POSTED: 11 FEBRUARY 2011

Recreating rock's ultimate jam session*

On 4 December 1956 four of America’s top recording artists — Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins — met by chance in a Tennessee recording studio and engaged in an electrifying jam session that has attained legendary status.

Faithfully retold in this all-Australian show, The Ultimate Rock ’n’ Roll Jam Session stars James Blundell, with special guests Nick Barker, Doug Parkinson and introducing Ezra Lee, backed by the Sun Studio Trio (Steve Hadley, Dave Folley and Shannon Bourne),

By combining stories and songs, The Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Jam Session recreates what happened when these mega-stars came together at Sun Studios in Memphis for the first and only time.

It was pure chance that that the four men were in the tiny Tennessee recording studio at the same time and, being musicians, it was perhaps inevitable that they indulged in some music making.

Producing and recording some of the best music ever heard, this impromptu jam session went on for hours as they competed with each other, comparing riffs and making a beautiful racket, just making music for its own sake

Ghost Riders in the Sky, Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel, Great Balls of Fire, Don’t Be Cruel and See You Later, Alligator are just some of the massive hits that are performed in the two hour show.

The Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Jam Session will take over the Sydney Opera House’s Playhouse from 14–27 February for 14 shows as part of Summer at the House.

*Based on media release issued by the Sydney Opera House.