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Million Dollar Quartet Musical

October 07, 2007 | Other
The historical "Million Dollar Quartet session" has been turned into a musical. It is based on the book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux with musical arrangements by Chuck Mead.

It plays in Issaquah WA. (Francis J. Gaudette Theatre) and Everett WA. (Everett Performing Arts Center), September 19 – November 18, 2007.

Synopsis: Gripping Rock-n-Roll Original

This incredible musical, inspired by an actual event, will take you back to the place where rock-n-roll was born! On December 4, 1956, at Sun Studios in Memphis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley came together for the first and only time. They rocked the house...then rocked the world! These four legends-to-be and the "Father of Rock-n-Roll," Sam Phillips, who discovered them all, united for an impromptu recording session that would be one for the ages. The musicians played, talked, played, joked, played, argued, and played all night — and were quickly christened the "Million Dollar Quartet." Part jam session, part bull session, and chock full of rock-n-roll classics from the 50s, this unforgettable new musical will have you dancing in the aisles.
Source:For Elvis CD Collectors Forum
Aarons wrote on October 07, 2007
What? how can anyone turn the Million Dollar Quartet Session be turned into a musical? Trust me it will lose its appeal.
Elvisnites wrote on October 07, 2007
Didn't Johnny Cash only show up for the picture? At least that's what I heard. Listening to the CD I believe it.
Jumpin Jehosaphat wrote on October 08, 2007
Johnny CAN be in the million dollar quartet the same way Jerry Lee Lewis was in in Walk the Line (The Movie) because they want to. Johnny is not on the CD and Jerry was not with Sun in 55 and was just a sessions piano player in 56, and did not do the lewis boogie like in the movie until after 57. and did not tour with Elvis presley, in the early days.
Elvisnites wrote on October 08, 2007
I think that's what they call "creative liberties" LOL
David Brys wrote on October 08, 2007
I've got some more ideas for musicals: "Swearing in the Army", "The '68 Backstage Rehearsal", "The Impossible Dream: The July '74 Rehearsal" or maybe "Coming Home, Tupelo '56"... Just kidding of course.
Colonel wrote on October 08, 2007
I'm not sure that Cash isn't there. Not only did he himself say he was there, but at one point it seems that Elvis is talking to Cash or trying to get him sing on that one song ("As we travelled along...."). Of course we will never know for sure, but I guess there are enough pros and contras....
old shep wrote on October 08, 2007
I read somewhere a few years ago that Johnny Cash was around at the session but his wife wanted him to go shopping in town so the photo was taken and he left early
Jumpin Jehosaphat wrote on October 15, 2007
Is Charlie Underwood Still around? He might know the answer. he couldnt be that old. Knox Phillips "son of Sam" would know the answer.
rickeverett wrote on October 31, 2007
No, no, here's the reason Elvis refers to Johnny Cash. When he tries to sing "On The Jericho Road" in a low register, he says, "we need Johnny Cash to sing this one" (Johnny had a better "low range" than Elvis in that time period). That doesn't mean that Johnny was there at the time of that recording, just that Elvis jokingly wished he was. I know Johnny claimed to have been there during the recording, but I've examined the audio closely and cannot find any evidence of his presence. Other "facts" that Johnny offered up about the recording of the Million Dollar Quartet are inaccurate, so I don't think we should give his memory much credit, unfortunately. In all likelihood, Johnny was there for the photo, probably sang on a couple of songs that were not taped (or that portion has been lost), then left with his wife, Vivian.