Gianni Sbarro
Professor Torff
MU 0102
May 4, 2015
Elvis: Satisfying the Expectations Elvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in a small, two-room ranch in Tupelo, Mississippi. His parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, lost Elvis’s twin brother, Jessie Garon, at birth, leaving Elvis an only child. Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, in which he attended Humes High School for 5 years. Shortly after his graduation in 1953, Elvis began his extraordinary singing career with the renowned Sun Records Label. In 1955, Elvis met his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, after booking an opening act for the Canadian singer “Snow”. Colonel Parker recognized the limitations of Sun Studios and decided to sell Elvis’s recording contract
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He broke the chains of the puritanical lifestyle of 1950s America. Despite the media constantly ridiculing him for being vulgar, incompetent, and a bad influence on society, the power of his music was too overbearing to suppress. He signaled to the masses that a new age has come. Mark Bernardo points this out in his book “Elvis Presley: Memphis”, in which he writes, “In the United States, rock ‘n’ roll had outgrown Memphis and become a national phenomenon. Elvis’ influence was evident in the new crop of teen idols that appeared on the scene, including Fabian, Frankie Avalon, and Paul Anka. All the while, the Colonel worked feverishly to keep Elvis’ music in the national spotlight, releasing singles at well-planned intervals; for the most part, his strategy was successful. But to the legions of Elvis fans who continued to listen to his tunes and read about his army exploits in magazines, nothing could compare to the thrill of seeing the King return home” (Bernardo, “Elvis Presley: Memphis”, 134). As a white Southerner performing blues mixed with country and gospel music, Elvis united American music in all aspects, including race and color, making him one of the most import social and cultural figures in history. Elvis had a way about him, in that his performances moved the masses, using a natural sexuality that drew teens to adore him, as well as attracting a generations of rebels as an international …show more content…
He used this charm and capability to his advantage, allowing him to gain unending love from his fans. His magnetism extended so far that Colonel Parker saw an opportunity to use his “Pretty Face” on the Hollywood screen. Colonel Parker saw this as an opportunity to redefine Elvis’ image as a more mature, and profitable extension. From the beginning, the changes did not appeal to his supporters. The people who loved Elvis for his charisma and uniqueness felt as though he was pulling away and “selling out” to the mainstream media expectations. Eventually, Elvis’ maturing persona was recognized nationwide, particularly by the film director Norman Taurog, who saw opportunity in a more professional Elvis, who did more than just shake his hips and pick a guitar. Taurog was recorded saying to Elvis, “Whatever change you’re going through, keep going. You finally came of age.” From this single quote, we can see what Elvis’ business associates and the public expected of him, a man with a bigger burden to carry. Elvis was extremely self-conscious when it came to satisfying the expectations of others. He payed close attention to how people perceived him, and Taurog’s awareness of his expanding maturity was very important to Elvis. While Elvis knew that the music industry had tremendous respect for his talent, he was insecure as to how the rest of the entertainment
Even though Presley did not have the best childhood, he made the most of it through music. Elvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi to Vernon and Gladys Presley (Elvis Presley Biography). Presley was supposed to have a twin brother named Jesse Garon, but he was stillborn (Elvis Presley Biography). This is important because Elvis’s life may have been different if he grew up with his brother, Jesse. Presley was raised with poor parents, with
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
Society was not ready for the steamy storm that would be Elvis Presley, but when it hit, they loved it. One of the most fascinating things Elvis has done is change society from prim to promiscuous. In the 1950s , things were on the safe side. No one was
Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935. Elvis had a twin brother named Jesse Garon who soon died after his birth. Mississippi is in the South which means that as a child Elvis was exposed to segregation. Later in 1948 he moved with his parents to Memphis, Tennessee. Later in 1953, he graduated High School and
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.
What can be said for the music artist Elvis Presley, other than he is most undoubtedly the reason that Rock and Roll survived past its start, and grew to the massive popularity that it still grasps onto to this day. Although he may have been born a simple white southerner, he masterfully intertwined country music with the raw emotion of gospel and blues in order to create his own breed of unmatchable music. By him taking two vastly different genres of music from two equally different cultures, he successfully managed to blur the prominent color line that divided all of America up until the 1950s. He did all of this while enthralling the youth of America and singlehandedly caused an idea of teenage rebellion that lasted far past his popularity,
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.
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 was born January 8,1935 in Tupelo Mississippi, he was suppose to be a twin, but his brother Jesse Garon was stillborn. He was raised by a loving, working class family, they had little money and moved frequently, he was devoted to his parents especially his mom and was raised to have a strong faith in God.
Elvis Aaron Presley was born on january 8th 1935 in tupelo, mississippi. Elvis had a twin brother, Jessie Garon, Who was a stillborn leaving Elvis to grow up being an only child. Elvis’s parents are Vernon and Gladys Presley. Elvis and his family were a close knit hard working family. They had very little money but they all worked to help pay the bills.
Elvis Presley was born on January 8th, 1935 to Vernon and Gladys Presley in Tupelo, Mississippi. He had a twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, who was stillborn. Elvis and his mother, Gladys, had a very close relationship. Gladys quit her job so she could spend time with Elvis, and took him everywhere she went. Because of the death of Elvis’ brother, Jesse, Gladys became very protective of Elvis. At the age of two, at the newly built Assembly of God church, Elvis sang his first performance, showing the first signs of his performing instincts. Elvis and his mother went to church
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.
His appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show gave the network the highest rating at the time, and yet “Elvis the Pelvis” was shot only from waist up. His hip dusting moves was too risque for 1950s Americans, along with his nature. Yet Elvis was a very religious man; daily he would read the bible, he would never drink, and most of his songs had religious connotations. He was a humble man who remembered where he came from.Elvis Presley was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi. He grew up with little money, and his family lived off of welfare. During the year of 1948 Presley moved to Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 13, and there he was introduced to the black community. In Memphis he was a frequent singer at the Reverend H.W. Brewster’s black Memphis church where he learned gospel music.
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 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