Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley started off as a poor boy born in Tupelo, Mississippi. He graduated from high school and took a job as a truck driver in Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded his first commercial record in 1954. Two years later, Elvis obtained a recording contract with RCA under his manager Colonel Tom Parker. His career took off in 1956 with the release of “Love Me Tender.” This began a string of million-copy singles including “heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” and “Hound Dog.” His hits continued for a decade. He was referred to as “The King” and known as the first American rock ‘n’ roll star. Although his music was popular, he would not have been able to achieve his stardom without selling his image on television. Despite his popularity, journalists, churchmen, and parents despised Elvis Presley. One newspaper critiqued him from acting “like a sex maniac in public before millions of impressionable kids.” There is no doubt he did have an impression on the younger generations, new hair styles were set for boys across the country and guitar sales nearly doubled from 1950 to 1960.

Elvis Presley was responsible for popularizing rock 'n' roll. He created carefree and feel-good music that lifted the spirits of listeners. Unlike news broadcasts that focused on nuclear weapons and atomic bombs, Elvis Presley came over the radio and onto the television with upbeat songs. Also, Elvis Presley is one of the first stars made famous by the newly invented television. When he was interviewed on television, he began to represent a new American dream, one through the music industry. He started off as a poor boy and became rich quickly, this recharged the American dream and became a new inspiration.