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Evolution of rock and roll
Evolution of rock and roll
How Elvis Presley Impacted the Music Industry
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Recommended: Evolution of rock and roll
Darien Barnett
Professor Patterson
History of Rock and Roll
March 7, 2014
Elvis Presley
1956 Original Album Elvis Presley Re-Release
The first album by Elvis Presley ever introduced to the public was called Elvis Presley and released on March 13th of 1956 by RCA records. Elvis started out under Sun Records before his contract was sold to RCA records. Elvis was good, but Sun Records believed that they had an even bigger talent that could outshine Elvis and that was Carl Perkins. However, Carl Perkins had a personal tragedy occur with his brother and he fell out of the scene leaving Elvis to dominate and become the King of Rock and Roll. He introduced that new sound that was becoming known to the world with what was considered risqué dance moves. He soon became known as Elvis the Pelvis. He was considered a threat to the moral integrity of young women and daughters everywhere. Men hated him most of the time, women loved him, and parents saw him as a threat. This album rocked the core of the United States at the time over the expected culture regarding women, segregation and the way people thought music should be.
This album was composed of twelve songs originally in the release in 1956, and included such titles as “Tutti Frutti” and his second hit “Blue Suede Shoes.” It ended up at a 25 minute 52 second timing for all the songs in the album put together. Later it was re-released in 1999 to include such singles as Heartbreak Hotel. Before this album was released to the public, heartbreak hotel was released as a single and generated great success, so much so that it raised the standard for sales in record companies across the board. RCA records wanted to ride this new success and generated this album using previous held record...
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...d quite a stir; earning remarks aiming towards one central theme - vulgar. Once he got on stage and shook his Pelvis all the girls would scream and all the men would practically grow an instant jealous and hateful rage towards him. His acts on stage were even taken to the point that people described them as “sexual self-gratification on stage” and compared to masturbation.
All of this combined gave Elvis the persona of Rock and Roll. He didn’t invent it, surely no, but he did perfect it. He made Rock and Roll about rebellion, he made music that teenagers loved and parents hated. He paved the way, with this album, for future generations of rock musicians and created a new landscape for them to stand. He is a landmark that set in motion a new era for Rock, and many succeeding artists took from him and continued leading us to where we are now in Rock and Roll history.
His outfit, as well as his mannerisms, does not follow what was acceptable in society’s point of view at that time. His open jacket and partially opened shirt underneath shows some skin. Presley also has a chiseled appearance, and was known by host Ed Sullivan as “Elvis the Pelvis.” These examples indicate that while people came for his music, many people were also drawn to his sex appeal. Elvis moved around on stage which accentuated the beat of the music, as well as showcased the high energy and fast rhythm of the song. However, as he moved around on stage, the camera would focus on his actions, and not on his group, showing that Elvis had the primary importance and priority in the group. His musicality is apparent in this video, but not obvious due to the distracting dance moves that he does. He sings the song with the proper rhythm, but his tone and professionalism on stage is affected by the sensual dance moves he performs. Presley’s source of inspiration is a song first made popular by Little Richard in 1956, but was written by two other songwriters: Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco. Elvis is famous for mainly singing covers of singles, rather than writing his own songs. I believe that the influence of Elvis on the Beatles is that Elvis tied
Elvis Presley is also known as the “King of Rock and Roll” is the most influential Rock and Roll artist of all time. “Elvis Presley life story began when Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.” (Elvis Presley Biography)
His musical career was to soon take off like a rocket. In the same year he graduated he also got a record deal with the legendary Sun Records in Memphis Tennessee. Soon after he records his first album with Sun Records his single “That’s All Right” was released. The first d. j. to play the single was Dewey Philips. Elvis was quickly becoming a superstar and was too much for Sun Records to handle all the business.
There are many Elvis Tribute Artists throughout the United States. A tribute artist is one of a group of unique people who have dedicated their lives to keeping Elvis’ memory alive. How it all got started, a boy went into Sun Records at the age of 19, to record a special song for his mother’s birthday present; the song was titled My Happiness. One year would pass by, before the owner of the studio would call him back. In 1954, music producer, Sam Phillips discovered the very young and energetic boy that we know as Elvis. Sam Phillips was looking for a sound that was very different and unique. Elvis, Scotty Moore, and Dj Fontana had been working hard all day, and close to the end of the afternoon when they were about ready to give up, while taking a break, Elvis picked up the guitar and started to play around. Sam stuck his head out of the control booth, and asks, “What are you doing and can you do it again?” Elvis answered, “I don’t know and yes”. The rockabilly sound was born. A deejay by the name of, Dewey Phillips at WHBQ Radio in Memphis, Tennessee interviewed Elvis and played his first record “That’s all right mamma. The world was introduced to Elvis Presley and the rockabilly sound. Elvis was the greatest music entertainer of his time, until his death on August 16, 1977, at the age of forty-two years. His sudden death left this world very tearful, he was known as the King-of -Rocking- N-Roll throughout his life and still today, thirty-two years after he died.
The 1950s had many types popular music with Rock n' Roll being the most influential on the nations youth. Elvis Presley was the greatest Rock n' Roll star and was a symbol of youth rebellion. He was an American singer, actor, and best known as the king of rock n' roll. His successful performances in a variety a genres made him the most popular performer of his day and one of the most influential figures in pop-culture history. "Elvis Presley's 1956 appearance on TV's Ed Sullivan Show touched off a frenzy of teen adulation - and a flood of letters from parents scandalized by his 'gyrations'" (Norton, Mary Beth. Chapter 25: America at Midcentury 1945-1960. In A People & A Nation, p. 767). Other famous and influential singers were Bill
On January 8th, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, the “King of Rock and Roll” was born. His name was Elvis Presley. He was the son of Vernon Presley who was a truck driver, and his mother was Gladys, a sewing machine operator. He had a twin brother named Jesse, but he was still born, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. His father was hardly around, and he was imprisoned for three years for forgery. Surrounding him as a child though, was the gospel music of the Pentecost church, where his love for music first took roots in his heart. In the fifth grade his teacher Oletta Grimes asked Elvis to participate in the talent contest on Children’s Day at the Mississippi – Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. At age ten, he donned his cowboy hat and slipped into a cowboy suit to sing in the talent show, but he was in need of a chair in order to reach the microphone. He sang his personal rendition of Red Foley’s “Old Shep”; it won him a second prize and a free ticket for all the numerous rides in the park. His following Birthday, he received his first guitar from the Tupelo Hardware Store and took lessons from his dad’s brother. In 1948 his family picked up their life and moved to Memphis, Tennessee. It was there that he was exposed to the rhythmic sound of the blues, as well as Jazz on Beale Street, where he grew up...
Elvis Presley, born January 8, 1935 was one very talented boy. As in his young years Presley did not know of what talents he had been blessed with but yet he was soon to know what he had been born to do. As you all know Elvis Presley became an amazing singer that changed the music culture as a whole forever.
While Elvis Presley had an influence on the attitude, fashion, music, and views on race in the 1950s, he would continue to influence these same aspects for future generations. Presley was a simple man who grew up in a time that was filled with hatred, depression, and war. When no child dared to speak back to their parent, Elvis showed the youth rebellion and when segregation was an issue, he showed white teenagers that African Americans were human just like them. Even though older generations continued to show their hatred for Elvis Presley, he still continued to rock.
Elvis Aaron Presley, born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, grew up listening to gospel music of the Pentecostal church (rockhall 1). Presley “was the guy the guys wanted to be, and the guy girls wanted to date” (Di Luca 1). He influenced fashion, American dance, music, and became one of first rock and roll sensations. As Di Luca states in his article, “His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions,” (1). Presley had a major lasting impact on fashion, American dance and sexuality, and music.
His unique style caused a whole new era of American music and pop culture (Elvis Fan Club). Elvis found success on television as well on records. He began appearing on a variety of television programs in 1956, appearing on Stage Show for 6 weeks. As he progressed as a musician and entertainer, his confidence increased as well, causing his television performance to increase in success. However, one of his most popular performances was seen on The Steve Allen Show. Elvis performed his song, Hound Dog, which resulted in an uproar across America. The performance was considered to be so provocative that it caused a nationwide scandal (Famous
When Elvis hit the music scene in 1954 his innovative sound it changed the way Americans listened to music. Elvis successfully blurred racial and socioeconomic lines regarding music choice. He truly was the king of rock and roll because of how he incorporated so many themes into his iconic sound. Rock and roll music contains both themes of both Country (farm families) and Rhythm and Blues (African American Families). It was this and Presley's nondenominational brand of music that allowed him to be so widely liked, along with other factors. He was from the south where many country artistes were from, but he was a well maintained white male which appealed the white communities, in addition his sound was similar to those of many African American artists of the time. This trio of attributes allowed his popularity across demographics to soar. Some of his most popular songs included "Jailhouse Rock", "All Shook Up", "Can't Help Falling in Love", and "Heartbreak
Another controversial but strong lyric that was written was “Elvis was hero to most but he never meant shit to me”. I believe this was said because to most of Elvis hit songs where during the 1960’s Rock N Roll era. This means that he was a hero and icon to most who lived through that era. Now, come the 1980’s and the public the same way does not look at many African American Hip Hop Artists like the group Public Enemy. They are not looked at as artist or even icons, they are simply said to be a bunch of “thugs” who are troubled and should go back to where they came from.
One of them was the cause of his death. One reported: “fourteen drugs in Elvis' system, ten in significant quantity.” There are numerous opinions on whether Presley was on drugs or not. Many claim that based on his mental condition, he must have been overtaking some kind of drugs or medicine. It doesn’t make sense that a person who is mentally unhealthy can be called the greatest star in American music culture. When a human abuses any kind of drugs, it impacts their target system. This is the part that normally responds to survival instincts and if it is affected the body will try to set in a motion to repeat the behavior of taking drugs. When drugs are abused for a long period of time, it will affect the brain’s ability to make decisions, memorizing and learning. After returning from military service, Presley had a hard time getting famous again with his music (graceland.com). Out of 11 records, there was only four that were in the top 50 rank and the highest was 28th place (graceland.com). In this time of the period, he might have abused drugs to be mentally satisfied and forget things. His abuse of drugs didn’t stop and even lead him to death. Due to such reasons, many might think that Elvis Presley doesn’t deserve the fame that he gets right now because he is an example where one ruins their life with drugs and he doesn’t deserve to be called the greatest star of American music
He help influence the creation of rock and roll with the way he played the guitar on stage because he played like a black man but he was actually white and he added a little of blues a little of country and boom you had rock and roll but the way elvis played it was just perfect it would move crowds and have them crazy. He sold the most albums and singles ever and numbers don't lie and if he clearly sold the most albums and songs for a reason and its because he played rock the best and he wouldn't have sold the most albums if he didnt. That proves that he is the king because numbers don't lie and he was just a goddess with the way he played guitar ofc other people were good at the guitar but he was just to great the way he played the
His impact on music is one of the greatest of all time; influencing artists like Buddy Holly and The Beatles, he paved the way for current Rock and Roll. Spotify has created an entire web page, called Elvisualization, tracing current music artists to Elvis Presley, it is found at: http://static.echonest.com/insights/elvis/elvisualization.html. I was able to find many different singers including Blake Shelton, who was inspired by Vince Gill, and he was inspired by Merle Haggard who was inspired by Elvis. Many different artists attribute different characteristics which can be traced back to Elvis. That is what a true king does, encourage long after he is