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Elvis Presley's Influence On African American Culture

510 Words3 Pages

In the 1920s, jazz music, which originated from African Americans, was booming out of popularity. Both whites and blacks saved up their money to go to Harlem and danced all night to the music. However, as time passed, hip hop, also originated from African Americans, emerged in the 1940s. It received a lot of hate out of fear of its “devil music” and the music “sounding black.” This changed and shaped how teenagers rebelled against and challenged social values and norms in order to be able to express themselves freely. Music promoted how teenagers rebel against society even to this day. However, this was a huge case back in the 1940s. Rock n' roll spread like wildfire and made record sales soar. By 1958, teens were buying 70 percent of the records …show more content…

Millions of people, mostly teenagers, came to adore Presley and listen to him on a day-to-day basis. However, multiple parents did not see him the same way. He stirred up controversy, especially about his “suggestive,” provocative dance moves, which were considered scandalous and inappropriate by many conservative groups and older generations. Parents have started to forbid their teenagers from listening to Presley. However, Presley has already become the voice of youth who expressed their longing for freedom and individuality (Kellner 10). This resulted in teenagers rebelling against society to be able to freely express themselves. Music also allowed teenagers to go against and challenge society's norms. Presley uncovered feelings that teenagers had never felt before regarding their sexual instincts. Back in the 1950s, it was society's norm to always have them hidden. Now, teenagers, especially girls, express their sexual wants, which causes adults to believe Presley is a terrible influence. Parents tried to forbid their teenagers from listening to him, but that only caused their teenagers to

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Rock N Roll was prevalent across the nation in the early 50s that affected the lives of millions of Americans in ways that were never expected. In analyzing the impacts of Rock N Roll, the most important subjects to focus on are political, cultural and economical. One of America’s most musical legendary icons took most of the credit (and blame) for the birth of Rock N Roll. He was none other than Elvis Presley, and will be the main focus referred to in this essay. In the eyes of the parents of the young kids and teenagers in the 50s and 60s, Rock N Roll was thought to be linked to juvenile behavior ("Rock ‘n’ Roll/Teen Rebels.").

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Elvis Presley Musicians and music have affected cultures and society for the past 1000 years. People in the past would only listen to certain music: caucasians would listen to classic pop, but African Americans would listen to jazzy-style and doo-wop music. In the mid-1950s, Elvis Presley started his music career. Well, who was Elvis Presley? Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935, but later moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

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Rock ‘n’ roll wasn’t just a style of music; it was a movement that shook the norms of society as a whole. The 1950s is popularly known for the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, which transformed the United States. After WWII, young teens began rebelling against society and the social rules they were expected to follow, which is why many rock musicians rose to fame because of their unique take on music. The young people of this time revolted in ways that challenged society's standards and essentially pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable. They tested their freedom and expressed their individuality.

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From this view, it shows how many of the younger audience of this felt about Rock n Roll during the 50’s, with the exception of the older generation, who had negative attitudes towards this specific genre of music. Churches seemed to side with the older generation, claiming that this popular style was Satan’s music. (Independence Hall Association). The movements that came along with this style were also loathed by these groups (Independence Hall Association). However, some research shows that music can affect the way people act or feel.

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Elvis influenced youth through his lyrics and moves embracing sexuality that was repressed during these years. Teens would rip their clothes during his concerts and started dancing and talking about sex more openly.   His dancing was considered vulgar and considered to promote sexual and juvenile delinquency leading to politicians banning rock shows and parents criticizing his music as “ bad taste” and “music of the colored”. Elvis music one of the first example of how Rock and Roll music started being censored which ironically made Elvis even more popular because that edginess is what the white-conservative- dystopian society  needed to change

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Step back into the 1950s. People laughing, perfect families in every household, and children obeying every rule their parents made. Think again. The 1950s changed after the media introduced a new sound, rock-and-roll. Rock-and-roll changed life for families with its sound by changing teens’ view on what they were supposed to be.

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Rock and roll music is a combination of African American rhythm and blues and country music. This represented a significant departure from the more traditional musical styles of the time. There were some big artists in this time such as Big Joe Turner, Bill Haley and His Comets, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and etc. Rock and Roll was very appealing to the younger generation because of the upbeat tempo and fast paced music. The emergence of rock and roll music also reflected the social and political changes of the time, as there was growing sense of rebellion among young people led to a greater emphasis on individualism and freedom.

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Rock and roll music began as a means for expressing the teenage generation’s rebelliousness, aggressiveness, and lust. By the 1970s, the social order of gender was dictated by the masculinization of rock and marginalization of females in rock—this is chiefly due to the notion that men are more superior to women and rock plays a significant role in perpetuating these gender stereotypes. Previously, young women were the dominating group that rock and roll was catering to, which was evident in the performances of Elvis and the Beatles. In essence, it was empowering for women and the idea that gender norms were being broken was challenging to idea of male superiority. Rock music adopted masculinization because “rebellion” and “aggressiveness” are

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