Million Dollar Quartet

How would you like to go back in history at one of the most important events in rock n’ roll history? Now you can with Million Dollar Quartet, a musical about the legendary jam session that happened in 1956 with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.

As the official website for Million Dollar Quartet states, “This thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio with four major talents who came together as a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band for one unforgettable night. Don’t miss your chance to be a fly on the wall of fame…” Not to mention being a fly on the wall for an incredible event very few were privileged to witness and hear.

A Once In a Lifetime Event

The Million Dollar Quartet came together on December 4, 1956 at Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, where Elvis made history laying down his first recordings. Carl Perkins, the man who gave us Blue Suede Shoes, was there first, then Elvis came by in the afternoon, then Johnny Cash stopped by; so did “the Killer,” Jerry Lee Lewis.

When Sun Records was purchased in 1969, there was over 10,000 hours of tape to sift through, including the Million Dollar Quartet jam. Some of what was recorded that day came out in 1981, and more came out in 1987, 1990, and 2006. Reportedly 95% of the material from that day has been recovered and released.

From the Studio Vaults to the Stage

Million Dollar Quartet was written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, and both writers know their rock n’ roll history well. Mutrux was a Hollywood screenwriter for many years, co-writing the first Cheech and Chong film, Up In Smoke, and he also wrote the acclaimed beginning of rock n’ roll movie American Hot Wax, as well as the harrowing drama American Me.

After many years of ups and downs in Hollywood, Mutrux found incredible freedom writing for the stage he didn’t have writing for the screen. His co-writer, Colin Escott, has written the books Good Rockin’ Tonight and The Complete Hank Williams.

Million Dollar Quartet debuted in Florida, where it was a hit and reportedly broke box office records. Then it went on to Chicago, then went to Broadway in 2010. Reviewers have called it “a buoyant new jukebox musical about a hallowed day in the history of rock n’ roll,” “the most exuberant theatrical event I’ve experienced all year,” and “Million Dollar Quartet puts its authentic rock music front and center.

Million Dollar Quartet was nominated for three Tonys: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (it won for Best Featured Actor).