Elvis Presley
by Ralph P. & Chris C.
Few men from any time period have become as successful, as well liked, or as representative of an era than Elvis Presley. Dubbed the “King of Rock-n-roll,” Presley became a pioneer in music by mixing country, blues, and gospel into a genre that was completely new to most of America.
In January 1956, Elvis released his first single, “heartbreak hotel,” and the response was overwhelming. The single would become his first to sell over 1 million copies, but definitely not the last. “The King” would eventually produce 52 singles and 81 albums that became either gold or platinum selling records.
What made the incredible popularity of the music even more astonishing however, was that a white boy from Tennessee was making music of a style that had previously only been performed by black artists. At the height of the civil rights movement, while the government and various school systems were attempting to merge racial cultures, Presley succeeded in this merger. His fusion of white and black music not only introduced the white mainstream to aspects of black culture, but also paved the way for black artists to reach audiences not limited to their own race. People who liked Elvis and wanted to hear similar music had to racially broaden their tastes since no other white artist was doing what he was doing at the time.
The young, white, good-looking package that that music was wrapped in however, made it much more accessible to mainstream, middle-class America, especially teenage girls. At first glance, Elvis Presley was the ideal American boy; he was handsome, had made a name for himself despite humble beginnings, and even served his country in the United States Navy (1958-1959). A viewing of one of his live shows however, revealed a much racier and rebellious side of the young star. Presley’s stage presence was as revolutionary as his music, but not as widely accepted due to its somewhat graphic nature. The way he moved his legs and gyrated his hips drove girls wild, infuriated censors, and helped define the rock and roll attitude that has lasted for more than 50 years. “Elvis the Pelvis” single-handedly introduced sex to rock music, and the two have been inextricably linked ever since.
While most of his live audiences went crazy for his on-stage antics, Presley encountered some resistance from others already in the entertainment business. After a performance on the “Milton Berle Show” that caused a media frenzy over its overt sensuality, Ed Sullivan swore that Elvis would never be on his TV show. He later changed his mind, and Presley was allowed to appear on the “Ed Sullivan Show” but was only filmed from the waist up.
Elvis left an undeniable mark on music and pop culture in the 1950’s and beyond. As the first real “Rock star,” he set the stage for the musical and sexual revolutions that occurred in the following decade. “Before Elvis, there was nothing.”(John Lennon). Although Presley’s career and fame continued long after the 50’s, it was his vision and accomplishments during that time that will forever make him a legend. “His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture.” (President Jimmy Carter, 1977).
Source:
1. The Official Website of Elvis Presley. 23 October 2006.
Few men from any time period have become as successful, as well liked, or as representative of an era than Elvis Presley. Dubbed the “King of Rock-n-roll,” Presley became a pioneer in music by mixing country, blues, and gospel into a genre that was completely new to most of America.
In January 1956, Elvis released his first single, “heartbreak hotel,” and the response was overwhelming. The single would become his first to sell over 1 million copies, but definitely not the last. “The King” would eventually produce 52 singles and 81 albums that became either gold or platinum selling records.
What made the incredible popularity of the music even more astonishing however, was that a white boy from Tennessee was making music of a style that had previously only been performed by black artists. At the height of the civil rights movement, while the government and various school systems were attempting to merge racial cultures, Presley succeeded in this merger. His fusion of white and black music not only introduced the white mainstream to aspects of black culture, but also paved the way for black artists to reach audiences not limited to their own race. People who liked Elvis and wanted to hear similar music had to racially broaden their tastes since no other white artist was doing what he was doing at the time.
The young, white, good-looking package that that music was wrapped in however, made it much more accessible to mainstream, middle-class America, especially teenage girls. At first glance, Elvis Presley was the ideal American boy; he was handsome, had made a name for himself despite humble beginnings, and even served his country in the United States Navy (1958-1959). A viewing of one of his live shows however, revealed a much racier and rebellious side of the young star. Presley’s stage presence was as revolutionary as his music, but not as widely accepted due to its somewhat graphic nature. The way he moved his legs and gyrated his hips drove girls wild, infuriated censors, and helped define the rock and roll attitude that has lasted for more than 50 years. “Elvis the Pelvis” single-handedly introduced sex to rock music, and the two have been inextricably linked ever since.
While most of his live audiences went crazy for his on-stage antics, Presley encountered some resistance from others already in the entertainment business. After a performance on the “Milton Berle Show” that caused a media frenzy over its overt sensuality, Ed Sullivan swore that Elvis would never be on his TV show. He later changed his mind, and Presley was allowed to appear on the “Ed Sullivan Show” but was only filmed from the waist up.
Elvis left an undeniable mark on music and pop culture in the 1950’s and beyond. As the first real “Rock star,” he set the stage for the musical and sexual revolutions that occurred in the following decade. “Before Elvis, there was nothing.”(John Lennon). Although Presley’s career and fame continued long after the 50’s, it was his vision and accomplishments during that time that will forever make him a legend. “His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture.” (President Jimmy Carter, 1977).
Source:
1. The Official Website of Elvis Presley. 23 October 2006.
posted by Leslie Madsen-Brooks at 10/30/2006 01:47:00 PM
1 Comments:
Did the white suburban kids who fainted at Elvis’s feet know that he was a hybrid of ‘black’ and ‘white’ music? The poster says that people who wanted to hear more of this type of music were forced to broaden their ‘musical sight’ (my awkward words) to the extent to which they would pay attention to black artists. I’m not sure if this is true. I would be interested to know just how many Elvis fans became fans of black artists as well because of his music. I’m not trying to question the posters statement. I just honestly was thinking about that as I read.
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