Elvis Presley
ListenThat’s All Right · 1954
Elvis Presley — “That’s All Right,” official video using the Sun recording.
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1954 · Sun Records
That’s All Right / Blue Moon of Kentucky
A slow evening at Sun turned a corner when Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore and Bill Black began playing Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right” at a new pace. Their first single carried that spontaneous energy out of the studio and onto Memphis radio. [2] [3]
| Accession | OMMA-0100 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill |
| Release | 1954 · United States |
| Label | Sun Records · 209 |
| Format | 10-inch shellac single · 78 rpm |
| Issue | Original Sun commercial issue |
| Runouts | A: U-128-2 OK #72; stamped 1 (auction transcription) B: Not documented |
| Recorded grade | E/E− |
Release history and significance
Sam Phillips had brought Presley together with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black after an earlier audition failed to produce a usable recording. On 5 July 1954, the trio finally found its direction in “That’s All Right.” Presley played acoustic rhythm guitar, Moore electric guitar and Black upright bass; there was no drummer. [2] [3]
Phillips took an acetate of the recording to WHBQ disc jockey Dewey Phillips. The broadcast generated an immediate response from listeners. Backed with Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” the record joined blues and country repertoire in the trio’s own sound. [1] [3]
Sun released the single on 19 July 1954 in both 78 and 45 rpm formats. It was Presley’s commercial debut and the first of his five Sun singles. He continued working at Crown Electric while the trio began playing clubs and other dates across the South. [1] [2] [5]
Market context
Discogs sales for this Sun 209 shellac edition range from US$120 to US$2,500, with a median of US$500, as listed on 13 September 2026. [1]
Physical Description
A black shellac disc with Sun labels, a deep outer groove and the Wabash publishing credit. The artist line reads “Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill,” without “with.” These details correspond to the original shellac edition. [1] [4]
Condition
Graded E/E−, with glossy surfaces and strong, clear playback. Light markings around the spindle hole indicate use. The labels retain crisp printing with minor handling wear.
Provenance
Acquired through Omega Auctions on 19 May 2026. The auction catalogue describes the deep outer groove, Wabash credit and original artist-line wording. [4]
Sources
- Discogs, Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill — That’s All Right / Blue Moon of Kentucky, release 4000487. Original Sun 209 shellac edition, credits and sales history.
- Graceland, Elvis Presley timeline 1954–1957. Formation of the trio, the July session and early touring.
- Graceland, acquisition of the That’s All Right acetate, 8 January 2024. Recording personnel and the acetate taken to Dewey Phillips at WHBQ.
- Omega Auctions, Vinyl Highlights, 19 May 2026, lot 97. Seller’s description of the Sun 209 shellac pressing and runout.
- Phil Bicker, Elvis in the Beginning, TIME, 5 July 2014. 19 July 1954 commercial release date.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.