John Fry Biography

Fast Facts

• Was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2014, just one month before his death
• Founded Ardent Records as a small record label based out of his grandmother's sewing room in the 1950s
• After spending several years producing independent garage rock singles, he launched Ardent Records' first commercial studio in 1966
• Quote: "Your moods are affected by your surroundings․ I think there is something that operates in Memphis and at Ardent․ I can't explain what it is․ You come record here, something good happens to you․"
• Ardent Records produced sessions for artists like Bob Dylan, The White Stripes, ZZ Top and Led Zeppelin
• Best known as a record producer who worked with the band Big Star and as the founder of Ardent Records
• Was the executive producer of the documentary "Nothing Can Hurt Me: The Big Star Story" in 2013