I'm so excited I was finally able to scratch a visit to Sun Studios off of my Memphis to-do list. For music history lovers it's one of the most iconic places to make a pilgrimage to stand where some of the greats stood as they recorded hit songs that have remained relevant more than 80 years later. You can't reserve tours online and are available on a first come first serve basis and take place at the half hour mark. I arrived at about 12:15 and despite the 12:30 tour being removed as available for the tour board the employee at the front kindly let me slide into the 12:30 tour group. It's a small building but A LOT of history and memorabilia are packed into the building . The guided tour begins on the second floor where there is a small single room with musuem exhibits and items from the early days of Sun Records. After spending time here you'll be taken back downstairs to spend time in the actual recording studio. In total the tour lasted about 45 minutes and you were able to linger at the end without feeling rushed to take photos with THE microphone and soak in the energy of the space. If you're any kind of music lover you can't miss this building where so much pop culture and music history was made. read more

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This place is sorta small but it packs a punch. It has some unique memorabilia and good photo ops and a whole lotta history. Our guide was very funny and knowledgeable (and he's a musician to boot!). We did the tour and the upstairs part has a recreation of the Dewey O DJ booth which is very cool. There is even a "smash" hit record on the floor in the booth! Inside museum cases are some original equipment and posters, etc. of some of the greats signed by Sun Studio. The downstairs recording studio (still in use daily) is timeless with an original microphone and the piano that the greats once played while recording. . We got to pose with the microphone and see lots of real equipment actually used by the likes of Elvis, Sam Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, etc. And of course, some of the original recording equipment used by founder Sam Phillips. The gift shop and small bar up front are a great touch both before and after the tours. Don't miss this legendary place. read more

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For anyone who finds this post, a mere speck amidst an ocean of reviews, I need you to understand something. This is one of the greatest tours I've ever taken! For context, you have to comprehend that I've visited 82 countries, all seven continents, and countless museums and historic sites around the globe! I don't bestow these compliments lightly, because the unfortunate side effect of all that travel is that I've become almost impossible to impress. But on a rainy Saturday afternoon while walkin' in Memphis, I strolled into Sun Studio for the first time, a place I'd never visited despite a half century of living in Tennessee. It was long overdue! I entered at 10:15 a.m. shortly after the studio opened, showed my voucher that I had purchased on their website, and signed up for the 10:30 a.m. tour. And it's one of the best things I've EVER seen on all my travels which is saying something!! You can feel the spirit of rock and roll here, expertly told by our guide Krista! It really gets in your soul once you listen to the stories, hear the musical excerpts, and realize the hallowed ground upon which you stand. What other museums in Memphis lack, Sun Studio more than makes up for with just one upstairs room of exhibits that are pivotal to the development of modern music. I won't give everything away so that you're motivated to take the tour yourself. But you'll learn how Sam Phillips founded the record studio, how a broken guitar in Mississippi led to the birth of a revolutionary sound, the legendary bands who recorded here and those who were inspired by the record label. Don't miss the original neon sign from Sun Studio and a radio station set rescued from an abandoned hotel! And of course, you'll learn how a teenaged Elvis pad a few dollars for a recording session, and the employee who vouched for him before Sam Phillips realized he was the future of music! You'll also see the active studio downstairs where hundreds of legendary acts have recorded, where the same floor and acoustically designed ceiling haven't changed since the '50s! Even the same microphone that recorded all of these icons still stands in the room, perfect for tourist photo ops! Please take this tour in your lifetime!! Don't wait as long as I did!! read more

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Sun Records studio is where Rock N Roll was born! This is music history and a must stop for any fan of rock n roll. You will see authentic and replicated artifacts from one of music greatest eras. T shirts, records, stickers and so many more fun souvenirs are available to buy. The tour is about 45min and cost $20 per person. There is a "cafe" with limited options. Parking is tricky but there are a few spots accessible behind the building. read more

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Joined the Mojo Music Bus plus Sun Studio tour package and had a great time visiting Sun Studio. It's such a cool and historic place with an amazing music legacy. The staff made the tour really engaging. The storytelling and explanations were fun, informative, and full of great behind-the-scenes history. One of the highlights was getting to take a photo with Elvis Presley's legendary microphone. Definitely worth visiting if you're into music history or have friends visiting Memphis! read more

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My, how this piece of music history has aged and improved since I was a kid! This is a phenomenal and highly recommended tour. Asks bout veteran and AAA discounts if that applies to you. You will see a lot of recording history and stand in THE recording area where so many pioneering greats recorded and stood. You may already know the history, but there's nothing like living it!! Largely untouched, this is a must if you are in Memphis. read more

Sun Studio - THE Sure 55 Unidyne (if you know, you know... if you don't, take the tour)!! - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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On the grounds of the University of Tennessee, sun studio was a little tricky to find. We parked in their lot & were told the next tour is in an hour. There are only guided tours through sun studio from 10:30 until 4:30 on the hour. We purchased $18 tickets for admission. Josh led 25 of us through the exhibits playing music & pointing out photos & albums fr :30. Memphis recording service became Sun Record Company. We went downstairs to the recording studio & took photos with the instruments.. This dusty storefront is the home of American rock n/ roll. In the early 1950's Sam Phillips recorded blues artists Howlin' Wolf, BB King, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison & Elvis who started here in 1953. . read more

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What a great tour! We arrived at 1pm and were lucky enough to get into the 1:30pm tour. Our guide, Zach, clearly loves his job! He did a wonderful job explaining exhibits and history. So many big names recorded here: Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and more. The original studio space still stands. Do yourself a favor and take the tour. So much info and it's a fun time at a reasonable price :) read more

Sun Studio - Million Dollar Quartet: Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

This tour was remarkable. Particularly due to our impressive young tour guide Lydia. She has an amazing depth of knowledge about Memphis and its musical history. Related to Sun Studio and otherwise. The number of real artifacts they were able to collect here from back in the day, is astounding. The tour was peppered with music we knew, and music we've never heard before that influenced everything. The story of Sun Records was told in a compelling and informative way. At the very end, we got to stand exactly where Elvis stood, and we got to hold the mic that Elvis and all the other amazing vocalists all the way up to Bono used. When it was given to Sun Studio from the Sam Phillips estate, the agreement was that it wouldn't be behind glass. Fans would be able to touch it. Respect. We are staying in a lovely rental that has tons of memorabilia about Memphis music. There was one band that we did not recognize in a framed photo. ChatGPT and Google AI were not able to identify the band. But guess who could? Lydia! It was Big Star. A Memphis band from the 70s, with Alex Chilton. I'm gonna call it. The Sun Studio tour was better than the Graceland tour. Thanks, Lydia! (the rest of the staff was also great!) read more

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Thoroughly enjoyed the museum and all of the nostalgia. Exciting to stand in the same studio as Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, BB King, Johnny Cash and more. The audio tracks were a cool addition. A must visit for history and music buffs. read more

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The Sun Studio tour was very cool and I'm jealous that my friends don't get to see this piece of history. The tour guide did a great job with enthusiasm. I feel lucky to have been there and to have stood in the same recording studio as famous musicians have. read more

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The birth place of Rock & Roll! I really never appreciated how this place gave birth to the music genre we now love until I did the tour. If you're a lover of Elvis, this is definitely something you shouldn't miss! If you like U2 then definitely visit this place to learn more about how the band helped revive this place! Hurley, our cool tour guide, made it extra special by adding his local flare to the tour. Adding bits and pieces of the past and how it has affected the present and the current community since he's a local! Overall a tour you can't miss! Enjoyable for the whole family! read more

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Sun Studio was opened by Sam Phillips in early 1950 as Memphis Recording Service and played a major role in blues, R&B, and rock and roll music during the 1950s by launching the careers of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Howlin' Wolf. Sam later moved Sun Studio's operations up the street to a larger space in 1959 and the building welcomed other tenants including a laundromat and a sporting goods equipment retailer. In 1987, ten years after Elvis' (purported?) death, Sun Studio was mildly restored to its former glory and reopened by Gary Hardy as a working studio, small museum gallery, and merch/coffee shop. The building is truly hallowed ground for blues, R&B, and rock and roll fans and, while visitors enter the building through the merch and coffee shop, the experience has a more authentic, grittier feel than some of the other music-focused museums in Memphis and Nashville. Tickets for the guided tour are reasonable at $20 for adults over 18; $18 for teens 12 to 18; and $15 for children under 12 as of September 2025. The guided tour lasts a little more than 45 minutes, starting in the museum on the 2nd floor displaying artifacts from the early days of Sun Studio and Sun Records - including the preserved disc jockey booth from Memphis' WHBQ-AM which was the first station to broadcast an Elvis recording on the radio and was moved from its historic spot in the lobby of the Hotel Chisca as it was being renovated in 2014. From the museum, the tour moves back down to the 1st floor into the historic and still-functioning recording studio which has hosted rock and roll royalty from Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm and the Million Dollar Quartet of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash to U2, Def Leppard, John Mellencamp, and Chris Isaak. The tour ends with an exit back through the gift shop, where you can purchase a variety of Sun Studio merch as well as vintage vinyl. Overall, the Sun Studio tour was a good experience and definitely a 'must see' if you're visiting Memphis. PRO TIP #1: Free parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the building. The entrance to the parking lot is BEHIND the building and the closest street address is 745 Monroe Avenue, Memphis. PRO TIP #2: Want to make your own record or just jam by yourself or your band in this historic space? You can make a reservation to rent the studio after 6pm for $200/hour with a 5-hour minimum for bands and 3-hour minimum for vocalists. Check the website for details on booking a reservation. read more

Sun Studio - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Great to experience what I have only seen in pictures. Small and short tour, but if you love the history it is a must see. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, fun, and answered all our questions. read more

Had a wonderful time and our guide Drew was awesome going through all the history at Sun Studio. Pictures were very cool and all the memorabilia they had here was so nice to see. I knew the music but had no idea the amount I was going to see recorded here at this legendary studio. read more

Cut and pasted from their website: "Sun Studio is known worldwide as "The Birthplace of Rock'n'roll." It is the discovery location of musical legends and genres of the 50's from B.B. King and Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis; from Blues and Gospel to Country and Rock'n'roll." Quality/Quantity - What a fun piece of history. We spent over an hour just hanging out and reading all that history. And yes, I am an Elvis fan. And yes, I was an Elvis impersonator once in HI. What great memories. Got here right after a bus load of tourists, see picture. So tours were booked up for the next few hours, too bad we could not wait. Atmosphere - Tiny studio, not like what they have these days. And yes, they are still an active recording studio. After all the tours were done for the day. Open 7 days a week from 10am to 5:15pm. Street parking, not a problem as most people take rideshare or come by bus. So many souvenirs to buy, plus there is another gift shop next door with more souvenirs. See other review. Service - 5 stars, very welcoming. Price - $20 for adults, $18 for students, and $15 for kids. Owner Comment - Congrats on your continued success. read more

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To be honest was not sure what to think of this museum, but after the tour...WOW!!!! The history in this studio is crazy, the music that was made totally transformed the music scene for generations. My favorite part being a former radio announcer was the equipment displayed. To be in the same building as people like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and others was very humbling read more

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Sun Studio is a must-see if you are visiting Memphis. It is both a museum by day and an active record studio by night. The draw is mostly related to Elvis and the influence Sun Studios played in the growth of Rock N' Roll. Be sure to show up early in the day to secure the time slot for a tour later in the day. There does not seem to be a free shuttle to get to the studio, but it's walkable from the downtown area--or rent a scooter! The price as a standalone ticket is a bit much, but there is a "Backstage Pass" that provides 20% savings for 4 popular Memphis music attractions--Sun Studio is one of those locations! The tour itself is very short (slightly less than an hour). Not being a huge Elvis fan, I was more intrigued with some of the other history and appreciated my audio engineer husband filling in some gaps about the equipment. There was more of an emphasis on the gift shop which was pretty large and had tons of neat merch. I did end up buying some souvenirs with the Sun Studio logo! However, I left feeling like I needed to do more research on the history of the studio itself. I still recommend a visit to Sun Studio to get the full Memphis experience! read more

I've been by the outside of the museum in years past - but I'm sure glad I took the time to do the actual tour. This place is really neat and so worth the ~$20 tour price. The museum has all sorts of original artifacts. They do a great job of highlight Sam Phillips and all the past artist to get their start at Sun Studios. Once you get to the original studio area itself, this space s virtually all original and as it was back in the day. Literally, the same floor tile. The original acoustical tile entombs the place. And to think, artist still come in at night etc, to record music in the studio. And hats off to our tour guide lady. An artist herself, her passion really came thru as she talked on our tour. read more

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We had a great time on this tour. The people working in the front of the museum were delightful and our guide was entertaining and informative. It was very interesting. Be sure and arrive on time as the tours are on the half hour and I'm told can fill up (although ours didn't). You can't buy tickets online. read more

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The tour of Sun Studios was great, as the tour guide told many stories that came from that place - as if he was there! (He wasn't, haha) There's a lot of pros and cons about this historical landmark...like they only do tours at the top of every hour. I do have to side with one of the previous recent reviewers that they crammed too many people in one room, which was the case with me. But they do give you plenty of time to look around each room. And they give you the opportunity to pose with THE microphone. They have all the original Sun record pressings on display, which are worth 1000s of dollars. You are allowed to take as many photos as you like, as long as it isn't flash. I thought $20 was a bit much for the tour but inflation is just that. As for the parking, it is very tricky as you have to horseshoe around some buildings to get behind Sun Studios - and once you're there you'll find out it is limited and narrow. Which wasn't really an issue with me but probably will be for some people. They do have plenty of souvenirs, including lots of vinyl as well as whatever it is you collect - be it shot glasses, stickers, shirts and magnets. read more

Sun Studio - Yelling at the microphone - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Awesome experience getting to stand where history happened. You will be amazed at the memorabilia and the tour guide's knowledge

Come and enjoy music history. I always recommend people who visit Memphis to stop in and learn more about the beginnings of music greats. Even if you live in Memphis, it's important to come here at least once a year and support a local spot. read more

Sun Studio - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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After coming here right after touring the Stax museum this experience was a bit disappointing. They only hold tours every hour but the bigger issue is that they cram way too many people into each tour. The studio spaces are way too small to have 30 plus people on a tour. It made it hard to see the displays on the second floor. $20 for a 35 minute tour was not worth it though the tour guide himself was very good and did a nice job. The history and the content is all very interesting it was just uncomfortably crowded. They should consider doing tours of half this size every half hour. We toured Motown in Detroit which is also a small space and they did an excellent job managing the experience. Also the parking is pretty limited. read more

Sun Studio - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

If you are at Memphis stop by here recommended Sun Studio is a recording studio opened by rock-and-roll pioneer It was originally called Memphis Recording Service, The Sun label that was housed within the studio played a large role in Elvis Presley's early career. read more

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Liz rocks! Memorable and vivid experience of where and how the magic happened. Exact equipment, location, and stories of the rocky start of Rock and Roll. read more

This tour was good. The tour guide was very informational (talked really fast) and I loved learning things that I did not know such as who Elvis' inspiration was in music. And also the lady that worked at the studio Marion and how basically she was the one who originally greeted Elvis at the studio and pushed the studio owner to take on Elvis. Being in that same studio is pretty cool as well. read more

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This was a great tour that we truly enjoyed, mostly because of our tour guide Graham! We were warmly welcomed by the worker at the register when we first walked in. The feeling that they were glad we were there persisted. Graham was personable, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and fun. We learned a lot and were very impressed with the history of the studio. We would highly recommend. read more

No trip to Memphis, Tennessee would be complete without a trip to Sun Studio. This is the birthday of rock & roll and where legend has it that an unknown truck driver paid to record a song for his mother as a gift. That truck driver was Elvis Presley. Sun Studio has a great tour. It is not a huge place by any means, but the tour is fun and informative and it is so vool.when you are in the recording studio to realize that in so many ways, you are standing in a place where rock and roll was born. They have a lot of merchandise here and I do recommend grabbing a T-shirt. I have a few Sun Studio T-shirts and these T-shirts have received a lot of compliments and started some great conversations. The staff is friendly and the tour guide on my tour was great. If you are in Memphis, Tennessee, you have to stop by this iconic place. This humble little place literally changed the world by bringing us a new musical sound and changed the musical landscape. Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash all graced these walls, as did so many other musicians. Go check it out. read more

Sun Studio - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

It was a very good experience and I will be definitely returning. The tour guides are very wonderful and interesting. They really know how to keep your attention. Especially the guy in the photo with the overalls. read more

Sun Studio - Very good experience - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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What's not to love with this studio? Music history wise, was worth visiting! We were there as the last stop for our Memphis downtown tour and the most enjoyable 50 minutes we had for that day. Our guide is very knowledgeable and had the best presentation experience ever. The place is small but full of history and soul! Go check it out when you are here. read more

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What an incredible museum and tour! Sun Studio is the home of so many legends, it's worth visiting just to be able to step in the building. The tour is great, though- the tour guide brings the history of the studio to life. He also adds in audio clips of different songs, which really help you understand the impact of different musicians. It's not a huge building, but the tour takes about 45 minutes with the great information from the tour guide. The highlight is the end of the tour, where you get to hold the microphone that so many incredible artists recorded songs with. Don't miss this music tour when in Memphis! read more

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Amazing tour of the history of rock-n-roll! Highly recommend this tour and spending time here. Currently, the tour includes an original sample of Elvis's first ever recording. If you come in summer, be prepared, it's hot! read more

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It has been said that "If music was a religion, then Memphis would be Jerusalem and Sun Studio its most holy shrine." In 1954, an unknown Elvis Presley, grabbed a mic and sang his heart out making Sun the most famous recording studio in the world. I was able to take a guided tour through the birthplace of rock 'n' roll where you are able to experience outtakes from recording sessions, touch Elvis' first microphone and hear the real story of the studio that launched the careers of not only Elvis Presley, but Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, and many others that signed with the Sun label. Excellent and VERY informative tour of historic Sun recording studio, full of anecdotes about Elvis Presley, B.B.King, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and a bunch of well-known performers from the Sam Phillips' days in the '50s and '60s. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone who likes music of the early days of rock and roll and the history of that era and its musicians !!! Sam Phillips opened Sun Studio in 1950 with the goal of capturing the pure, raw energy of Beale Street. It produced the first rock 'n' roll single: Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats' version of "Rocket 88" in 1951 and continues as an active recording business for many notable artists including U2, Def Leppard, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Paul Simon, Margo Price and many more. read more

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The tour was interesting and gave a lot of history. I love when tour guides love their jobs and the tour guide at Sun Studios was happy to be there and his attitude made it easy to listen. The only thing I would say is, it's a bit expensive for 30 minutes. read more

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Totally worth visiting! The gift shop was really cool, and I got my favorite emotional support zip up hoodie here. The guys at the register were really cool and friendly. The wait for a tour was really long and filled with loud Boomers carrying giant Bedazzled Elvis purses, which was an experience in itself. read more

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A quaint little museum space and a lovely tour. If you have an hour to spare during your trip to Memphis, I would highly suggest you stop in for a visit. The gift shop was stocked, the coffee smelled delicious, and the tour guide was knowledgeable, passionate, and fun. The artifacts are well preserved and the space is beautiful. Would highly recommend a visit! read more

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I really loved Sun Studios. Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. You could really see how much he enjoyed his job. I love the history and I'm hoping to be back soon. read more

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Lydia's tour was fantastic. Although the actual exhibits are kind of limited because of space, she well makes up for it. She's very knowledgeable enthusiastic and she's also recording engineer. Studio is actually being used in the evenings to record. I'm definitely glad that we decided to take the tour. read more

We had one full day in Memphis before we had to keep on keepin' on to the west. After a very solemn and moving experience at the National Civil Rights Museum in the AM, our family visited Sun Studios to catch the 3 PM tour. Mrs. Picante is a huge Buddy Holly fan-- we've been to Lubbock, TX to see his grave, she's got the ring tone on the phone... yeah, I like the music, but I don't get it either. Still, we both grew up in homes where the music of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison, and a hundred other artists was a part of daily life, so being here in Sun Studios where so many of those folks recorded was nothing short of pilgrimage. The tour guide was equally obsessed with music and music history, and that's what you want in a tour guide at a place like this! The walls were covered with all sorts of albums, photos, and memorabilia. As the tour progressed through the building, we visited a couple of different rooms with lots of artifacts about the history of Sun Studios. The last stop on the tour was the recording studio and booth where dozens of world famous musicians got their start. Throughout the tour, the guide played clips of different musicians connected to Sun Studios, including several rare tracks I had never heard before. Fun stuff. On the way out, we bought a couple of t shirts and a sticker for the camper. I enjoyed the tour, the photo ops of the kids, and seeing all the famous guitars just sitting there in the studio on the racks. For me, seeing it once was enough for a lifetime, but if you like that good old timey music, or if you really liked the movie Walk the Line, this is definitely worth 90 minutes of your time. read more

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