How Did Elvis Presley Impact Society

Throughout his years, Elvis Presley released multiple records and performed on different shows and movies (Wilson). He was known for his crazy dance moves and fun flamboyant suits and outfits, creating a new social revolution that piqued many teens’ interests at the time. While he was a typical child and followed many norms of society, he also rebelled and started a new social reform (Meacham). As a person who was thrown into fame and grew in popularity basically over night, Elvis Presley had a lot of expectations and standards to meet as a new star. Throughout his many years of fame, Elvis was forced to conform with and rebel against the standards set in place in the 1950s. Conformity is essential for one to both fit in and make positive influences

Born in the midst of the Great Depression, his parents were poor like many others at the time. He was born a twin, but his twin did not survive, so Presley changed his middle name to honor him. His family later moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, a town full of music and kids with similar interests where he made many friends (Wilson). Presley attended East Tupelo Consolidated School on Lake Street during his elementary years, soon getting guitar lessons from Frank Smith, the pastor at the church they attended. One of his teachers, impressed by his talent, sent him to the principal who entered him in a radio talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair (Wilson). He later attended Milam Junior High School for his middle school years (“Elvis Presley, the Student”). After moving to Memphis, he continued his education before graduating high school and getting a job driving a supply truck for Crown Electric. He performed a total of 22 acts at Humes High School and did okay in school, loving to read and blossoming in his Junior year where his fun outfits emerged (Wilson and “Elvis Presley, the Student”). In the 1950s, people were expected to follow various social norms, fitting in and not having a suggestive attitude. This was also a time of racism, meaning blacks were looked down upon and whites did not see them as equals. However, the 1950s was also a large time period of rebellion, especially against racial

He then got a job before fully pursuing his music career. Throughout his career, Elvis had to conform to the different standards and expectations in society. He performed in different shows and movies like other music stars throughout time (Wilson). For example, Elvis was asked to perform on the Steve Allen Show, which would be a big step in his early career. The only issue was that Steve Allen was not a fan of Elvis’s style or dance moves. If Elvis wanted to perform on the show, he would have to agree to wear a bow tie and tails, which was strongly against his style (“Elvis Presley was humiliated”). Early in his career, Elvis had no choice but to conform to the standards and expectations set in place by society and his employers if he wanted to have a good reputation and view from the public eye. He still wanted to keep his fame and be viewed positively (“Elvis Presley was humiliated”). Conforming to society's expectations led to crowds wanting the “old Elvis” back as they liked him for his unique entertainment that brought him his fame. His unique voice, songs, style and dance moves are what made Elvis the star that he was, and conforming to society's standards and expectations took his unique flair away. As his flamboyant style thrilled teens with the new fashion movement he led, they wanted Elvis to remain how he was (Anderson). However, conforming allowed him to be influential as people