How Did Elvis Presley Influence Pop Culture

At eleven years old on January 8th, 1946 the premature King of Rock received his first guitar for his birthday (even though, hilariously, he was hoping for a bike) . Presley went on to earn his title as the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll through hard work and serious paparazzi. This was the first step of the major reform of society and pop culture. Elvis Presley’s exploration of morals and music turned overall values and traditions of teen pop culture upside down. Presley influenced teens to express themselves physically and emotionally, introduced them to a new upbeat type of music and started the spark of rebellion that caught teenagers on fire. A WOP BOP A LU BOP A WOP BAM BOOM! Little Richard sang it, but Elvis Presley did it. Elvis Presley taught teens to express themselves by example. Before the 1920s through the 1940s the “teenage” child was to stay at home and work with the family. They would “court” in front of parents and were to follow the mold made by society for a child until they were about 19 or 20. Elvis started the beginning of youth culture. Before, youth hadn’t had much of a spoken culture away from their parents.

The King’s provocativity sparked a social revolution. Previously, they had been encouraged to listen to their parents, but his rebellious streak intrigued youth. On the other hand, parents discouraged the idolization of Presley, as the obsession with him was huge. “He is destructive and aphrodisiac to our young people,” music legend, Frank Sinatra condemned. This, and other condemnations from leaders just added gasoline onto the fire. The youth were entranced. Girls were taken over with the concept of Elvis and his dancing. Boys caught the “bad-boy” trend Presley brought about, that girls swooned over. Skirts got shorter and boy’s shirts became “scandalous”. Elvis had truly swept the nation with his alluring rebellious