4th December 1956 is one of the most famous dates in music history. It is the date that rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins jammed together in Sun Records Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.

The jam session that spawned a new era of rock ‘n’ roll music happened by chance. At the time, Carl Perkins had already had a hit record with Blue Suede Shoes, and was visiting the recording studio to record some new songs. Sam Phillips, who owned Sun Records, introduced Perkins to Jerry Lee Lewis who would be playing piano for the songs Perkins was recording. Later on in the afternoon, world famous Elvis Presley entered with his girlfriend and listened to what Perkins and Lewis had been recording and decided to join in, and Johnny Cash would join in soon after.

The four would use their similar gospel influences to create songs that are still loved to this day. The recording session would become an iconic moment in music history, with the four of them being dubbed the “Million Dollar Quartet”.

Following its success in the West End, Las Vegas and on Broadway, Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life live on stage in a new UK touring production arriving at Birmingham Hippodrome from Mon 24 – Sat 29 October.

Featuring a score of classic rock ‘n’ roll hits including Blue Suede Shoes, Fever, That’s All Right, Sixteen Tons, Great Balls of Fire, Walk the Line, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, Who Do You Love?, Matchbox, Folsom Prison Blues, Hound Dog and many more, this high-energy, hit musical stars Jason Donovan as legendary record producer, Sam Phillips alongside a cast of four major, musical talents who – together – perfectly capture the spirit of the iconic jamming session that brought together four founding fathers of American rock ‘n’ roll for one night only!

Ahead of the show’s arrival in Birmingham from 24-29 October, we caught up with local star Matt Wycliffe, who plays Carl Perkins in the show, to find out more about what to expect from the show and to delve deeper into Birmingham’s own hidden musical heritage…

Tell us about your character, Carl Perkins…

Carl Perkins is one of the fore-fathers of rock ‘n’ roll and, perhaps most famously – the man behind the song ‘Blue Suede Shoes’. Carl Perkins successfully auditioned for Sun Records in 1954, and soon after this, his nationwide success began. Despite being from a poor family, he was a determined musician from a young age

His best known song is undoubtedly “Blue Suede Shoes” – which was supposedly inspired by seeing a man getting angry at his date for scuffing up his shoes whilst dancing. Of course, it was Elvis Presley who found fame with the song…an issue which is hotly contested in the show! Apparently, The Beatles were heavily influenced by Carl Perkins’ work too. Paul McCartney was even quoted saying “if there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles…

On the day that Carl Perkins was recording “Matchbox” at Sun Records, Elvis Presley also visited the recording studio, along with Jerry lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. It was there that they ended up having an iconic jam session…hence the show, Million Dollar Quartet.

Is there anything in particular you’re doing to prepare for this role?

Playing lots and lots of guitar mainly and listening to a lot of music from the era, of course. I’ve played a lot of rock ‘n’ roll in my career so I’m quite familiar with that style anyway. I’ve watched a lot of footage of Carl Perkins in performance to make sure I get all of the guitar parts note for note. Authenticity is key!

What was the first musical instrument you learnt to play?

I played the recorder when I was 4! I remember I forgot it once when I was at school so wasn’t allowed at recorder practise with everyone else. I had Velcro on my shoes as a child so I started using it as a rhythmic device…and they got confiscated. My first, real instrument was the violin. My uncle was a phenomenal violin player and I was really inspired by him as a child. I also picked up the piano as a kid and would just hammer away at it. I play a lot of Boogie Woogie and Jazz, Rock ‘n’ Roll piano – that’s my passion. And then, from there, I found the guitar! When I was 22, I auditioned for ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ and successfully won the role of Buddy and ended up playing him for about 2 ½ years and got really good at the guitar!

Do you have a favourite songs from the era?

There are so many classics but, if I had to choose, I’d go for a Buddy Holly song! It’s also my favourite song to play. It’s called “Rock Around with Ollie Vee” and it’s got a great riff to it. It’s a really cool little number.

Which part of Birmingham did you grow up in?

I grew up in Kings Heath and Moseley village.

What music do you remember listening to as a teenager growing up in Birmingham and are there any particular music venues that you remember attending in the city?

I listened to a huge variety of music growing up. There’s an incredibly vibrant music scene in Birmingham and everyone I knew was in a band of some sort! My dad used to play bands like Queen and Meatloaf on the record player and my brother and I (and my Dad!) used to jump around playing air-guitar in the living room! I was brought up on rock ’n’ roll; Queen, Meatloaf, Bowie, Zeppelin, the Stones…I was hugely into Aerosmith when I was a teenager too, but I also listened to a lot of jazz – specifically Oscar Peterson on the piano. He’s one of my musical heroes. I saw him at the Royal Albert Hall before he died and he was absolutely incredible. 50’s rock ‘n’ roll, Buddy Holly and Ska were all regular features of my playlist growing up too but really anything piano based tickled my ivories!

My music teacher at A-Level, Richard Rogers (AKA Rickie Cool and the Icebergs) hugely influenced the music I listen to today. He was also responsible for teaching me to play the harmonica as well. He still gigs regularly in Birmingham now. He introduced me to an amazing piano player called Danny (‘Ivory Dan’) McCormack who was playing with Birmingham band King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys at the time and became my teacher. So boogie-woogie piano became my big passion. I went and watched the Biscuit Boys as much as I could and Rickie Cool took us regularly to gigs at places like the Jam House so I got introduced to players such as Mike Sanchez who was just wild on the piano.

Unfortunately a lot of the venues I used to go to have been shut down because of luxury apartments being built nearby. The Jug of Ale in Kings Heath/Moseley was a regular haunt. The Prince of Wales in Moseley used to have live music too. A family friend opened a fantastic venue called the Fiddle and Bone in town by the canal but again, luxury apartments and ‘noise complaints’ caused it to be shut down. A real shame!

The world-famous Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath is still going strong though!

Can you remember the first record you ever bought?

Bought? Probably ‘Pump’ by Aerosmith. Although my first memory of really listening to music and paying attention to all the different instruments and their roles was undoubtedly a tape of Oscar Peterson and his trio that my uncle gave me.

What is the first show you remember seeing at Birmingham Hippodrome?

I think it was Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Or it may have been the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Something involving fancy clothing of some kind anyway…

Have you performed in your home town before? Is this your first time performing on Birmingham Hippodrome stage?

As a teenager I was part of a fantastic theatre company called Stage 2 which is run by Liz Light. We used to do four shows a year at the MAC so I’ve performed quite a lot really! Shows like Dr Faustus, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Godspell. Stage 2 is brilliant. Professionally though, this is my first time ever at Birmingham Hippodrome and I’m really looking forward to it!

What are you most looking forward to about visiting your hometown on tour?

Seeing my family and friends. It’s always nice to be playing in a city where you know lots of people.

Also going to my own bed every night is lovely! I’m looking forward to showing the cast around the city too. Birmingham has a lot going on when you know where to look!

We’re planning a Cadbury world trip and hopefully a few other days out. I’ve just recorded a rock ’n’ roll album where I sing and play all the instruments myself (it’s available at www.mattwycliffe.com as a digital download and for sale on CD front of house at the theatre or from me in person!) I also produced it and did all the artwork too. To celebrate this I’m HOPING to put on a gig in Birmingham somewhere and also some extra-curricular gigs with some of the cast and local musicians too, so watch this space!

What’s the most enjoyable thing about being involved in ‘Million Dollar Quartet’?

The company! Every single person is just great fun, incredibly talented and very, very grounded. There isn’t a bad apple in the bunch, although they do say that every company has one and if you don’t know who it is… it’s probably you! Ha!

But aside from that, the music is electric! We all play live and without meaning to sound cheesy, it’s just magic. That’s the ingredient that a lot of shows lack. ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ delivers with a hefty dose of rock ’n’ roll from four of the biggest, most prolific artists in the genre and we play so many more of the hit rock ’n’ roll songs that everyone knows – ALL live. Guitar, Piano, Double Bass. There’s no click tracks here!

Why should people come and see Million Dollar Quartet?

I think people should come and see ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ because – if you’re a fan of 50s rock – you’re going to hear some of the best songs of that era played live by a fantastic group of musicians. Music aside for a minute, it’s also a really great story, based on a real-life episode in history. The show offers a fascinating snapshot of the era that created some of rock ‘n’ roll’s biggest names. Sam Phillips’ contribution to musical history really was ground-breaking so – whilst audiences may think they know the songs – they won’t necessarily know the stories behind them.

If you had to describe the show in three words, what would they be?

Energetic, nostalgic, electric!

Million Dollar Quartet runs at Birmingham Hippodrome Monday 24 – Saturday 29 October 2016. Perf times: Mon – Sat Eves 7.30pm, Weds Mat 2pm, Sat Mat 2.30pm.  Tickets: from £14.00, book online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (cost 4.5p/min plus your phone company’s access charge, 5% transaction fee applies).