Essay Elvis’ Cultural Impact on Americans

It was once said by Elvis that, “he never expected to be someone important.” That same man sold over a billion records and won three Grammy Awards. Elvis Presley was an outstanding musician beginning in his early life, throughout his career, and up until his death.

Elvis Presley is one of the biggest names in rock and roll. Singer, musician and actor he was an American icon. He is best known as the King of Rock and Roll. His musical influence included the country and pop music of the time, the gospel music he sang in church and the black R&B music he listened to as a teenager (Comprehensive History of Elvis Presley’s Dynamic Life). Elvis has influenced American culture not only while he was living but also in today’s 21st century. It wasn’t easy for him to be accepted; in fact many adults and the older generations of his time were appalled by his performances and his music. In time though, people were able to accept him and he became well-known all over the world. Even after his death Americans are

Singer, actor, or GI are three words people often think of in connection with Elvis Presley. Many people know that Elvis Presley was the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll, but he was much more. Elvis Presley changed the world by bringing new types of music to entertain everybody, making movies, and serving his country. He will be remembered as the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Elvis Presley was one of the most influential rock and roll singers in the American history. Presley’s work revolutionized the music and brought about significant changes in the entertainment industry. He grew up in an environment where racial segregation between the whites and African Americans was highly pronounced. In fact, Presley schooled in Memphis where he graduated from a whites-only high school. However, he upheld the Black’s music and made it possible for their music to be accessed by the White American youths. Presley’s tracks broke past the racial barrier as many teenagers loved his amazing voice. Through his music, he confronted racism and challenged both social and moral values. Elvis Presley changed the manner in which the Black minority were treated in the U.S. through his music, and this initiated the fights against racial discrimination leading to the civil rights movement.

Elvis Aaron Presley, otherwise known as “The King” was born on January 8th, 1935. He came from simple beginnings; being born into a lower-class family in Tupelo, Mississippi. In 1948, at the age of 13 Elvis Presley and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Soon he launched his incredibly successful music career with Sun Records at the age of 19 in 1954. His music was influenced by both African American and White artists causing his unique blend of country, pop, rhythm and blues, and gospel music. Presley was heavily influenced by artists such as Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and Buddy Holly. Though Presley was widely known for his “provocative” dances moves and his popularization of Rock n’ Roll Presley impacted American culture in a much larger aspect. His influence on Americans and American culture aided desegregation and civil rights during his period of influence and helped create “youth culture”.

Paul told Elvis “that if it weren’t for him there would be no Beatles, that he made it possible for everyone else, that he was the king”. Everyone looked up to him when it came to his music, in 1955 Elvis began to develop his fans they were drawn to his unusual musical style with his gyrating hips and good looks. Presley opened the door for white americans to listen to African American music, his popularity increased the opportunities for African Americans which had a positive effect on racial relations. Without Presley nobody would have the courage to form a band or have more opportunities for other

His appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show gave the network the highest rating at the time, and yet “Elvis the Pelvis” was shot only from waist up. His hip dusting moves was too risque for 1950s Americans, along with his nature. Yet Elvis was a very religious man; daily he would read the bible, he would never drink, and most of his songs had religious connotations. He was a humble man who remembered where he came from.Elvis Presley was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi. He grew up with little money, and his family lived off of welfare. During the year of 1948 Presley moved to Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 13, and there he was introduced to the black community. In Memphis he was a frequent singer at the Reverend H.W. Brewster’s black Memphis church where he learned gospel music.

Additionally, people made a change in the music they listened to. Elvis Presley the pioneer of rock and roll changed entertainment forever. Elvis’s fleshy face, erotic physique and sexually suggestive gyrations attracted the baby boomer of the decade. Because of these features and his unique dance moves, he faces controversy in the face of the media and some common American people. Parents did not want their children to adapt to the “King’s” ways. The new attitude followed on youths disobeying order. The same situation would follow on to the next decade and eventually on to the future.

success as the King of Rock and Roll. While it is true that Elvis was not the inventor of rock and

His music would be recognized and historic to every Elvis fan. He made a difference in American history in being one amazing person. “Elvis for three legendary appearances on his CBS Sunday night variety show on September 9 and October 28, 1956.” (Alan). This shows he appeared three times on CBS Sunday night television shows that his appearance from coming back from the military and continued with his career. Elvis was known for his success in being a veteran and citizen. “Presley became the first ever inductee into three music halls of fame when it was announced that he would be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of fame on the Tennessee”. In fact “he starred in 33 successful films, made history with his television appearances and specials…. He sold over one billion records, more than any other artist”. This demonstrates that he was one of the biggest sellers in the history of billion records, yet he would always be number one in musical culture.

During his career, he went to the army for about two years (“Elvis Presley”). Rather than looking at it as a patriotic act that he was accomplishing for the nation, he looked at it as an interference (“Elvis Presley”). This led to the adolescents who looked up to him, to show no interest in the army

Elvis Aaron Presley was a very influential musician during the 1950’s and continues his legacy to this day. Presley was known as the “King of Rock”, or simply “The King” in his time of fame. Growing up, Presley was a humble person. He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. He grew up in a poor family and had to move constantly, but his parents were loving and supportive nevertheless. He looked up to his parents greatly, especially his mother. His family was exceedingly religious, which caused him to spend a lot of his childhood in church. The His first checkpoint in his career was the gift of his guitar at 11years old. He won a talent show playing his guitar which caused him to pursue his dreams.ertime, Presley had his life planned out as a musicianist and ran into Sam Phillips, the record label owner, whoand helped bring him to his successes.

This album starts Elvis’ career and puts him on the path to become “the king of rock ‘n’ roll”. The album includes his first big hit, “Heartbreak Hotel”. At this time rock ‘n’ roll is still a very new and controversial idea; Presley is the first artist to have a rock ‘n’ roll album to hold a top position on the billboard chart for several weeks. Although Presley is not the first rock ‘n’ roller he is one of the firsts to exploit this “wild” rock ‘n’ roll image, among others like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. His energetic and very often times sexual performances didn’t sit well with parents at the time, who were very conservative and afraid of the impact of rock music on their children,

His sexually provocative performance style horrified the public and was regarded as vulgar and inappropriate, but Presley’s smooth looks, voice, and charming personality eventually won society over. Elvis Presley Enterprises states Elvis had forty top ten hits. Presley is now considered one of the most symbolic cultural icons of the 20th century. Elvis Presley is referred to as “The King of Rock and Roll”. Society does not understand how to process individuals like Presley who are not a “carbon copy” of itself.

Elvis’s music allowed them to be able to hear the amazing sound that came from this specific type of music. This began to bring the younger generations of different races together by liking one specific thing causing a huge change in society. Elvis’s clothing would also help to change America. White adults believed that Elvis dressed like a black person. He would wear baggy pants, leather jackets and a pink shirt with its collar up. More white teenagers would start to wear more types of clothing like this. White teenagers started to shop in stores that were owned by black businessmen. This was something that was just simply never done. Elvis’s dancing was the last part of him that would cause tension in America. He would dance sexually with hip thrusts and moving that was inappropriate. This would start a tread of new dancing though the teenagers. This upset adults that their children were more open about their sexuality. Simply, Elvis would start treads which can still be seen today. This was the start of the African American culture being mixed with mainstream culture.