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How Did Elvis Presley Influence American Culture

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Elvis Presley’s Life & Influence of American Culture Born below the poverty line in the poorest state, Elvis Presley would go on to achieve major success during his lifetime, and even become the second highest earning deceased artist. (A&E Television Networks, Elvis Presley Biography (Apr. 30, 2016 eds. biography.com,) available at http://www.biography.com/people/elvis-presley-9446466) Much of Elvis’s extraordinary following surrounded his incorporation of traditionally African American musical styles into his performances. His talent for “interpreting the ‘race music’” gave way to a Americans’ belief he was transforming the state of our nation, and further they would be transformed through his music. (Stromberg, Peter. "Elvis Alive?: The Ideology Of American Consumerism." Journal Of Popular Culture 24.3 (1990): 11-19. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 May 2016.)
Elvis Presley’s continued influence on American culture may be seen through the impact on a multitude of genres. In 1977, close to 40,000 books included the name of Elvis Presley in the title, surpassing fellow Mississippian William Faulkner by over 10,000 books. (Cobb, James C. "Elvis Presley, Reluctant Rebel: His Life And Our Times." Journal …show more content…

His interest in music started from a young age, but it wasn't until after graduation he began the pursuit of his career. He later began working with Sam Phillips, a record label owner, who soon after gave him his big break. Elvis released his first single “That’s All Right” in 1954, and by 1955 he had many fans and a record deal. After many hit singles and an album, his acting career began. His first film Love Me Tender was a huge success. Elvis was only increasing in success when he received his draft notice in 1957. Presley’s time in the army led him to meet a teenager, Priscilla Beaulieu, that would later become his wife. Presley left the army in 1960 to return to his life of

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In 1956, the famous singer known as Elvis Presley released his first album. He started to grow as a popular artist, and began to change both race relations and popular teen culture. Elvis Presley was included in the History Channel’s 10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America video, and I believe that his effect on race relations and popular teen culture was the reason why he was included in the video.

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For Elvis to maintain his tour lifestyle he used several prescription medications, but this led to two of his old friends publishing a book on his drug use. The book had Elvis extremely paranoid, fearing and having recurring nightmares that he lost everything (Petersen). His lifestyle became too much on August 16, 1977 when he died in his bathroom in Graceland from heart failure ("Elvis Presley. " Research in Context). After “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis, “ ...continued to dominate the charts for two years until being drafted into the US army in 1958”(Petersen).

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On January 8th, 1935 a rock and roll super star was born. As Elvis grew up he was introduced into all kinds of music. As a young child, he sang at his church and preformed in his churches gospel group. Elvis won a talent show at Humes high school. Elvis cut his first demo at sun studio in 1953.

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According to the documentary, When America was Rocked, Elvis Presley was a rock ‘n’ roll teenage icon in the 1950’s. When he was signed for The Ed Sullivan Show, in September of 1956, fans all over were aroused. The Ed Sullivan Show was one of the most prestigious and popular shows in the 1950’s. Elvis Presley’s appearance on this show bolstered ratings and represented a huge moment in American Pop Culture history because of the influence of teenage consumerism, the mass impact of television, and the cultural and social challenges presented by rock ‘n’ roll music. Elvis Presley’s appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was impactful because of the influence of teenage consumerism.

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“Before Elvis, there was nothing,” John Lennon once proclaimed. July 5, 1954 marked a significant moment in the history of rock since it was when Elvis Presley recorded his first official single 'That's All Right Mama.' Elvis was a significant and extraordinary catalyst for vast cultural transformation in 1950s America. From his first single on, Elvis impacted America in immeasurable ways.

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In 1956 he signed a movie contract with Paramount Pictures( Par 5). His first film, “Love me Tender”(1956) was a box office hit (Par.6). In 1960 after serving in the military, Presley made it back on the charts with the soundtrack for his film “GI Blues”. The films he acted in were not always the best they were considered a “hit or miss”. Marcie Wallace states that Presley starred in 31 films during his career such as”Blue Hawaii”, “Girls!

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He was born with a twin but he was stillborn. Elvis’s family moved to memphis, tennessee and he graduated from Humes High School in 1953. This is where Elvis started his career. “In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA

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Before Elvis Presley was the “King of Rock n' Roll” he had a normal life like everyone else. Presleys story starts in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. Elvis grew up as an only child, because his twin brother, Jessie, was stillborn. Growing up he loved music. He would always dance and sing to his fathers music.

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Elvis Aaron Presley was born to a poor family in Tupelo, Mississippi in the year of 1935. Years later, he became one of the most influential musicians in modern American History. John Lennon once stated, “Before Elvis there was nothing” (qtd.in Meacham). With that being said, the effect Elvis Presley had on music is apparent in many ways in the past and present. Elvis impacted the music industry through changing the ethnic culture of music, making a new style of music, and influencing other musicians.

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Sign Elvis was born to Gladys and Elvis Presley in 1935 and he was their only child. Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi

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Elvis Presley is one of the biggest names in Rock n’ Roll music. He began his music career in the mid-50’s and continued to become “ The King of Rock and Roll”. He signed with Sun Records as a young adult, and his career only grew bigger after. He became a national music idol, performing on TV , radio and movie theaters. He was the first musician to sell more than a million copies from one album in history,  his songs always climbed to number one in the music charts and people would scream and cry of joy when they would see him.

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affected by the African- American culture, and was inspired by their music. He listened to radio stations that played "race records": spirituals, blues, and the modern, back-beat heavy sound of rhythm and blues.” His idols shaped him into the performer that he was, and helped him create the sound that was considered revolutionary at the time. Although Elvis Presley was celebrated because of his combination of the white and black culture, many people did not have the same positive feelings about it, which resulted in a lot of controversy. “Criticism from parents, educators, politicians, columnists, and religious leaders surrounded Presley constantly.

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Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Brought up with working-class parents meant for little money and various times of relocation. However, Elvis was profoundly dedicated to his parents, whom raised Presley to maintain a solid belief at the Assembly of God Church in which gospel was an influence. Presley’s youth included other influences enjoyed by his family and himself such as country music radio programs. October 3rd 1945, Elvis stands sings "Old Shep" in a youth talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show where the talent show is broadcast over WELO Radio in which Presley received $5.00 in fair ride tickets.

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Elvis moved at a young age because his parents each got a new job in Memphis. At the age 19, he had a job (McRee, 2008). Elvis knew many kinds of music from going to different places in Memphis. Elvis was a misfit in school because he was shy and dressed different (Schinder, 2007). Elvis would get his hipster clothes from Beale Street and would listen to African American music there (Krull, 2006).

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Elvis born in Mississippi. He was a southerner, but in his teenage years he spent a lot of time in urban parts of the city and grew to love African American music. When Elvis kicked off his music career he performed a lot of Blues music which was typically consider, African American music. Seeing a white man perform this music opened some people's eyes and they realized that if everyone can like the same music everyone can be treated the same. So without Elvis helping along with integration through his music, we might not have had as many people sold on the idea of integration.

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