Elvis Presley's Influence On African American Culture

On January 8th, 1935 one of the greatest influences to pop and country was born. Elvis Aaron Presley changed the way people heard and saw music through his songs and the way he performed them. Elvis’ music was stunning, he had eighteen American No. 1s and hundreds of gold records from around the world. He brought a way of performing that people had never experienced before, he was electrifying when he performed on stage. Elvis Presley was the first rock'n'roll star, he brought rebellion to the youth of that time and was able to grasp the listener and draw them into his songs which few artist have ever been able to accomplish.

Per John Lennon of The Beatles, Presley influenced him to take up music. In, The Beatles Anthology, Lennon is quoted “When I heard Heartbreak Hotel, it was the end for me. Once I heard it and got into it, that was life, there was no other thing. I thought of nothing else but rock 'n' roll" (11). Elvis Presley impersonators all over the world continue perform his songs so a younger generation can enjoy the music of Elvis Presley.

Today, the musical genres created and influenced by African Americans are top sellers in the country, though jazz isn't as popular today it will remain a big part of American culture and history. ("20th Century Music," n.d.). The unfortunate circumstances of the slave trade introduced America to unique sounds, rhythms and song structures of African tradition and influenced the creation of blues, jazz and many more musical genres. Although racism deemed the early development of African American music “immoral”, the lively and diverse music thrived and spread American culture around the world.

Buddy Holly Introduction Buddy Holly changed Rock and Roll in his own way. He accomplished many things in his life and learned to sway the crowd. Buddy had a huge impact on people for such a short life, created his own style on his guitar, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, making him one of the most creative singer of the 20th century.

In 1956, Elvis scored his first No. 1 single with "Heartbreak Hotel," as well as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and signing a movie contract with Paramount Pictures. Elvis was everywhere; He was on the radio, the television, and the silver screen, working as a musician and actor. His first film, Love Me Tender (1956), was a box office hit. Even though Elvis had a thriving career, it did not put a stop to the U.S. Army sending him a draft notice. Elvis served in the army in Europe until 1960.

“Music has always been both a barometer measuring and responding to society's problems and possibilities, and the twentieth century was a period that witnessed the emergence of a diverse range of musical styles and genres, each seemingly in reaction to the dominant sociopolitical concerns of the day” (Morgan). Presley, Dylan, and Joplin had the greatest influence on American culture in the 1960’s. Elvis had a great influence on American culture through his influence on music, affect on American culture, and his legacy. Elvis also known as “the King” or “the King of Rock and Roll”was very popular in the 1960’s. Presley created new styles by gyrating his hips and dressing differently.

Elvis Presley was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll", or simply, "the King". Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi as a twin, and when he was 13 years old, he and his family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. His music career began there in 1954, when he recorded a song with producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Elvis Presley was an early singer of rockabilly, an up-tempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues.

It branched off the musical stylings of gospel, blues, jazz country, and boogie. Numerous rock historians believe that rock music was one of the first music genres to define an age group. Famous artist during this time period include Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, and Johnny Cash. As time continued, rock music has brought us many familiar faces that nearly any music lover could recognize.

Elvis Presley Elvis Presley was one of the most successful recording artists of all time, winner of numerous awards, including three Grammy awards. Elvis had an indescribable cultural impact, according to Rolling Stone Magazine: “It was Elvis who made rock’n’roll the international language of pop” Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, the son of Gladys Love and Vernon Elvis Presley, both Mississippi born. Elvis was supposed to be a twin but his brother was announced stillborn. Although a boy was raised in love, because of the lack of the money, a family had to move from place to place quite often. With parents Presley attended the Assembly of God Church where gospel music left its imprint on him.

The well-liked music of Jazz and hip hop quickly drew the attention of teens (McCormack 1). “The new youth culture also created its own forms of distinct cultural expression, including new haircuts and clothes, and in particular the new rock-and-roll music, led by youth idol Elvis Presley” (Johnston, Sandy, and Amy, Sullivan 10). Kids began to have unregulated play time. More organizations were formed to help the youth interact with each other. The organizations included the Boy scouts and Girl scouts enabling kids to explore and grow on their own (Johnston, Sandy, and Amy, Sullivan 9).

It On Down (Freeland, 2004) One of the most popular country band by popularizing country when most country stars where in the 1960s and 1970s (Freeland, 2004). And That 's happens when a bunch of southern cousins make a band, they make a huge hits and leave behind

The one and only, Elvis Presley. All of you probably already know who the king of rock and roll is right? The man who impacted music forever, one of the most musicians ever to have lived… Elvis Presley. Elvis was born on January 08, 1935 in Tupelo Mississippi. Elvis had a twin brother who died shortly after birth.

Elvis Presley reigns as one of the biggest success stories and music innovators in American history. He was a man whose short lived career brought the birth of rock ‘n’ roll and hope to the common man. As a popular artist in the mid 1950’s, “Presley became a symbol of a youthful determination to push at the borders of the conventional and acceptable.” Born January 8, 1935 in a family of poverty, he rose to fame in a matter of months, attracting large audiences at concerts and teenage girls everywhere he went. Presley was young and attractive and possessed a sound and style that was something totally unique.

In the last 60 years music has changed a great deal but while you were in the fallout shelter you missed out on one of the most influential music performers of all time and that is The Beatles. The Beatles took the America by storm when they arrived in 1964. With their influential stylings and their new sound on music everyone fell into “Beatle-Mania”. While you were in the fallout shelter you missed out on all the music that came about because of The Beatles, through their influence it brought forth a new way people saw rock and how many people interpreted it. One of America’s best musician and proclaimed as the “King of Rock” was influenced by The Beatles and that person was Elvis Presley(Biography).

The third book I chose to evaluate African American culture and identity is names Papa’s Mark (Battle-Lavert, 2003). This book was about a young African American boy, Simms, who had a strong passion and desire to help his father learn how to write. During this time period, African Americans were given the freedom to vote. However, Simms noticed that his father did not know how to write his own name and wanted to make sure he could by the time election day arrived. In order to achieve his goal, Simms would leave a piece of paper with his father’s name written at the top to help guide him.