The Million Dollar Quartet Trivia Quiz

Answer: Johnny Cash

By the time this occurred Elvis was already with RCA Victor. Cash, Perkins and Lewis were still with SUN Records when Elvis paid the studio a visit. Orbison, Twitty and Rich all recorded with SUN early in their careers.

Answer: Sam Phillips

Sam Phillips recorded a wide variety of artists and groups at SUN Studios and is widely considered to be one of the founding fathers of rock and roll. Joe Bihari was with Modern Records in California and was responsible for bringing BB King to Sam Phillips. Leonard Chess was owner of CHESS Records in Chicago. Spector was soon to be one of the most influential producers of all time.

Answer: Memphis

SUN Studio is located at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis. Sam Phillips purchased the building in 1950 and set up the Memphis Recording Service. The SUN label was launched in 1952. Phillips closed the building in 1959 and moved to a bigger location in Memphis.

The building housed a plumbing company and auto parts store until 1987 when it was restored and re-opened as a working studio and museum.

Answer: Carl Perkins

Following his success with "Blue Suede Shoes" (which was covered by Elvis), Carl's career was sidelined by a horrific automobile accident that did physical and emotional damage. He recovered physically and was at SUN Studios to record new material. One of the songs he recorded that day was "Matchbox" which would later be covered by The Beatles.

Answer: 1956

This historic session took place on December 4, 1956. Many believe that it was Sam Phillips himself who recorded the session, but it was actually Jack Clement who himself would go on to a successful songwriting and producing career. Phillips was present for at least part of the session.

Answer: Marilyn

At the time of the impromptu session Elvis was dating a girl named Marilyn Evans. He would soon begin a relationship with a Memphis girl named Dixie Locke. In the stage musical "Million Dollar Quartet", Elvis's girlfriend is named Dianne who also sings in the play. Marilyn did not sing in real life, however.

Answer: Jackie Wilson

Listening to the recording of the session, it's obvious that Elvis was quite taken with Jackie's stage presence and vocal ability, as well as being flattered by Jackie's impersonation of him. Jackie was nicknamed "Mister Excitement" for a very good reason and Elvis would admit in later years to copying some of Wilson's "moves" and vocal stylings.

Answer: Don't Forbid Me

Elvis claimed the song was offered to him first but the details couldn't be worked out. The other answers were all hits by Boone and were bigger sellers than "Don't Forbid Me".

Answer: Colonel Tom Parker called Elvis away from the session.

Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis's manager at the time, was not aware of the impromptu session until after the fact. According to most accounts, none of the artists were aware they were being recorded until well after the session started. Cash, Perkins and Lewis performed together several times over the years.

Answer: Elvis Presley

One of the most poignant moments of the stage show is when "Sam Phillips" observes that this may be the only time these four artists will ever be together again. He takes a picture when the four strike a pose. Then a screen is lowered, showing the actual photograph while a small excerpt of the actual recording is played.

In truth, the photo was taken by a photographer from the Memphis Press-Scimitar who came to the session with a reporter from the newspaper at the invitation of Sam Phillips.