Elvis Presley's Influence On American Culture Essay

With an estimated one billion units sold and counting, Elvis Presley is thought to be the most commercially successful solo musical artist of all time (Meacham 1) Born in Tupelo Mississippi and later relocating to Memphis Tennessee, Elvis was a natural star. At just age ten he won fifth place at his first singing contest and at 11 gets his own guitar. Elvis then won a school talent show by singing and playing his guitar, earning the most applause out of any of the contestants. He would soon after that become a trucker, but his dreams of becoming a star were not crushed yet. Elvis gyrated his hips into America's heart as the most influential figure in American history.

“Desperate to find a new talent for his small-time label, Sam Phillips finally gave in and listened to the recording by the kid with the sideburns his persistent secretary kept nagging him about.” (Tracy 61) On July 5, 1954, Elvis Presley ,who was a delivery truck driver, had huge shifts in his life. He went to Sun Records Studio in Memphis and

Elvis presley is and still is the king of rock n roll. Even though he had an interesting childhood, career and personal life, and legacy and death. As the king says himself “Until we meet again, may God bless you as he has blessed

Elvis is remembered for his music. He grew up listening to gospel music but when he moved to Memphis he got exposed to jazz and the blues. After he graduated high school in 1953 Presley visited Memphis Recording Service, also the home of Sun Records to record his voice (rockhall.com). He’s also remembered for his music because made the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll. He became a national star in 1956 (rollingstone.com). Elvis didn’t only make Rock ‘n’ Roll music he made some gospel, country, pop and the black R&B.

Elvis Presley changed music because he made Rock and Roll the new thing. He made songs as early as 21 years old. Everyone else around that time was singing country, jazz,and blues. He was not the inventor of Rock and Roll, but he brought it back to life. The most famous songs that are still around today are “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

Sam Philips hooked Elvis’s first live performance with a guest artist of Moore’s country-western band that was on tour. This was his start in becoming the national phenomenon. Not too much later, there was a music Jamboree held in Memphis that was staged at an outdoor city park. There were many country singers who showed up to the event. Elvis even performed at this occasion, yet still unidentified for which genre he would be placed under.

He had gotten so popular people had made a nickname for him the "King of Rock and Roll " (Source #3).Some of his many hit included "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse rock"

After graduating in 1953, he worked a number of jobs while pursuing his musical dream. He cut his first demo record at what later became known as Sun Studio that year, and before long, Sam Phillips, the record label owner,

Elvis Presley lifetime into fame caused him to become an unforgettable legacy to many Americans. The inspiration and influence had all began ever since Elvis was a child. At a young age, Elvis, who had a very active and joyful personality, obtained an interest in the guitar. So, his family members voluntarily taught Elvis many skills on how to play guitar, as he quickly grew under the love of the style of western country music. Elvis Presley was like a fledgling who didn’t want to leave from its nest and fly away to a different style of music he was not familiar with. When Elvis moved to Memphis, Tennessee, he began exposing himself to many different types of music genres, but never really chose to use the styles in his own music, except other similar styles of country music. Elvis Presley was stated as a

Elvis will forever be the “King of Rock and

His first interest in music came when he had wanted a bicycle or rifle for his 11th birthday, his parents had told him that they wouldn’t be able to afford those stuff. So, instead they talked Elvis into getting a guitar.

In 1953, Elvis stopped by Sun record studios out of curiosity to find out what he sounded like on disc. He gifted the songs he recorded named “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches” to his mother as a birthday present. In 1954, he recorded another song and gained the attention go Sam Phillips. With the help of

On Elvis 11th birthday he received his first guitar . A few years later he grew a taste for music after winning a talent show . Elvis could also play the Bass and piano . When

Elvis had inspired many great singers and songwriters such as Bruce Springsteen, and John Lennon. Bruce Springsteen was influenced by Elvis Presley at the age of 6. John Lennon (The Beatles) learned how to play Banjo after seeing Elvis play guitar. John and His Mother shared a love for Elvis Presley. In 1961 Elvis received the award for Vocal single of the year. The song that got him this award was “It’s Now or Never.” Elvis Presley was also named Las Vegas Entertainer of the year in 1969. RCA also honored the King for highest record sales in company history. RCA made a statement about Elvis, it said “His sound which evolved from the roots in the deep south, combined elements of Country, Western, Rhythm, Blues,and Gospel was new and it was instantly popular.” Growing up Elvis was a choir boy and in the third grade he took his guitar to school everyday with him. (“Elvis Presley.” American

Elvis Presley was an icon for the Rock and Roll musical genre. He began recording in 1953, and remained popular throughout the sixties and seventies (Elvis Presley 1). Vernon and Gladys Presley from Tupelo, Mississippi welcomed Elvis Presley into the world on January 8, 1935. He was accompanied at his birth by a twin brother named Jesse Garon that was stillborn; and buried at their home. His family was not very wealthy, so his love for music started at his church - a place where he sang gospel music.