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The development of rock n roll
Music culture of the 60s
The development of rock n roll
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Through the duration of people’s lives people think they have a good idea of what one would consider acceptable in society and what is “too far”. Through the ages, people have tested and pushed what is acceptable to its limits. Giving the people someone to judge and hate upon because they are do and act way different than anyone they are used to. Some people have done this throughout the years and you may not even know it. To name a few Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Lady Gaga. All of these people have pushed and evolved what is “acceptable”, in society. In comparison of Elvis Presley and Lady Gaga, one can see that from the 1950’s to the 21st century, music artists have found ways to test and expand what’s “acceptable” in society.
The genre of rock and roll was not only created but also pushed into society by the one and only Elvis Presley. At the age of 20 Elvis was already was a growing star, signed by sun records in just under a year of him starting to performing (Bio). Just being signed by a big record company was a success in itself but Elvis took it even further by getting two singles out within a few months of being signed,(blue moon and that’s alright). Those two songs were great hits helping Elvis skyrocket into fame and the start of his long and successful career (Wilborn). It seemed Elvis was so musically gifted he would find ways to make songs fun and sound unique that helped him excel in the musical career. Through hard work and dedication, Elvis excelled and rose to the top by introducing a new style of pop into society without society even knowing they wanted it.
In comparison to Elvis with his young success and fame, Lady Gaga did not have it so easy. Even though Lady Gaga is very wel...
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"Elvis Presley Biography." - Elvis Life Story. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
"Elvis Presley Biography." - Elvis Life Story. N.p., n.d. Tue. 2 Mar. 2014.
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Klein, George. Elvis Presley: The Family Album. New York: Little, Brown and, 2007. Print.
Hampton, Wilborn. Up Close: Elvis Presley, a Twentieth Century Life. New York: Viking, 2007. Print.
"Lady Gaga Biography." Lady Gaga. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Michael.levy.”Lady Gaga.” Britannica Biographies (2012): 1. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 14 Feb. 2014
Michael, Levy. “Lady Gaga.” Britannica Biographies (2012): 1. MAs Ultra - school Edition. Web. 14 Feb.2014
Richardson, Terry. Lady Gaga. New York: Grand Central Pub., 2011. Print.
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Like Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” In the 1950’s the South was heavily racially segregated. Elvis Presley unintentionally put himself in the position to become a valuable instrument in the battle against segregation. “Without casting himself as a fighter for racial equality, Elvis became a subversive standard bearer for cultural desegregation at a time when the codified racism of the South was under increasing pressure.” How did an uneducated white hillbilly from the south influence both black and white teenagers against segregation? It was quite simple, for Elvis Presley had a unique talent of combining traditional black music; such as the blues and jazz, with the traditional white music; like country and white gospel. This unique style of blending different types of music, gave Elvis the edge on the musical racial barriers America was facing; and open the path for both sides to enjoy the music together and therefore desegregated.
Elvis Presley may be the single most important figure in American 20th century popular music. Not necessarily the best and certainly not the most consistent. But no one could argue with the fact that he was the musician most responsible for popularizing rock & roll on an international level. Viewed in cold sales figures, his impact was phenomenal. Dozens upon dozens of international smashes from the mid-'50s to the mid-'70s, as well as the steady sales of his catalog and reissues since his death in 1977, may make him the single highest-selling performer in history.
Mention the name Elvis Presley and many things come to mind. Most people automatically think of music and the impact he had on the industry. Others think of his upbringing in the South and the years he spent singing Gospel tunes. Wild images of Graceland and Cadillacs are iconic when it comes to discussing Elvis. Through the years, his physical appearance changed drastically. From young and in excellent shape to older, larger, and showing the signs of poor lifestyle choices. Elvis singlehandedly changed the face of American music. He influenced an entire generation to break from long-held traditions. However, for all the incredible talent and charisma the man possessed, he could not break free from the addictions that plagued him in his later years. Moreover, sadly, many remember that as his last legacy.
Most things have their beginnings in something small: a word, a breath, or idea; but not music. Music begins with a single vibration. It explodes and carries on, morphing worlds of unrelated personas. It lives rampantly in the mouths of millions of unruly and free-spirited teenagers, like a fever. The rock 'n roll trend that defiantly rose against the conformist ideology of the mid-twentieth century left remnants that commenced the start of a progressing society: a culture that redefined the rules of society and pushed social and moral limits while addressing social concerns.
Elvis Presley rose to fame in the 1950’s quickly becoming one of the most recognizable singers of all time. Through the 1960’s and 1970’s he achieved unparalleled fame through his music as well as his acting in movies. Yet, the sexy symbol, hip thrusting, southern man was not without his continual faults, errors, and drug abuse. In fact the debate still rages among some on what brought down this international star. In this essay, I will provide a biography of the life of Elvis Presley and then use this information to conclude what psychological problems the great Elvis Presley may have been facing.
Through Elvis Presley, rock ‘n’ roll changed the face of American music, and influenced a whole generation’s political philosophy. Composer Leonard Berstein once said, “He introduced the beat to everything and changed everything-music, language, clothes; it’s a whole new social revolution-the 60s come from it” (Wattenberg 6B). To his credit, Elvis embraced rhythm and blues not as a from to be imitated, but as a form to honored and interprete... ...
Over 40,000,000 viewers tuned in to hear his R&B meets rock and roll song with his hip thrusts and pelvis shakes and the people lost it. You were either with him or against him, the teenage girls went wild over his moves while the church and elders thought he was everything they feared of the future, sexual, wild and rebellious. In the world facing such bigger issues with the cold war going on and the rise of communism it was easy to listen to Presley’s happy-go-lucky rock music and find an escape from the harsh realities of the world. It goes along with the normalcy bias that society ignores bigger issues in light that they rather not accept the fact that it is happening and deal with
Elvis Presley was a well-known man and loved by many people. Based on http://www.brainpickings.org/2013/04/11/elvis-presley-teens-consumer-culture/Elvis Just like Muddy Waters, Presley timing was perfect as well. He came into and era (1950s) where the devastations of the great depression and world wars were over. People were now starting to have some freedom and enjoy the thing they loved which was listening to music and living life to the fullest. The social change that the 50s brought reflected music significantly, and Elvis Presley arose.. Kids were now starting to rebel against their parents and they had a lot of extra money to spend on records because of prosperity. During the Wars, money was limited and kids and adults had to work extra hard and save for survival purposes, but once the war-ended money could be used for pleasure reasons rather than just for survival. In addition, in the 50s our country had it’s own war, and I’m not talking about the World Wars, but yet human inequality. The civil rights movement was one of the biggest social changes in history and was a time where a lot of great artist prevailed and made songs on the issue. Elvis Presley showed just how social changes could influence or reflect the history of rock “n” roll. Presley started a culture, his hairstyle, the way he dressed all became part of the youth around the country. As I said our country was fighting its own war with segregation, Elvis music help bring people together. His music not on appealed white crowds, but black crowds listened to him as well. He brought people together through music, and proved to the world that he could be successful. He was one of the artist that mastered crossover, bringing every color to liking his music. Based on Larson fourth edition pg 38, it says that his record sales boomed, and then rock “n”
Dundy, Elaine. Elvis and Gladys: The Genesis of the King. N.p.: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1985.
As I watched another Oprah interview with Lady Gaga, I was again struck by how totally together she seems. Despite Lady Gaga's experiences as an outcast and the victim of bullying as a teenager, she has become the most famous pop star on the planet right now. But unlike other pop stars that find themselves all over the media lately, Lady Gaga's notoriety and fame are strictly a result of her immense talent and dynamic stage presence.
Despite that, Madonna and Callas’s public reputations are far apart.√ good Callas was considered a tragic woman during the height and end of her fame,; her image was of a fragile woman and she was seen as ‘mirroring in her life aspects’ (Phillip,, R,. 2008, p.175) when she performed on stage. Operatic roles within the twentieth century are mostly heart-breaking, where ‘almost all of the characters die, on stage or just off it, through suicide or murder’ (Phillip, R,. 2008, p. 175) and these characters were Callas’s speciality, giving her a feeble image. In contrast, Madonna is considered a ‘bankable image, carefully and continually constructed in an era of media globalisation’ (Nick Jones, 2008, p. 168), and greatly known as a ‘Pop Queen’ who relies on the public for her reputation by continually conforming to society styles to increase her performances, sales and reputation. √ good observation. Perhaps emphasise the fact that in comparison to Callas, Madonna can be seen as very much in control. She’s not a victim.
Music is an inspirational outlet that can be used to convey a message to other people who relate to that message. Music can become even stronger when the person who is performing it is an inspirational source as well. For the past 30 years Madonna has become a well-known artist, actress, and role model to the people who support her. All artists know that they are only number one until someone else comes along and replaces them with more intriguing work to offer. Lady Gaga has been said to be the new Madonna of our generation and is quite often compared to her in many ways by her musical and styling choices. They both share similarities such as their musical genre, style, feminine empowerment, and their support towards the gay community. Their differences can also be seen in those same fields as well.
Personally, I think Paglia argument that blames Gaga for not being sexy did not explain enough about Gaga who know how to play piano, write music, sing great live, dance, and make fashion (Needham 2). It mostly comparison to her “long-term crush” (Needham 2) Madonna who is, as Paglia stated, “the future of feminism” (“Madonna I: Animality and Artifice” 90) now seems “marooned in the past” (Needham 2). Overall Gaga is empowering everyone respect each other and love themselves, unlike Rihanna who exploiting women to be a slave for men. I believe Rihanna not only degrading women but also exploiting kids by sing to them inappropriate song for their age. Regardless if number of musicians like Rihanna increase, I think Gaga will accomplish far more success than musicians who choose to follow rather than lead.
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanott, famously known as her stage name, Lady Gaga, is a present day, modern pop artist. She dabbles in other music genres such as jazz, folk, country, dance, rock, and electronic music, but still remains as a pop legend. Her known influences ranged from Queen and Elton John to Andy Warhol and Rainer Maria Rilke. Gaga was born on March 28, 1986, in Yonkers, New York, to Italian-American parents, Cynthia and Joseph Germanotta. Joseph, an Internet entrepreneur, and Cynthia, a Verizon executive, raised Gaga in Upper West Side Manhattan where she learned to play piano at the age of four. Her parents encouraged her music talent and she became skilled in classical piano and took a full day of acting classes every Saturday