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Life and works of elvis
Elvis presley impact on music history
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Popular Music Assessment A notoriously known singer, Elvis Presley, sang the song Jailhouse Rock in 1957. Elvis was born on January 8th 1935 and died August 16th 1977. Naturally, he was known for his singing, acting and songwriting. Presley was also known as “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” However, he did not compose Jailhouse Rock. The single, Jailhouse Rock was originally released in September of 1957 and reached # 1 on October 21st, 1957. Mike Stoller composed the song and was writing partners with Jerry Leiber. Stoller was born in Belle Harbor, Long Island. He was dedicated to writing songs mainly for genres, such as R&B and the Blues. Clearly, the music speaks of dancing and jamming to music in jail. Around this time, the song Jailhouse Rock was created to be used in an Elvis Presley movie. Elvis was to play a prisoner who becomes a star after he gets out of prison. Solely, the song was meant to better illustrate a movie Elvis was in at the time and the song also inspired the name for the film. As this song was released, America was going through the Civil war. During this month, the news reported federal troops escorting nine Black students into an all-white school. …show more content…
Several even try to connect their music to the feelings of their audience. Some of the songs including, Jailhouse Rock, Good Vibrations, Purple Haze and Stayin’ Alive try to use women as the meaning of their songs. In addition, they are used to clarify the point in films of their time and influence an environmental change. Slowly, building into innovative ways to portray music that fits the era they were in. Each song was able to readjust the perception of war and help those forget the scary outcomes war was bringing. Therefore, music adapted by connecting the people as one to their era and providing them a tune that minimized their
Presley grew up in an era where racism was strong; his music brought all races together. His music had Caucasians singing black R&B despite the racism. Teenage girls all over the world would go hysterical over Elvis and his crude moves. Elvis received one of his nicknames “Elvis the Pelvis” with his sexual moves that could not be recorded on television. 1955 and 1956 was when Presley exploded in his musical careers with his single “Heartbreak Hotel” which sold over one million copies. As I listened to this single that sold so many copies I can hear the different genres and the way his voice was so different compared to other artist in this era. The main instrument being played in this single is a guitar. There is actually a hotel named after Elvis’s first hit single. It is located in Memphis, Tennessee. Unfortunately, the hit song was inspired behind a suicide note that one of Pre...
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.
There are many Elvis Tribute Artists throughout the United States. A tribute artist is one of a group of unique people who have dedicated their lives to keeping Elvis’ memory alive. How it all got started, a boy went into Sun Records at the age of 19, to record a special song for his mother’s birthday present; the song was titled My Happiness. One year would pass by, before the owner of the studio would call him back. In 1954, music producer, Sam Phillips discovered the very young and energetic boy that we know as Elvis. Sam Phillips was looking for a sound that was very different and unique. Elvis, Scotty Moore, and Dj Fontana had been working hard all day, and close to the end of the afternoon when they were about ready to give up, while taking a break, Elvis picked up the guitar and started to play around. Sam stuck his head out of the control booth, and asks, “What are you doing and can you do it again?” Elvis answered, “I don’t know and yes”. The rockabilly sound was born. A deejay by the name of, Dewey Phillips at WHBQ Radio in Memphis, Tennessee interviewed Elvis and played his first record “That’s all right mamma. The world was introduced to Elvis Presley and the rockabilly sound. Elvis was the greatest music entertainer of his time, until his death on August 16, 1977, at the age of forty-two years. His sudden death left this world very tearful, he was known as the King-of -Rocking- N-Roll throughout his life and still today, thirty-two years after he died.
During the 1960s and the early 1970s, music reflected the political and social changes that America was undergoing at the time. Some of these major changes included the African-American civil rights movement and the conflict over America’s role in the Vietnam War. During these hard times, people turned to music for hope, peace, happiness and answers.
It is important to know a little of Etheridge Knight’s background to fully understand his poem “Hard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminal Insane”. Knight began exploring the world of poetry when he was young in the form of humorous, verbal poems used for entertaining. An African American born in 1931, Knight undoubtedly faced racism and prejudice throughout his life, leading him to explore those concepts within his poetry. Knight became a well-known figure within the Black Arts movement, partly due to encouragement from his wife at the time; Sonia Sanchez, who was also a poet involved in the movement. As stated before, Knight also spent several years in prison, giving him knowledge of the feelings and slang within jail, both of which he later interjected into his writing. Knowing his background helps the reader further understand the feelings...
To the persistent individual, though, there is a body of music in existence that merits regard. It is powerful music written by the youth of America, youngsters who did have a stake in the Vietnam War. There can be little question about the origins of the power which American protest music conveyed: those who wrote such music lived each day with the real knowledge that they were losing friends in, and could possibly be forced themselves to go to, Vietnam. One such group, Creedence Clearwater Revival, made its contribution to this genre near the end of the Vietnam War.
Through Elvis Presley, rock ‘n’ roll changed the face of American music, and influenced a whole generation’s political philosophy. Composer Leonard Berstein once said, “He introduced the beat to everything and changed everything-music, language, clothes; it’s a whole new social revolution-the 60s come from it” (Wattenberg 6B). To his credit, Elvis embraced rhythm and blues not as a from to be imitated, but as a form to honored and interprete... ...
Imagine, it’s the seventeenth of August, the year is 1977. You are drinking your morning coffee and listening to the radio, which happens to be a song by the King of Rock and Roll. As you reach for the daily newspaper and read the top headline. You mutter the words, “Elvis Presley dies and the age of Rock is over.” This cannot be real, Elvis Presley cannot be dead. Nobody wanted to believe that the death of Elvis was real, which concluded in the conspiracy theory of Elvis faking his death. Elvis was not dead, in fact, he was very much alive.
The use of music to convey social commentary was certainly not unique to the Vietnam War. However, what made the music so significant was its versatility. It quickly captured and reflected public opinion as it developed, and offered expression regardless of race, gender, status or political orientation. As a result, there was no one song that captured the essence of the Vietnam War.
Elvis Aaron Presley, “the King of Rock and Roll”, passed away suddenly at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. The famed singer and actor, who graced the world with his melodious voice by singing his well-known hits such as “Hound Dog”, “Jailhouse Rock”, and “Burning Love”, was age 42.
Songs like “We Shall not be moved” represented the determination of those in the civil rights movement in the face of government and social oppression. This lines say,” Like a tree that stands by water, we shall not be moved”. Music had an enormous impact in the war because It promoted the first amendment that is the freedom of speech, it helped the American society to develop by exerting deep lasting influences on the form of popular music paving its way towards musical expressions in times of
In the 1950’s, segregation was a popular lifestyle within the United States. Segregation was the separation between the blacks and whites. Most black people were discriminated against just by the color of their skin, but with the help of Elvis Presley’s music he helped break those barriers between the white and black communities. Presley exposed the new generation of white Americans to the culture of African Americans. Demonstrating in which the ways they were treated and especially the difference in the style of music they listen to. African American music was how they communicated which each other because only the blacks could understand the meaning behind each melody sung. With this, Elvis Presley made an entirely new generation with his music and pelvic thrusting dance moves. Presley was considered one of the most significant figures of Rock and roll changing the entertainment industry completely, making Elvis Presley the American Dream.
Throughout time, music has been an influential part of society. As a form of entertainment and expression, its impact has always been felt both economically and emotionally. During the Vietnam war, music evolved into more a form of expression rather than pure entertainment. Emotionally charged songs became a method to oppose the war, and vent frustrations. While many songs opposed the war, numerous others focused on peace and happiness. They provided a positive perspective in an otherwise depressing time. Along with incorporating passion into music, cultural diversity increased in music greatly. Black artists became progressively more popular and accepted in the musical scene. This respect carried over to society slowly but surely. During the Vietnam war, music played a crucial role in the societal evolution into a state where emotions fueled actions, more emphasis was put on equality, all opinions counted.
He also had a long term impact in that it wasn’t just the music. You
Music is an outlet to all aspects of life and culture is a significant way of forming people and the way they live. Although not always seen directly culture has an overbearing influence on the music that is produced and made popular. The political Climate of the early seventies was full of fire with issues such as Vietnam and constant protest throughout the county. Later in the 70’s the end of the Vietnamese conflict brought the rise of the Watergate scandal and Iran Contra. These issues swept headlines and ingrained people’s thoughts. Social issues also played a big role in the developing culture of the seventies. Protests and constant outbreaks about gay rights and women’s rights seemed to overtake the country in storm. Later in the Decade the social climate changed to a celebration of the Past and a can-do attitude. Political and Social climates had an overbearing influence on the attitude that was being developed throughout the seventies. This climate was also transparent in the music world of this decade. In the early 70’s music lyrics were being created that were representative of the popular method of protest and social change. Music is a common way of expression and during this time artist and groups took the most of their popular music by expressing viewpoints on present issues. In the mid to late seventies the birth of new styles that broke from the old seemed to dominate the music industry. These new types of music ranged from disco to television pop. The music of the decade represented the culture and was greatly influenced by events and beliefs of the 70’s. At this time in American history, music and life became closely nit. In the late 1970’s, national issues settl...