Who is the real king of rock and roll? That is a question asked by many people,
especially fans of rock and roll. Elvis Presley was and is the king. He had amazing talent and kept
everyone listening. Elvis crossed money, social and cultural barriers with his music. He was
popular in and crossed over several music genres, creating his own style termed rockabilly. He
took rock music to a different level, making it all his own and became the undisputed king of rock
and roll spanning decades with music, movies, concerts, television appearances.
Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, January 8, 1935. He had a twin
brother who was still born. He was born and raised in a two room home built by his father. He
received a guitar
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In 1948, the Presleys moved to Memphis, Tennessee hoping to make a better life. Elvis
enrolled in L.C. Humes High School.
It was in Memphis that Elvis began going to all night gospel singings. He visited Beale
Street, famous for music and food, going to black music clubs, listening to the blues. He
incorporated soulful rhythm and blues into his music style. Eventually when he was signed by
RCA, they didnt even know how to market his style of music.
Elvis paid $4 to make his first two songs on a vinyl 45 record at Sun Records. He was
signed by Sun records in 1954. In 1955 his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956
Elvis was a household name. Elvis changed the face of rock and roll combining gospel, country
and rock, performing heart throbbing renditions of his music to mega crowds. His dancing,
clothes, long hair and side burns. His use of black music. He was widely popular with young, old,
black or white, though in the beginning his music and dancing was a bit controversial. Some of the
1950's mainstream America thought he was too sexual, his dance moves too radical, his hair too
long and his music too wild.
Elvis could not be stopped. Statistically his music, movies and money earned were
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His films grossed over a $150,000,000. In the mid 60's, his career lagged a little. He
quit performing live. His daughter Lisa Marie Presley was born on February 1, 1968. With the birth
of his daughter, he got a breath of fresh air and hope in his life. In December 1968, Elvis
appeared in a tv special. He wore black leather, long hair and side burns, and went back to his
early roots of music. The public loved it. "There is something magical about watching a man who
has lost himself find his way back home. He sang with the kind of power people no longer expect
of rock n roll singers." [(4) Brown. ] Elvis felt happy with the show because he chose the music,
the players and songs and he felt like he was free to just perform his music the way he wanted to.
In January of 1973, Elvis performed the famed Aloha from Hawaii concert. Elvis
appeared larger than life in a white rhinestone studded costume with an eagle motif to honor
America. His costumes changed as he aged and advanced in his career. During the wild 60's, he
began to wear flashy wild wardrobes with capes, exemplifying even more, his stately,
While a rural blues artist may have utilised music as a tool to address the hardships they faced in life, Elvis rarely received any songwriting credits for the music he recorded. Consequently, he is unlikely to have had the same emotional attachment to his work that an artist like Muddy Waters would have done to his. Presley’s rebranding into a more mainstream artist after 1961 only reaffirms this idea that he cared little about his integrity as a rock and roll artist, and was content to diversify into ballads and acting roles if it meant more fame and money. Nevertheless, I do not believe that this necessarily invalidates Elvis 's status as one of the greatest performers of all
Presley's fame helped spread American culture to international audiences, allowing people from various backgrounds to enjoy the rich musical origin of the United States. Decades after his death, Elvis Presley's legacy remains unparalleled. His music continues to intrigue new generations, challenging the idea that relevance only lasts a moment. Presley's songs continue to be covered and remixed by modern artists, displaying his timeless appeal.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame once said, “In 1954, the performer kicked off a musical revolution by modernizing traditional genres with his charismatic stage presence with then-scandalous hip-swings and body contortions, he set the charts [and hearts] ablaze” about the legend Elvis Presley. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a very prestigious and the way they talk about him accurately introduces him. Every person knows the name Elvis, he is an American name that created such a strong impact on many parts of today's culture. He was born in 1933 right after the baby boom in the “roaring twenties," he grew up extremely poor. Then in 1954, Elvis started to create a name for himself in the music industry.
On July 24, 1701, the oldest city outside of the original thirteen colonies was founded. This city would go on to be one of the more fascinating cities of the United States. Not only is this city home to riveting buildings, such as the only floating post office in America, but it is also home to Motown. This city is Detroit. With the merger of different styles of jazz and blues, Detroit was filled with potential; it wasn’t until Motown, though, that this talent reached a national level.
“Thank you, thank you very much.” said by the King of Rock-and Roll, otherwise known as Elvis Aaron Presley. He was a very important part of pop culture and the way music is today. Presley influenced the pop ballads and country music of this time. Presley also created a style and sound that has never been seen before from a variety of musical influences, he also provided a sounds to represent the new generation.
He would go on to be a national star in 1956 and “according to Billboard, Elvis had 149 charting pop singles: 114 Top 40, 40 Top Ten, and 18 Number Ones (Elvis Presley Biography). Not even his draft into the army on March 28th, 1958, could hinder his career. In fact, “in 1958 alone, Presley earned over $2 million” and once he returned to civilian life he would create his first stereo record and would later film a TV special with Frank Sinatra (Elvis Presley Biography). The rock and roll legend Elvis Presley came from very humble beginnings, but would grow into The King, one of the largest names in the history of rock and roll.
Back then, Elvis became an icon because he combined race music, which was music mostly listened to by the black community, with a mixture of white country music. Due to the development of this genre, known as blues music, the Hip Hop
Elvis faced many obstacles during his 24 years as the “King” he faced racial controversy, musical barriers, and bad press in order to help create Rock and Roll music. Long before Rock n Roll was created or even thought of, the musical world was divided over petty differences. One of the many reasons why music was divided was the heavy racism that plagued the United States since the end of slavery. Another reason why music was divided was the fact of a huge generation gap, or difference between parent and child. These are some of the challenges that Elvis faced.
Elvis was very productive with his music career, he received many Grammy awards, and he acted in many different
Elvis Presley was not a remarkable singer when he started out. For many years, he worked diligently with his work to try to get his music heard by other people. His success finally came when people gave him a chance. Elvis later received a slew of awards for his musical works. Although most people see Elvis Presley as only a great singer, Elvis created a style of music that led to the music we have today.
Presley promoted Rock 'n' Roll music in America. Some likewise say he was the person who concocted Rock 'n' Roll music. He won three Grammy Awards for his gospel chronicles. In 1957, his first gospel record was discharged, the four-melody EP Peace in the Valley. Confirmed as a million
Before Elvis was 35 he made pop music for black, white, or neither. Then they saluted him and Los Angeles was the black music. He had good balance about what they wanted to here. He created the music from the past the present. He excels the good field of entertainment.
Elvis combined different types of music to form a style called rockabilly, which became one of the key sounds in rock ’n’ roll. He spread rock ’n’ roll music across the country, making it popular to a wide audience, especially teenagers. In that regard, he was a true innovator (.http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/elvis-presleys-musical-influence-on-america.html) Elvis also joined the army to serve his country.
Elvis Presley has had more impact on American society and culture than any other person in history for the three following reasons; his large contribution to the start of the generation gap in the 1950’s, his huge impact on rock ‘n’ roll music, and finally, his music opened a door for some integration between races. First of all, in the 1950’s Elvis Presley and his music started the era of the generation gap between teenagers and their parents, an era which is still going on today. With Elvis being very young, attractive and his new type of music and dancing, teenage girls fell head over heels for the young star. Most parents though, did not feel the same way about Presley. He was often described a vulgar and many accused him of corrupting the youth.
Elvis also had effect on other famous musicians. For example: The Beatles and Johnny Cash. Some people even question whether the Beatles would be famous if it wasn’t Elvis’s influence. John Lennon, of the Beatles, once said, “Before Elvis, there was nothing,” (“Musician Guide”).