Sam Phillips, the rock 'n' roll producer who discovered Elvis Presley and also launched the careers of such stars as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and B.B. King has died, aged 80.
Phillips died at St Francis Hospital in Memphis on Wednesday where his influential Sun studio still stands as a tourist attraction.
Phillips launched Sun Records in 1952 and in 1954 he recorded Presley's first single, a cover of the blues tune 'That's All Right Mama'.
But after four more singles Phillips sold his contract as Elvis' manager to major label RCA records for $35,000 to help clear debts accumulated by Sun.
He sold Sun Records in 1969 and in later years spent much of his time operating radio stations in Memphis and Alabama.
Phillips was elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
