(Fame!)
I’m gonna live forever
I’m gonna learn how to fly
(High!)

Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford

Most artists long for eternal fame, desiring to rise above their circumstances to maximize their full potential. Being acknowledged is critical. Count me in. Frankly, any artist who doesn’t secretly long for fame is a four on the Pinocchio scale. A recent visit to Memphis, Tennessee, got me thinking about the elusive search for acclaim.

FAME AND THE MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

My daughters and I visited Sun Studio, known as the Birthplace of Rock’n’Roll, having discovered B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

The story that fascinated me the most was about the Million Dollar Quartet. On December 4, 1956, Elvis, Johnny, Jerry Lee, and Carl Perkins just happened to be at the studio at the same time. Elvis had just signed with RCA, Johnny had a few hits on the country charts, and Carl had the hit, Blue Suede Shoes, on his hands. Jerry Lee was, at that point, unknown outside Memphis. His first single would be released a few days later.

Eventually, the four gathered in the recording studio, turning their meeting into an impromptu jam session. The session was clandestinely recorded (Elvis was under contract with a different studio), and reporters were called to witness the event and take pictures. The article was entitled “Million Dollar Quartet.” (Note: the recordings have since been released.)

CARL PERKINS AND HIS QUEST FOR FAME

Why didn’t Carl Perkins reach the same level of fame as the other quartet members?

Carl and his brother Jay were in a devastating car wreck that kept them from performing live on the Perry Como Show in March 1956. Elvis was called in to cover for him on other shows. In fact, Elvis sang Carl Perkins’ Blue Suede Shoes on national television at least three times while Perkins recuperated, and the song was in the #1 spot on Elvis’s first album. Jay died in 1958.

By this time, Carl entered into depression and alcoholism, his humble nature unable to compete with Elvis’s overwhelming personality and good looks.

Carl still found musical admiration writing successful songs for other artists such as Elvis, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Ricky Nelson, and Eric Clapton.  He performed with Johnny Cash from 1965 to 1976, and was eventually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Additionally, his recording of “Blue Suede Shoes” was included in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

OTHER INGREDIENTS NECESSARY FOR FAME

Artsology, in discussing fame, states:

There’s no single recipe for becoming a famous artist, but patterns do exist. Strong work is one piece of the puzzle. Strategic placement is another. Being in the right city can help, especially if it’s a major cultural center like New York, Berlin, or Tokyo. But even more important is how consistently and widely you share your work.

Persistence matters. Artists who stick with their practice over time—even when recognition is slow—often build a deeper and more meaningful career. Timing helps, too. Sometimes, an artist’s work aligns perfectly with cultural shifts, making it more relevant and more shareable. These combined forces—skill, visibility, connection, and timing—shape who rises and who doesn’t.

Additionally, Artsology points out that social media can boost your fame in the short term but does not necessarily guarantee lasting recognition.

When touring Graceland, I was amazed at how hard Elvis’s manager, Colonel Parker, worked to get publicity for the King. I saw film clips of Elvis going into the military in 1958, just two years after his career took off. Parker arranged to have the press present when he arrived at camp for his swearing-in, was sworn in, received a GI haircut, and was issued his uniform. Parker undoubtedly knew the importance of keeping Elvis visible.

LAST THOUGHTS ABOUT FAME

While fame will most likely elude me, I take solace in knowing I have made a positive impact on others’ lives. And that’s enough for me.

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