Following is a press release from the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. A press conference was held at Sun Studio today.

MEMPHIS TO LEAD NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF ROCK 'n' ROLL

WORLD-RENOWNED MUSICIANS JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, B.B. KING, ISAAC HAYES, AND SCOTTY MOORE TO SPEARHEAD EFFORT

On July 5, 1954, Elvis Presley recorded his first record, “That’s All Right,” at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis…and rock 'n' roll took off. To commemorate that event and its global impact, Memphis will mark the 50th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll in 2004 with a yearlong celebration of rock music and the many streams of music that converged in Memphis to create a truly American sound known throughout the world.

To lead this major initiative, Memphis Mayor Willie W. Herenton has appointed world-renowned musicians Justin Timberlake, B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, and Scotty Moore to serve as Musical Ambassadors for Memphis.

Justin Timberlake, the award-winning solo musician and original member of the multi-platinum *NSYNC, was born and raised in Memphis, where his family still lives. Said Timberlake: “The many sounds of Memphis shaped my early musical career and continue to be an inspiration to this day. I am proud to be part of this effort to honor the legacy of rock ‘n’ roll and Memphis’ place in its history and future.”

B.B. King, a legendary figure in American music and one of the greatest guitarists ever, is also synonymous with Beale Street, where he has been a leading presence for decades. “The blues and rock ‘n’ roll have always been closely connected, feeding off one another,” said King. “It’s that mixing of styles that has made Memphis such a fertile ground for musicians.”

Isaac Hayes, renowned as the Academy Award-winning composer of the musical score to the movie “Shaft,” began his career writing and performing hit songs, including “Soul Man” for Sam and Dave, at Stax Records in Memphis. “I’m delighted to be a part of this national celebration,” said Hayes. “Rock ‘n’ roll began in Memphis, and the city continues to be a focal point of enormous musical creativity today.”

Scotty Moore, recently named one of the 50 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, played lead guitar for Elvis Presley on all of his Sun Records recordings as well as such subsequent #1 hits as “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog.” Said Moore: “Having played lead guitar for Elvis’ 1954 recording of “That’s All Right,” it’s a thrill for me to be a part of this historic celebration.”

For the anniversary, Memphis will host a series of major events throughout the year. One of the highlights of the 50th Anniversary celebration will occur on July 5 – 50 years to the day when Elvis’ “That’s All Right” was recorded. On July 5, 2004, Memphis will be the focal point for a “Global Moment in Time” – a moment at which radio stations across the world will be encouraged to simultaneously play “That’s All Right.” This will hopefully mark the largest playing of a single song at the same moment in history.

Additional events planned for 2004 are outlined below; other events and opportunities will evolve in the coming months:

- “Countdown on Beale” on New Year’s Eve will focus on the 50th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll and serve as the kick-off event for the celebration throughout 2004.

- Elvis’ birthday is January 8, and there will be a number of events surrounding this day next year.

- Other major events and activities in Memphis on July 5th will draw attention to Sun Studio on that historic day.

- Elvis Week occurs August 7-16, 2004, and it will be themed around the 50th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

- FedExForum, Memphis’ new arena and home to the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA, opens its doors in September 2004. FedExForum will be a state-of-the-art, 18,000+ seat, sports and entertainment venue, which will feature a uniquely Memphis music theme.

Memphis is known worldwide as the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll” – with close to 20 percent of the earliest inductees in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame having come from within a 100-mile radius of Memphis.

In addition to Sun Studio, Memphis is home to many other musical landmarks that add to its powerful history – the Stax Recording Studio, where Otis Redding recorded his famous “Dock of the Bay" and now home to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music; Graceland, the Home of Elvis Presley; the famous Orpheum Theatre; Beale Street, the musical entertainment district and home of the famous B.B. King’s Blues Club; the popular Gibson Guitar Factory, and the Smithsonian Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, which showcases the chronology of the rebellious talent that helped shape the sounds of Memphis.

“Memphis Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll” is a campaign conceived by Kevin Kane, longtime Memphis businessman and current President of the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kane will serve as the Chairman of “Memphis Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” For more information, please visit: www.50yearsrocknroll.com.

A kickoff press event will be held in New York City at the Hard Rock Café in January.