How Did Elvis Presley's Impact On Youth Culture

2018

The King of Rock, King of Integration, and King of Youth Culture

Elvis Presley, known commonly as the King of Rock, plays as the most significant figure of rock and roll music. Presley’s music brought all people together, and broke past racial barriers. Presley changed the industry by integrating blues, gospel, and country music together into his own kind of rock and roll. By taking elements of traditionally black music, Presley helped by taking a step towards the end of segregation and bringing youth culture.

Elvis Presley was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, and began his singing career at the local First Assembly of God Church with his parents. During the summer of 1953, Presley paid four dollars to record songs as a birthday

By integrating African American music into his own kind, he increased opportunity for blacks in the music industry, and society. Black music was getting well known, and more liked because of Presley performing it, and encouraging it to be listened to. American society was beginning to have a change of cultural beliefs, and opinions of African Americans. Rock n’ roll during the 1950’s was credited, as well as criticized for advocating racial integration, and equal opportunity for all races in America. It brought black styles into a unique type of music that was being sung by everyone. Presley’s own kind of music became a cultural success, encouraging the civil rights movement in America.

To the black community during the civil rights movement of the 1950’s, Presley was a hero. Two African American newspapers, ‘The Memphis World’ and ‘The Tri-State Defender,’ stated Presley as a race man. His music played a part to gain this title, but it was mainly because of his indifference to black people. He viewed African Americans just the same as anyone else, and truly accepted and appreciated them. If it weren't for African American culture, Presley's music would not be the way it is today because he would have had no