Memphis was the summit of success for many singers, and a jumping-off point for others. Roy Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas, and grew up in Wink. He went to North Texas State to study geology, but after seeing Elvis in concert in Dallas, it was another type of rock altogether that had his attention. He left behind the country and western swing direction of his first band, the Wink Westerners, and started another called the Teen Kings. Johnny Cash shared a bill with that band, and suggested Roy contact Sam Phillips at Sun Records.
