sjtix.com box office or call 408-792-4111 for more details. Be sure to follow Broadway San Jose on Facebook and Twitter for updates on their 2011-2012 season (as well as their incredible upcoming 2012-2013 line-up) and special messages for fans/followers!
Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel
Elvis Presley is really the king of rock and roll. I always admire him because of his pure talent. There would be no other musician like him. “’:`
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Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say superb blog!