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Nicole Lenart
Mrs.Intawiwat
Eng 112
January 26, 2016
Rough Draft

Elvis Presley
Overtime music has changed in many ways. From the artists, to
the genre of music it is constantly evolving. Many trends have come
and gone, but one trend that is still with us today is the good old rock
and roll. We all know whom to thank for that, Elvis Presley. He did
many things to earn his legendary title in rock and roll. Elvis combined
many different styles of music, touched the heart of his fans, and made
himself an influence in our culture today.
Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. Growing
up with parents that loved and encouraged him helped lead him to
become whom we know him as today. At only eleven years old Elvis
was starting to become very involved in music. He received his first
guitar as a birthday gift and put it to good use at his high school talent
show that he won. After high school his mind was made up of what he
wanted to do with his life, which was music of course. Shortly after
graduation Elvis recorded his first demo at Sun Studio. The owner of
Sun Studio saw talent in Elvis and decided to take him on tour. Elviss

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first big hit Thats All Right was written on tour in 1954. This was the
one song that started it all.
According to axs.com, the most influential hits Elvis wrote were
Viva Las Vegas, Its Now or Never, Cant Help Falling In Love With
You, In the Ghetto, and If I Can Dream. (Dennis.) Each of these
songs are influential in their own ways. Viva Las Vegas was influential
because no song came close to this at the time. Whenever this song
played it was known as fun, entertaining and exciting. It also refers to
gambling in Vegas. Its now or never showed a different side of Elvis.
This song was written after Elvis was stationed in Germany. While
stationed he had the opportunity to hear many different types of music
which inspired him. On March 23, 1961, Cant Help Falling In Love
With You was recorded in Hollywood. This song became the most
popular in twelve countries, and sold millions of copies. In the ghetto
was Elviss first non-gospel song. It was very deep and powerful. It was
so good it bumped the Beatles recent hit, Get back down a couple of
spots. His fans were moved and also shocked at the same time. The
number one most influential song Elvis wrote was, If I can dream.
Elvis was influenced by Martin Luther King Jr. speech, if I had a dream.
He recorded the song shortly after Bobby Kennedy was killed. This
song is still popular today and has great meaning behind it.
Many factors brought on the musical genre rock and roll. The
combination of rhythm from blues and a new beat is what formed this

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genre. The back beat is what was key in the rock and roll era. New
instruments were introduced such as the one or two electric guitars;
drum sets and a bass guitar. Vocals also changed to make the rock
and roll era like we know it today. The vocalists had an attitude in their
voice. Examples of famous vocalist in the rock and roll era are Ozzy
Osborne, Steven Tyler, Etc. Many of the vocalists claimed more fame
then any other members in the band.
Like rock and roll there is also another category that falls under
rock, known as classic rock. Similar to rock and roll classic rock is still
known today. The era of Classic rock began in the 1960s and sadly
ended around the 1980s. This era included rock and roll based band
such as The Beetles. Besides classic rock and roll there are many other
types of rick that are known today. Rock Genres include: Adult
alternative rock, American trade rock, Arena rock, Blues rock, British
invasion, Death metal/Black metal, Glam rock, Hair metal, Hard rock,
Metal, Jam bands, Psychedelic, rockability, roots rock, southern rock,
surf, and Tex-Mex. (Musicgenre.com).
Through rock and roll Elvis affected the people and the culture.
He was known as one of a kind. He had a strong connection with his
fans, and influenced them in many different ways. His style, dancing,
image and beliefs made his fans all want to be just like him. Not only
was Elvis an artist, but also an actor. His fans loved to watch him on
stage and on television. Elvis was on many shows such as, The Milton

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Berle Show, The Ed Sullivan show, The Steve Allen show and many
more.
Elvis was kind at heart, which also attracted his fans. He was one
of the first singers to reach out to not only white but also black
communities. He treated all races equal and was relatable to all.
Watching Elvis be equal and caring to other races, his fans started to
act the same way.
Overall Elvis was the legend of rock and roll. He accomplished a
lot of great things over the course of his lifetime, and will forever be
known as the king of rock. He was one of a kind and had connections
to his fans like no other artists. Even though he is not with us today, he
will forever live on in his music that we still listen to today.

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Citations:
Biograpghy.com. "Elvis Presely." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2014. Web.
01 Feb. 2016.

Dennis, Jack. "The Top Five Most Influential Elvis Presley Songs of the
1960s." AXS. AXS Contributor, 15 Aug. 2015. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.

"Elvis Presley's Musical Influence on America." - For Dummies. For DUMMIES, n.d.
Web. 01 Feb. 2016.