Elvis Presley – The King of Pop

Elvis Presley is one of the most significant members of rock and roll history. At first he grew up as a poor white, country boy. Peter Guralnick describes Elvis pop-out as “so sudden, his music so fresh, his personality so evocative that he could not be labeled”. Rock n’ Roll had been a known genre in the music industry until Elvis took music and revolutionized it and changed the game. Tupelo, Mississippi had been his home and here he began singing with his parents at the local First Assembly of God Church. Later in his life he decided to visit a record a song at Memphis Recording Studio, a year later the owner Sam Phillips called Elvis to try and uncover his talent, a few hours in the realized the hidden gem they stumbled upon. Elvis had a very unique style and he showed this by his style, values and interesting dances moves which challenged social norms and soon created an entire new generation. During Elvis’ career places like the South was racially segregated, although his music had such a strong effect he managed to break through these racial barriers. African American music was exposed to young white Americans, that never got a chance to experience this.

Elvis never sided with society norms especially in his clothing choices considering how he loved wearing oversized pieces and such. He would also wear his hair with an extreme amount of grease, he was a sight for sore eyes although not many people saw it that way. Many of his classmates, teachers and even coworkers would look at him in disgust. “Elvis was told if he didn’t get a haircut he would be fired… and it didn’t help when Dixie’s uncle, who had been telling him to get a haircut all along”. Unfortunately this was only the start for the poor boy although he maintained himself, he built a wall to block out all negative comments. So as decades passed more and more people would begin to acknowledge it most adults saw it as odd and bothersome but his choice in clothing gave teens a chance to finally embrace themselves and wear what they wanted even if it broke social norms. Not only that he gave them their own music to listen too meanwhile, the generation that grew up with Elvis was allowed to experience things that their previous one did not which was freedom for expression.

Adults from start to end did not like Elvis and the way he presented himself some believed he was “the equivalent of a male strip teaser, with the exception that he doesn’t take his clothes off” (interview La Crosse) but in fact this was quite the exact opposite granted he seemed a little funk he didn’t see any problem he the way he performed. During an interview he said “I don’t do no dirty body movements” (interview La Crosse). This was entirely true teens were finally dressing in a manner they did not believe was possible. People thought Elvis was a negative influence but it was very positive. He created a social revolution where sexuality could be expressed in any way a person saw fit. Elvis gave kids the ability to have an identity different from their parents. At the time U.S had been very segregated more so in the South. Groups like the KKK were formed to ensure separation of whites and blacks. Many events that occurred during the 50’s, 60’s etc. did give them a voice but most whites in the South didn't like this and tried to keep them quiet. Listening to black music was strictly prohibited in the white society, but with the help of Elvis that eventually changed. This form of music became hated along with the creator Elvis, he had great “respect for African American performers and their music, and disregarded the norms of segregations and racial prejudice then prevalent in the South”. Since the Americans youth had never experienced the black man’s culture, Elvis impact was rather profound.

Elvis became a pivotal point for this type of music and he was more than willing to talk about the importance of his inspiration from African American music. “The colored folks been singing it and playing it just like I’m don’ now for more years than I know. They played it like that in the shanties and in their juke joints and nobody paid it no mind ‘til I goose it up. I got it from them, down in Tupelo, Mississippi I used to hear old Arthur Crudup band his box the way I do now, and I said if I ever got to the place I could feel all old Arthur felt, I’d be a music man like nobody ever saw” (radio show Frisco). People knew this and did not like for their kids to listen to this type of music. With time of course white Americans began to enjoy African music. Indirectly he paved a path for African American artists people were finally willing to listen to artist of color. As both Elvis and other African Americans music grew in popularity, social norms and beliefs had begun to change in an incredibly positive way. Elvis revolutionized the music industry but that was not the only thing, his music set the road for many more upcoming musicians. Susan Doll believes that “today’s generation automatically perceives music of the 1960’s to be the model they return to for inspiration and influence. They look to artists such as Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and James Brown.” The vibes, beats and feel of rock n’ roll started from the man, the myth, the legend Elvis. Artist such an John Lennon has stated that “Before Elvis, there was nothing, Greil Marcus believes that “Without the astonishing success of Elvis – nearly 500 million copies of his records had been sold by the time he died rock n’ roll might have been a passing fad.”

Elvis had been asked “Who do you sound like” Elvis answered “I don’t sound like nobody”. Who knew that this would be the defining moment of a new generation one in which expression is in the eye of the beholder. Although Elvis was called foul names none the less for example Elvis and the Pelvis, his parents referred to his music as devil music. People thought he was a wretched man, distasteful, perverted etc. Even if adults choose to not embrace it. Elvis tweaked it and became revolutionary ad he made his own piece of art which allowed him to challenge social and moral values of the time. With a perfect mixture of blues, gospel and country music or what we call modern day rock n’ roll Elvis was more that an artists but an inspiration to all. A light bringer for the hopeless. Elvis Presley a man who did not judge off of looks but the soul itself, a man who gave a chance to the silenced, a man who gave teens the ability to be who they truly wanted to be. He was a revolutionist beyond belief, a boy who once started off as a mere poor boy who lived with his parents moving place to place soon became a hero by not only changing the music industry but by altering American history as a whole. He gave us the biggest gift of all freedom and upon his death spread his gift to other artist to spread.