Elvis Presley's Influene on American Culture

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 was signed to Sun Records in 1954. This was monumental for Phillips’s stand on racial boundaries in music. Elvis drew national attention to Sun Records which, in part, sparked slight popularity for other Sun artists such as Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, and Roscoe Gordon (Sun Records 1). This point in time is known as the origin of Rock and Roll. Contrary to what Rock and Roll is now, it was only popular within a certain demographic of people for a long time

Music has continued to change throughout each decade, but the 1960s was the most influential decade in the history of music. Starting in the early 1950s, rock music was first introduced. Major record labels were releasing new “cover songs” which were originally made by black artist, but now by white artist (Rock and Roll). These cover songs changed a few lyrics from the original songs to avoid copyright issues and to also make the song more appropriate for the white listeners. The biggest star of the 1950s was Elvis Presley, who was known as the “King of rock n’ roll”.

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

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 Presley was a legend in rock and roll in life. He still is the king of rock and roll even in death. He was born on January 8 1935 in Mississippi in 1948 his family moved to Memphis Tennessee, where he graduated high school from Humes High School. He was attracted to music at a young age and began his music career in 1954 with Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955 his recording contract was bought by RCA Victor. By 1956 he was an international sensation. He starred in 33 films and did hundreds of shows and specials. This success would eventually lead him to an early death.

Presley facilitated desegregation through his music genre and selection. He did this by creating music for both Black and White listeners “integrating” the two music genres. For instance, Elvis Presley’s first single released in July of 1954 began his career of integrating Black and White music. This record contained a cover of “That’s All Right” an R&B song which was originally written and recorded by the African American artist Arthur Crudup on side A. While side B was a recording of a cover of the bluegrass song “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by the white artist Bill Monroe. This representation showed the American people that both Black and White culture could live side by side beautifully. This record also displayed the beginning Presley’s attitude and complete disregard for segregation.

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

Did you know that elvis presley has sold over a billion records worldwide? Well it's true, eighteen of his records were such a hit that they were number one on billboard's top one hundred. Those records even earned him the name “The king of rock n roll”. Elvis presley is a rock n roll legacy. Elvis had a pretty eventful childhood , career and personal life, and of course his legacy and death.

Elvis Aron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi at 4:00 a.m. January 8, 1935. He died August 16, 1977 when he was 42 years old. During his life, he was a superstar in many different genres of music. He was successful in Pop, Gospel, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country, and Blues. Elvis Presley was a natural phenomenon.

Elvis Presley was best known for his integration of R&B and country music. The public was scared that not only Presley would integrate music but also the white and black community. Which was something he did actually achieve according to Little Richard “He was an integrator. Elvis was a blessing. They wouldn’t let black music through. He opened the door for black music” (Elvis After 198). Parents were afraid of his music, considering it was said that he had a voice of a black man. He caused controversy, a white man singing black music on the radio.This controversy grew as Presley grew in

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.

When Elvis first appeared in the consciousness of America, rock and roll was still a new

Elvis Presley is a very well-known artist and had an influence on the American culture from the beginning. From a book, I found titled, American Icons: An Encyclopedia of the People, Places, and Things that have Shaped our Culture by Dennis R. Hall and Susan Grove Hall. One of the entries in the book was about Elvis Presley. The first sentence of the book says “Long live the King- and Elvis Presley has. Like no other king.

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.