Musical legends including Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, the Who and Elton John will put on their blue suede shoes for a 50th anniversary film and soundtrack tribute to pioneering rock 'n' roll label Sun Records. Other stars include Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Jeff Beck, Chrissie Hynde, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Bryan Ferry, Aerosmith, Live, Third Eye Blind, Chris Isaak and Ben Folds Five as well as France's Johnny Hallyday and Italy's Zucchero. Brian Setzer and Kid Rock are also slated to contribute to the soundtrack.
These artists will perform the music of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and other pioneers from the Sun stable. PBS will broadcast a two-hour tribute in December 2001 as part of Thirteen/WNET New York's "American Masters'' series. Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun will produce the soundtrack album, which will be released through Warner Music Group's London-Sire label. Likely highlights of the special include McCartney singing ''That's All Right,'' recorded by Presley at one of his earliest Sun sessions in 1954, with the former Beatle backed by guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana, who played behind Elvis in that session nearly 50 years ago. Sam Phillips launched the Memphis-based company in February 1952, drawing on the gospel, blues and, country styles that permeated the area.