What Impact Did Elvis Have On America Essay

Elvis Presley is known to be an iconic figure in American history. He is notoriously remembered by many for his reign over the Rock ‘n’ Roll genre, his looks, dance moves, and style. His influences varied from different African American blues artists and many other popular artists during his prime in the 1950’s. Although Elvis was loved and admired by many, many don’t know the true history and impact Elvis had on America. He was an eager American who participated in the United States army and even expressed his desire to become a federal agent to President Nixon. When thinking about the impact Elvis had on America as a whole, it is evident that he was a true asset to shaping America’s rebelliousness within the adolescent community, and changing music forever.

Influences from popular African American blues artist were noted to have had a huge impact on Elvis’ music career. Although many people today claim that Elvis had initially ‘stolen’ the African American sound of blues, Elvis has never denied their impact on his career. He has always acknowledged and respected the fact that African Americans had been making a similar sound of music prior to the beginning of his career. Despite the assumptions made about this ‘stealing’ of sound, the interviews Elvis appeared in substantiated the fact that he wasn’t intentionally stealing their sound, instead incorporating it in music his own way. The fact that white covers of African American songs often outsold the original kept America segregated and created competition between the two races when instead, music should have helped create peace and respect within both