Elvis: The Most Influential Character In Pop Culture

The Popular Music Forum- Essay #2

There is no doubt that Elvis was one of the most influential characters in pop culture in the 1950s, but the true magnitude of his influence often goes unrecognized. The idea of the “American Dream” has existed since the birth of the USA, but the vast majority of its citizens can’t understand the concept. Many people assume that the American Dream is related to consumerism and the acquisition of material wealth. But the true concept of the American Dream described by Dictionary is “the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American”. Although Elvis Presley was still involved with consumerism and material wealth, as shown by his affinity for pink Cadillacs and his gargantuan home, Graceland, he exhibits the core values of the true American Dream in his efforts to rid the US of racism and segregation, allowing every citizen to receive an equal opportunity at success.

But in reality, what he did with their music helped the black community more that people give him credit for. Elvis took aspects of black music, blended it with white music, and then presented it to a white audience in order to further integrate black and white cultures. In a conversation with Jackie Williams, Elvis claims “The truth is, I was just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time - and all I did was to take their music and introduce it to a white audience” (Elvis Presley Biography). Presley’s work truly was genius. He created popular songs that mixed sounds from both sides of the cultural spectrum in an attempt to unite everyone through music and promote