How Has Elvis Changed America

They believed his music was an attempt at corruption by the black culture, and accused Elvis of stealing “the black man’s music.” Elvis revolutionized the way the world looked at music. He starred in movies, made music, videos, and appeared on television in the living rooms of crazed fans all over the country. He wasn’t playing anyone’s music, but his own. He didn’t apologize for anything, and his rebellious attitude developed what we now understand to be the Rock n’ Roll Lifestyle.

Music was a part of everyday life for teenagers as well as their parents. As teenagers were given more opportunities in the decisions they were making for their own futures, they also thought they should have the opportunity to listen to whatever music they wanted to. Elvis Presley became very popular during this time period and many of the teens began to imitate him in their daily lives, (Mathieson). With these actions happening, it

This is why a regulation that censored the media because it was believed to cause young teens to act like juvenile. The music was blamed for when teens would act out and parents could not be controlled, teens would also act out and feel more juvenile due to the way rock n’ roll music changed the ways of teens lives. It gave them the means to change their whole life style by how they dress and act. Elvis is indeed a cultural icon of the highest order, a global popular who continues to attract adulation and fanatic devotion throughout the

Presley’s provocative dancing moves were criticized mostly by the whites who strongly believed that Presley was violating their values. Presley danced passionately by thrusting his pelvis and shaking his hips. Some parents were not impressed by Presley’s way of dancing thus turned against his music. Again, the old generation disliked him for no good reason, however; all the controversies around Presley made him more popular. By the end of 1955, Elvis had successfully moved from local to national sensation. According to Wallace (100), Presley’s popularity increased the blacks’

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 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

His dance moves, revolutionized the culture’s sense of what rock and roll should look like. Moves like his pelvic thrusts from side to side earning him the name, Elvis the Pelvis. This never before seen televised stunt forced most producers to only film Elvis from the waist up, as it was seen as too unsuitable for the younger audience. Though his dancing in jailhouse rock became an instant classic as his choreographed dance steps made his song even more energetic and charismatic.

The genre of rock and roll has been and will continue to be a genre fueled by rebellion. Even the King, as hometown sweet and charming as he was, had a flare for the raucous. Elvis Presley’s gyrating hips and drug addiction had set the standard; the old saying is, in fact, sex, drugs and rock and roll. From then on, this genre was all about pushing the boundaries of what could be done. For some, it meant being shirtless on stage; for others, it meant they had to eat a bat on stage. Regardless of the stunts pulled, rock and roll was their drive. What began as a mesmerizing combination of R&B and country, became a catalyst for change and the heart and soul of generations.

Presley was also a terrific dancer, and broke the rules in traditional showmanship, which often put him in the middle of controversy. “Presley has already appeared six times on national television, but it is his appearance on The Milton Berle Show on June 5, 1956, that triggers the first controversy of his career. Presley sings his latest single, "Hound Dog," with all the pelvis-shaking intensity his fans scream for” (Marsh). Elvis chose to dance in this manner to express himself, and did not see any issues surrounding it. He did what he felt like doing, and would inspire artists such as James Brown and Jim Morrison of The Doors to have a breathtaking stage presence. For this reason, several religious groups were outraged at Elvis’ chosen form of expression, and started protesting the young singer. “Television critics across the country slam the performance for its ‘appalling lack of musicality,’ for its ‘vulgarity’ and ‘animalism.’ The Catholic Church takes up the criticism in its weekly organ in a piece headlined ‘Beware Elvis Presley.’ Concerns about juvenile delinquency and the changing moral values of the young find a new target in the popular singer” (Marsh). The churches were particularly angered at Presley’s dancing, and rallied against him, much to the chagrin of the teenage fans. In like manner, newspapers would express public outcries of why Elvis’ music should be banned from their towns, leading to a short decline in Elvis’ record sales. With these two characteristics of performing, Elvis would go on to inspire countless musicians, all over the

culture. Elvis was the embodiment of rock and roll and, therefore, a significant part of 20th

By Elvis Presley’s seventh grade year, the family moved to another house within the same town. The house was only for whites, yet, was within a satisfactory ‘colored neighborhood’. However, the Presley’s moved once again just a year later to Memphis, Tennessee, which was about 80 miles away. Before leaving Milam Junior High, Presley did one more thirty minute performance for the class, which included the song ‘Leaf on a Tree’. Once in Memphis, Presley started to attend Humes High School.

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.

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”.

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.

Elvis Presley was also a massive influence on social change. In the 1950’s, he was broadcast all over the country, but only from the waist up. This created speculation and interest in what the media was hiding down below. His dancing was seen as outrageous, with pelvis shaking.