Carl Perkins recalls the moment he convinced Sam Phillips to let him cut a record at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.

Phillips spoke to Fresh Air in 1997 about launching Elvis Presley's career at Sun Records. He also produced early recordings of B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. He died in 2003.

Sam Phillips, you started Sun Records, your studio in Memphis after recording for independent companies, other people's independent companies, like Chess Records. Why did you want to start your own ...

Well, keep on calling. Tell them I'm not at home. GROSS: That's Howlin' Wolf, a recording produced in 1951 by my guest, Sam Phillips. Sam Phillips, you started Sun Records, your studio in Memphis ...