Elton John: An Influenced Contemporary Pop/Rock Artist

1101 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Music culture in the 70s

Ser Elton John has been one of the most iconic and successful British pop stars since the 1970’s. His music is based from his own life experiences as well as those of his country and of his time. Elton John is known for his passion and vivacity for his career, his fortitude to fight AIDS, his homosexuality and his importance to the evolution of the British and the American pop/rock genre.
Elton john has been claimed “the Liberace of rock and roll” (8) for his spectacular show of music, imagery, outward flamboyancy and artistic passion. Originally born Reginald (Reggie) Kenneth Dwight, Elton Hercules John started his first band at 14 (2) and has continued to set a foundation for American pop music for 53 years. Elton’s music is distinctive in its ability to draw attention of listeners with his original combination of sound (2). The songs written both by Elton and lyricist, Bernie Taupin (3) were premeditated to give both a rhythm and undertones of sentimental value. The decline of rock and roll in America allowed for Elton john to succeed.
As a contemporary pop/rock artist, Elton John was the by-product of early artists such as Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Little Richard and Bob Dylan (10). Music within this genre usually exudes a more traditional rock and roll sound but is lyrically developed to be catchy, uplifting and relatable. The “British invasion” refers to the explosion of British cultural influence via pop music --also known as Britpop-- in America in the late 1950s and 60s. The slow declination of rock and roll in America gave Britpop an advantage to success; America was awed by the new British bands delivering a new sound and style, and very quickly integrated it into their culture. (1) Americans jumped on the bandwagon tha...

... middle of paper ...

...22462/>.

Hoffman, Frank. The British Invasion. Ed. Robert Birkline. Survey of American Popular Music. Sam Houston University, n.d. Web. 3 May 2014. .

Petridis, Alexis. "Elton John: 'When I Was on Drugs There Was a Monstrous Side to Me'" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 May 2014.< http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/sep/15/elton-john-drugs-monstrous-side>

"Sir Elton Hercules John." Geni_family_tree. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.

"Sir Elton John Biography." Sir Elton John. The Biography Channel, n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.

"Your Song." By Elton Joh Songfacts. Tone Media, n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. .

Show More
Related

  • Scott Joplin and His Musical Legacy

    4682 Words  | 10 Pages

    "He just got his music out of the air," said one neighbor. One cannot hear the word "ragtime" without thinking of the "King of Ragtime," Scott Joplin. He is clearly one forerunner in the field of American music, particularly at the turn of the twentieth century.

    Read More

  • All Shook Up: How Rock 'n' Roll Changed America

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    Music can be traced back into human history to prehistoric eras. To this day archeologists uncover fragments of ancient instruments as well as tablets with carved lyrics buried alongside prominent leaders and highly influential people. This serves as a testament to the importance and power of music, as well as its influence in society. Over its many years of existence, music’s powerful invocation of feelings has allowed it to evolve and serve many purposes, one being inspiring change. American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel.” This fuel is the very things that powers the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society, that author Glenn C. Altschuler writes about in his book, “All Shook Up – How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America.” Between 1945 and 1965 Rock ‘n’ Roll transformed American society and culture by helping to ease racial integration and launch a sexual revolution while most importantly developing an intergenerational identity.

    Read More

  • Rock and Roll in the Early Fifties

    1698 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Rock- The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Yorke provides a chronological approach to rock and roll from 1877- 1974. Although it is not extremely detailed, a general overview of each year’s music is presented. Throughout the book, many descriptive summaries of individual artists may be found along with classic pictures.

    Read More

  • Who is Better: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Beatles are known, respectively, as the fathers of modern pop music. After their first #1 hit “Please Please Me” was released in 1963 the Beatles were set in motion to become one of the most influential groups of musicians to ever rock our world. With over forty-nine records, 37 #1’s, and thirty- four number one albums (the highest amount of any band in history), there is no denying that they made a monumental ripple in the musical world. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr surprisingly all come from humble beginnings in a town that, until their superstardom, was barely noticed on the map. Liverpool, being kn...

    Read More

  • Rock n Roll & 20th Century Culture

    1464 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ryan, John. “The Seventh Stream: The emergency of rock n roll in American popular      music,” (Book reviews) Social Forces (1994): March, p. 927. Star, Alexander. “Hole in Our Soul: The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular      Music” (book reviews)

    Read More

  • History of Rock and Roll

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    The British Invasion of 1964 brought America's music - reinvented and revitalized - home, a new generation of rock fans was born. Rock now entered what is now known as its Classic Era.

    Read More

  • Rock And Roll Impact On Culture

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although considered the day Rock ‘n’ Roll was born, many other events in American history have given foundation to this much loved idea. Rock ‘n’ Roll is much more than just music, rather it is the movement which underlines cultural imperialism. Rock had been promoting a culture of comfort and freedom from social constraints as well. Although the style of ‘Rock music’ is easily adaptable into many different sounds, it is still thoroughly identified by its definingly amplified rhythm. The sudden worldwide popularity of rock and roll resulted in an unparalleled social impact. Rock ‘n’ Roll influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language in a way few other social developments have equaled. The social impact is so large that rock stars are worshipped worldwide. In its early years, many adults condemned the style of music, placing a stigma on its name, and forbid their children from listening and following its ways. Many considered Rock ‘n’ Roll culture as a bad influence to all people, but as the genre aged and the now not-so-young crowds had matured, Rock was respected and

    Read More

  • Elton John

    797 Words  | 2 Pages

    Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947 in Middlesex, England (Elton John). He began playing piano when he was four years old and his musical talent blossomed throughout his early childhood. He received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music when he was only eleven (All Music). After leaving school to start a professional career in music, he performed in a hotel bar before becoming a member of a band known as The Corvettes. Shortly thereafter, the band was reformed as Bluesology and he played keyboard for the group as they traveled and performed throughout the United Kingdom. He created his stage name by combining the names of the band’s saxophonist, Elton Dean, and their lead singer, Long John Baldry—he legally changed his name in 1967 (Elton John).

    Read More

  • The Life of Lyndon B Johnson

    1354 Words  | 3 Pages

    "President Lyndon B. Johnson's Biography." LBJ Biography. LBJ Library Archieves Staff, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2013.

    Read More

  • Rise Of Rock And Roll

    1520 Words  | 4 Pages

    Rock and Roll is commonly known as the greatest music ever created. Most people do not know that Rock and Roll emerged out of the United States in the 1950s. Artists during this time like Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Bob Dylan were the first major stars among the birth of Rock and Roll in America. Since the 1950s, we have seen a rise in Rock and Roll culture. A peak in the 1960s-1970s was when the world began a musical, political, and social revolution. The revolution takes place during some tense times in the world- The Vietnam War, Political Issues with Cuba, JFK Presidency/Assassination, Malcolm X’s Assassination, Martin Luther King’s Assassination — you name it. The world was in a turmoiled state of mind, but what

    Read More

  • Music During the Vietnam War

    1287 Words  | 3 Pages

    9) Stanley, Adam Paul. Remember A Day:An Analysis of Over Twenty Years of American Rock

    Read More

  • Lincoln Memorial

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    "Abraham Lincoln Biography." The Biography Channel website. 2008. 01 March 2009 ‹http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9382540.›Abraham, Lincoln.” Biography Channel . [2008.] [ 20, Apr.2011 ]

    Read More

  • Rock 'n' Roll

    592 Words  | 2 Pages

    After WWII played out, population shifts occurred in the US. With southern traditions, and music, coming into contact with new urban based music, the audience that followed it, and mixing the sounds of the “boogie woogie” of rhythm and blues, the soulfulness of gospel, and throwing a dash of country twang in there, the recipe for Rock ‘n’ Roll was finished, and a whole new genre created. “The sound of the city”. Although an exciting new period for a lot of 1950s youth, “th...

    Read More

  • Kurt Cobain’s Shocking Suicide

    511 Words  | 2 Pages

    unhappy childhood and how he was a Ritalin child. While others blamed it on his drug

    Read More

  • The British Music Invasion: The Effects on Society and Culture

    1335 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...s, it was a time of great turbulence from start to finish. Protests, assassinations, war, pacifists; they all played a major role in the United States during this time. Something substantial had to happen to help relieve some of the on going woes. It was the British music. Not once, but twice, within a span of ten years were the British the influence that helped get us over those times. It may have been in a more positive way in the first wave, and maybe in a more negative way in the second, introducing an entire drug culture, but either way it made an impact. I have always viewed the 60’s as one of the most intriguing decades to live in, because of its culture shock that occurred during this time. It was the decade of peace, love and drugs; it would have been great to be there to experience these things. Nevertheless, in the research I have done, I have realized the importance of not only the British music on this decade, but all of the feelings behind the music, all of the meanings and emotions and social change which it encouraged. It was the decade with the highest highs and the lowest lows in the last half-century. It was the time when British music saved America from itself.

    Read More

More about Elton John: An Influenced Contemporary Pop/Rock Artist

Open Document