The King of Rock and Roll

Elvis Presley

Who Was Elvis Presley? Elvis Aaron Presley was a legendary American singer, musician, and actor. His career was at its height from 1950s to late 1970s. He is regarded as one of the most influential and significant cultural icon of the 20th century. Elvis is well known nick name is "The King" or more formally "The King of Rock & Roll ". He was given this nickname because he is said to have early popularized the genre of rock. His number one hit in 1956 included "Heatbreak Hotel". He continued on with many more hits such as Jailhouse Rock , Hound Dog, and Love Me Tender. 

He became the leading figure of rock and roll after a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of songs and provocative performance style, made him enormously popular—and controversial.

Elvis was born in Tupelo, Tennessee and moved to Memphis at age 13. This influenced him and provided him with better opportunities to launch his music career. His music career began in Memphis in 1954 when he started to work with Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records.

He constantly worked tireless to create the sound he wanted and paint the way for many others after. He created a sound that was then described as a driven fusion between country and rhythm blues.
Elvis's music inspiration didn't come from one specific artist , instead many. He frequently attended the gospel signings' that lasted all night in Memphis at the Ellis Auditorium and this is said to be what sewed his seeds of his future stage act. Many African-American singers such as Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry influenced his sound. He took many styles such as blues and R&B and mixed it up. 

 

In the 1950s , things had calmed down politically. No one was being provocative, especially celebrities. This included dancers and movie stars. Viewers and the rest of society were very strict on the wholesome image and felt the need for family friendly entertainment. In the spring of 1956, rock 'n' roll sensation Elvis Presley became a national phenomenon. His first single "Heartbreak Hotel," was number one on the charts, and plans were in the works for his movie debut. Everywhere he  performed, his sultry looks, swinging hips, and dynamic vocal style drove teenagers crazy.

His appearance on The Milton Berle Show on June 5, 1956, triggered one of the biggest first controversy's of his career. While Presley preformed his single "Hound Dog," of course he danced with all the pelvis-shaking intensity his fans scream for. Television critics across the country slam Elvis's performance for its "appalling lack of musicality," for its "vulgarity" and "animalism."

It wasn't just what Elvis was doing on stage he became iconic, everyone dreamed to be apart of what he had created. People thought that his vulgarer actions would inspire teenagers to become sex craved kids and this would ruin the ideal American home front and family beliefs. They though it would go as far as encouraging  juvenile delinquency. Elvis's popularity wasn't phased by the negative backlash. In the years to come his fame grew and grew, staring in movies, and preforming musically. His fan base grew as well. He was something new , something special , something unique and something that had never been seen or heard before. He became a sensation. Already, his mark on the 50s was at work. 

Elvis had a strong influence on youth culture. During the 1950s, teenagers had begun to think of themselves as being different from their parents’ generation. Because of the economic prosperity of the period, teens could easily enjoy things like purchasing records and listening to Elvis rather than helping their parents with money.  

With that money, they dressed themselves in fashions marketed to their age group, went to movies that featured stars of their generation, and listened to music that they liked. It wasn't surprising when Presley’s rock ’n’ roll music, his hairstyle, and his fashion sense became a part of this new culture for teenagers. Elvis became an influence on the youth during the 1950s and caused a burst of expression among young people.

Elvis was a musical revolution. He knew how to bring joy in everyday household and change the ideals of music and what it means to an individual. Elvis was so popular he paved the way and influenced upcoming rock and roll legends, aka the Beetles. If Elvis wouldn't have been so daring , different and unique, most likely the 1950s wouldn't have been what they were. Without his influence and popularity and his innovative ideas, music would never have "blossomed" into what it is now.

Sources:

- https://www.shmoop.com/1950s/elvis-presley.html

- http://www.dummies.com/education/history/american-history/elvis-presleys-musical-influence-on-america/