Carl Lee Perkins by Knox Music/Hill and Range Songs of New York. The "Matchbox" recording session is historically significant as a milestone in rock and roll history because later that day, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Lewis were all in the Sun Studio with Sam Phillips with Carl Perkins and his band. The impromptu group formed at this jam session became known as the Million Dollar Quartet. Carl Perkins performed the song on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee on February 2, 1957. Perkins and his band also performed the song on the syndicated TV show Ranch Party hosted by Tex Ritter in 1957. There was also a promo ad for the release of the Sun single in Billboard magazine. The Beatles' rendition The Beatles were fans of Perkins and performed "Matchbox" during their shows in 1961 and 1962. The song served as the vocal spot for their drummer, Pete Best, until his sacking in August 1962, at which point John Lennon took over as lead singer. A live version from December that year was included on the 1977 album Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962. In July 1963, the Beatles performed "Matchbox" with Ringo Starr, Best's replacement, on lead vocals for their BBC radio show Pop Go the Beatles. This version was included on the 1994 compilation Live at the BBC. Starr also sang lead vocals when the band recorded the song for their Long Tall Sally EP in 1964. Perkins was visiting London and was invited to observe the session on June 1. Starr later recalled feeling "very embarrassed" because he had a bad throat; two days later, he was hospitalized with acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis, resulting in him missing the start of the Beatles' world tour. The band were supplemented on the recording by producer George Martin, who played piano. In his commentary on the track, author Ian MacDonald dismisses the Beatles' performance as "flat-footed", adding that, as a keen student of Perkins' guitar playing, only George Harrison demonstrates "any motivation" in his contribution. "Matchbox" was released in the UK on June 19 as the final track on Long Tall Sally. In the US, it instead appeared on the Capitol Records album Something New in July, before being issued on a single, backed by "Slow Down", on August 24. "Matchbox" peaked at number 17 on three record charts: in the U.S., on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash