The Elvis Craze The public made Elvis Presley larger than life, better known than Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and in some cases God Himself. I cannot quite understand the Elvis craze. I don't think he was a handsome man, I don't enjoy his music, I won't waste my time trying to sit through one of his boring, talentless movies, and if, God forbid, I end up on my deathbed with some horrible, incurable disease, I certainly won't make a pilgrimage to Graceland to be miraculously healed. Jack Gould conveyed some of my feeling in the essay TV: New Phenomenon when he wrote, "Mr. Presley has no discernible singing ability." Although he gave away cars, cash, and gifts to friends, family, and sometimes, strangers, I can't think of any of his …show more content…
In his teen years, Elvis absorbed the cultural aspects and musical style of Country, Gospel, and Rhythm & Blues. He lived in the South, where Country music was most prevalent, it was sort of a "given" for him for him to adopt the country music style. His parents were devout churchgoers, and Elvis frequently attended the all night revivals, where he enjoyed jumping around and singing the gospel. It is also known that Elvis spent quite a bit of time on Memphis's Beale Street, known for its Rhythm & Blues clubs. When Elvis did unoriginal songs that had been sung previously by other artists, he added his own flavor that was made up of his mixed Gospel, Country, and R & B background. His style drew diverse crowds, and songs such as "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" went to #1 in the Country, R & B and Pop charts. None of this justifies the deification of Elvis. After a brief stint in the US Army, Elvis started concentrating more on movies. He made a wide variety of movies, GI Blues, Blue Hawaii, Viva Las Vegas, and Fun in Acapulco to name a few. Although the movies were basically glorified music videos, as they contained no real plot and a lot of singing, these movies and their songs made millions. I honestly think that if the "Elvis myth" that is discussed in Griel Marcus's essay, Presliad, had not already been put in place by Elvis's fans, the movies would not have grossed half the money,
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
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 will always be known as the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll. He changed the world by bringing new types of great entertainment with making awesome movies or fantastic music and even serving his country. Elvis Presley is certainly a hero of change because he brought excitement to all people with awesome entertainment. Perhaps if people were like Elvis Presley the world would be a happy place all of the
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.
Most telling of all, Elvis was the most popular entertainer in the world, a figure of constant attention who came off as the boy next
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”.
It was later ruled that his death was related to his prescription drug use, Presley was buried in Graceland near his mother, father and grandmother. Throughout his career, he helped popularize rock n roll music in American. He won three Grammy awards for his gospel recordings, he had 18 no 1 singles, including “Don’t Be Cruel”, “Good Luck Charm” and “Suspicious Minds”, as well as countless gold and plantium album. Elvis has been recongized for his contributions several musical genres, most notably rock, country and gospel. Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s most popular music icons. Presleys memphis home is open to the public and numerous fans from around the world visit the legendary residence annually. especially around his birthday and the anniversary of his death. “ You should see this from our point of view. Its amazing,” Priscilla said during the event, according to the Washington Post. “The candles are lit. It’s truly a sight to behold, this is something that Elvis would never, ever have believed could haven taken place.” Elvis Presley changed many lifes during his fame and he had a successful career and knowing how great of an impact he has made on everyone is how he influenced the way we live
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 Presley was, is, and will forever be known as the King of Rock and Roll. No matter what the public thought of him, he did what he loved because he believed in his music and lifestyle. Elvis once stated, “Rock and roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can't help but move to it. That's what happens to me. I can't help it.” This quote sparked a feeling of ambition and drove the dreams of almost every single rock and roll star who came after him. Elvis’ true passion for his music, inspired an inexplicable amount of people to pursue their dreams and be passionate about what they love. Elvis Presley by Tony Gentry explains how Elvis Presley became one of the most iconic figures in music history.
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
People hear the name Elvis Presley and think of his music career and not necessarily by what means the nation looked at him during his own era. There is so much more to Elvis’s inspirational roots from being a poor boy living a rough childhood to becoming a catalyst iconic man for his time. Often overlooked, Elvis altered many views towards racism, music, and how people united. The outcome of Elvis’s upbringings and his assemblings of society changed the life we live today. Our own selves have much to acknowledge for what Elvis has done for us, and the value that he is today.
success as the King of Rock and Roll. While it is true that Elvis was not the inventor of rock and
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.
When historians look at history and at reasons why society changed many focus on conflicts like wars, civil rights, and poverty. However, there is so much more that over time changed America. One of the most influential subjects that helped this change was Elvis Presley. Through his music, which was influenced by black artists, he allowed white Americans to view a new group of performers. He tested social boundaries that helped him change American culture. His appearance and singing would end up changing the teenage world by introducing new trends in fashion and music. Presley was the reason why we have Rock-N-Roll. As a business and a singer, he brought America together into a new type of society; therefore he is a