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HITS Daily Double

HERE COMES THE SUN

Primary Wave Music has acquired the assets of producer Sam Phillips' legendary Sun Records, the studio home of early recordings by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash.

The multimillion-dollar deal encompasses master recordings by Cash, Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, The Dixie Cups and others, the music publishing owned by Sun, the Sun Records logo and all other trademarks owned by Sun.

Sun Entertainment Corp. President John Singleton will remain at the label.

Primary Wave plans to expand the Sun Records brand through marketing, branding, digital strategy, licensing, synch opportunities and film & TV production.

“We are extremely pleased to pass the Sun Records baton to Primary Wave and are confident that they will continue to reach new heights for the crown jewel of the music business created by Sam Phillips, which my brother, Shelby, and I have kept alive and relevant for the past 50 years,” Singleton said.

Recordings included in the deal span Bill Justis’ “Raunchy,” Lewis’ “Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On” and “Great Balls of Fire” and the original versions of Cash’s “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”

Phillips launched Sun Records in February 1952 in Memphis, recording and releasing gospel, blues, country, western swing and early rock 'n' roll. Shelby Singleton purchased Sun in 1969.

“Sun Records is the original home to some of the biggest legends in music,” said Larry Mestel, CEO & Founder of Primary Wave Music. “Sam Phillips treated all his artists with the utmost respect and provided a space of creativity like no other. His vision for Sun aligns perfectly with the creative ethos of Primary Wave.”