Books like Sam Phillips by Peter Guralnick


Peter Guralnick’s biography follows Sam Phillips, the visionary founder of Sun Records in Memphis, whose keen ear led him to discover and record pioneering artists such as Howlin’ Wolf, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Through a detailed account of Phillips’ hustling, talent scouting, and entrepreneurial spirit, the book shows how the modest label became a catalyst for the evolution of rock and roll, reshaping the American sound recording industry and leaving a lasting legacy in music history.
First publish date: 2015
Genre: Biography & Autobiography/Biography
Authors: Peter Guralnick
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3.0 (1 community ratings)

Sam Phillips by Peter Guralnick

How are these books recommended?

The books recommended for Sam Phillips by Peter Guralnick are shaped by reader interaction. Votes on how closely books relate, user ratings, and community comments all help refine these recommendations and highlight books readers genuinely find similar in theme, ideas, and overall reading experience.


Have you read any of these books?
Your votes, ratings, and comments help improve recommendations and make it easier for other readers to discover books they’ll enjoy.

Books similar to Sam Phillips (17 similar books)

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by 6641547|Tom Wolfe book cover

📘 The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
 by Tom Wolfe

Tom Wolfe's seminal work on the counterculture, featuring the tale of Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters and the acid-fueled bus tour that shaped the '60s.

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.2 (9 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Tender at the bone by 6674949|Ruth Reichl book cover

📘 Tender at the bone

Ruth Reichl’s memoir chronicles her life from a childhood shaped by food to her rise as a celebrated culinary writer, capturing the people and places that defined her passion for cooking and storytelling.

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.0 (7 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
John Lennon by 8854948|Norman, Philip book cover

📘 John Lennon

John Lennon: Uncovering the Life of the Legendary Rock Star

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.2 (4 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Every love story is a ghost story by 7239057|D. T. Max book cover

📘 Every love story is a ghost story
 by D. T. Max

David Foster Wallace's life and work in biography, capturing the literary genius and struggle of a misunderstood writer gone too soon, as journalist D. T. Max delves into the tormented life of one of America's most innovative and influential authors.

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.5 (4 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Waging Heavy Peace by 7103390|Neil Young book cover

📘 Waging Heavy Peace
 by Neil Young

Neil Young reflects on his life and musical career in this candid, witty autobiography.

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.3 (3 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Words without music by 10932698|Philip Glass book cover

📘 Words without music

Philip Glass, renowned composer of symphonies, operas, and film scores, chronicles his personal journey and artistic evolution in this candid autobiographical narrative.

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.0 (3 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Careless Love by 6619843|Peter Guralnick book cover

📘 Careless Love

The second volume of Peter Guralnick's biography of Elvis Presley, detailing his last two decades and unraveling his relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.5 (2 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Unfaithful music & disappearing ink by 7032825|Elvis Costello book cover

📘 Unfaithful music & disappearing ink

Elvis Costello narrates his rise from London and Liverpool roots to rock‑star status, detailing the music industry’s triumphs and trials over four decades.

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.0 (1 rating)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Classical Recording by 13843561|Caroline Haigh book cover

📘 Classical Recording


★★★★★★★★★★ 5.0 (1 rating)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
The story of Motown by 9650236|Peter Benjaminson book cover

📘 The story of Motown

Motown was part of growing up in the 1960's and 70's. An amazing number of well-known stars worked for Motown: Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Jr Walker and the All Stars, Mary Wells, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Edwin Starr, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Lamont Dozier, Shorty Long, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Fifth dimension, the Marvelettes, the Contours, the Isley Brothers, the Spinners, the Originals, the Jackson Five, the Commodores, Rare Earth, Rick James, and many others. Most were Motown stars. Many started and ended with Motown. Motown is important for other reasons. A black company, Motown made black music popular among Americans of all ages.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
The history of rock 'n' roll in ten songs by 6711656|Greil Marcus book cover

📘 The history of rock 'n' roll in ten songs

Selects ten songs recorded between 1956 and 2008 that embody rock and roll as a thing in itself--in the story each song tells, inhabits, and creates in its legacy.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Gang leader for a day by 7044729|Sudhir Alladi Venkatesh book cover

📘 Gang leader for a day

Socio‑researcher Sudhir Venkatesh infiltrates a Chicago crack‑dealing gang, documenting urban poverty and crime from within.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Sun Records by 8776396|Colin Escott book cover

📘 Sun Records


★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Rock On by 5570092|Dan Kennedy book cover

📘 Rock On

Dan Kennedy’s hilarious memoir chronicles his unexpected career at a legendary record label, blending office satire with rock‑music anecdotes and celebrity cameos.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Tearing Down the Wall of Sound by 11127183|Mick Brown book cover

📘 Tearing Down the Wall of Sound
 by Mick Brown


★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Rhythm and the blues by 10160041|Jerry Wexler book cover

📘 Rhythm and the blues

Jerry Wexler, Atlantic Records producer who shaped the modern music business, guided legends like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, and Willie Nelson, leaving a lasting imprint on American culture.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Christgau's record guide by 6619854|Robert Christgau book cover

📘 Christgau's record guide

Robert Christgau’s collection of rock music reviews and discographies, covering the 1980s and early 1990s.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0

Some Other Similar Books

Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick
Feel Like Going Home: Portraits and Songs of Country Life by Paul Oliver
Shakey: Neil Young's Biography by Jimmy McDonough
Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock 'n' Roll Music by Greil Marcus
John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan
Blue Suede Shoes: The Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis Show by Peter Guralnick
Becoming Johnny Cash by Stephen B. Hatchett
Sweet Soul Music: Exploring the Music and Its Culture by Peter Guralnick

Have a similar book in mind? Let others know!

Please login to submit books!