How Has Elvis Changed America Essay

In March of 2018, the Recording Industry Association of America reported that 145.6 million copies of Elvis Presley’s song records were sold. To put that number into perspective, that is about 44.2% of the entirety of the United States’ population! This absolute massive number is a very small fraction of his popularity showing through the amount of sales, because he has a whopping over one billion copies of his records sold worldwide. But, what means even more is that Elvis has literally changed America and maybe the world forever, because the cultural influence and musical influence of late 1950s singer Elvis Presley has had a much larger impact than some record sales.

SHORT BIOGRAPHY Elvis Aaron Presley was born on the day of January 8,

His parents were Vernon and Gladys Presley. Elvis would always talk about how much he loved his mother. Born in the Great Depression, his parents were struggling to find work, so this meant that Elvis had to live through poverty and tough times. In 1948, they moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where they settled in the Graceland mansion and had a much better economical life. Elvis would soon graduate from this city’s High School in 1953. His parents then encouraged him to pursue a career in music, which would burn his name into the history books and change his fate and future forever. Beginning of his Career. In 1954, he released his first song “That’s All Right,” followed by the song that sent his career flying into the sky: “Heartbreak Hotel.” By 1956, he was already known by everybody internationally. His energetic, charismatic, and electrifying stage performances were loved at first sight by all Americans. His music was diverse and gosinspired by many different genres from his younger years, including: African-american blues, Christian gospel, and even Southern country. This unique style then went on to inspire many new artists in the music industry. Military Life and Death. In 1958, he was drafted into the army. Thankfully for him,

He was granted a short leave in 1958, and he released five new songs which gained him more popularity. His mother would then pass away some months later that same year. Elvis’ friends reported him “never being the same” after his beloved mother’s death. Two months later, he would meet his future wife at a military dinner party. Her name was Priscilla Beaulieu. After he was sent back home from the army in 1960, he would continue releasing successful songs and starring in 33 successful movies. Sadly, his life would end on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42 due to a heart attack and other problems in his bathroom at the Graceland mansion. Elvis Presley was reportedly a pure, kind, and humble soul, and his songs, works, and legacy, would be remembered for many years and decades in the future. He had drastically influenced the United States, and maybe even the whole world. The people in America loved Elvis, and Elvis loved the people in