Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock'n'Roll

Insightful 90-minute documentary of the remarkable man who discovered and first recorded not only Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash but many extraordinary black blues singers--Howlin' Wolf, Rufus Thomas, Little Milton.

In the case of Elvis, it was a Sun staffer who was key. After Presley paid to record a couple songs for his mother, the receptionist dogged Phillips to listen. Finally, he did.

There is much on-camera footage of Sam Phillips' personal recollections, rendered in his unique style--wry, measured, articulate.

No DVD of this show, which apparently was produced in the U.K. and aired here on A&E Biography as well as PBS. Part 1 on internet, Part 2 blocked in U.S.(?!).