1954 has been, quite arbitrarily, chosen as the year Rock ‘n’ Roll found it’s most important voice. Therefore, taking a pragmatic view, 2004 is the 50th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll! And the singer chosen to epitomise the event is the one and only, Elvis Presley 1935-1977. Arguably the most versatile vocalist ever to enter a recording studio. His amazing versions of “That’s All right Mama”, and, “Blue Moon of Kentucky” on the Sun label, is the seminal single, which launched a career so meteoric we are still to this day feeling and hearing it’s repercussions. The later RCA singles , “Heartbreak Hotel”/ “I Was The One”, “Hound Dog”/ “Don’t Be Cruel”, and “Love Me Tender” etc., copper fastened Elvis’s unparalleled hold on the music charts. Writing these words after being told back in 1957, “Elvis would be just a flash in the pan”, One can’t help but smile.
How fast people jumped to false conclusions in spite of the great mass of evidence to the contrary. Even the likes of , “The New York Times”, failed to rise above the absolute nonsense printed about the young singer by a great many publications. Back in 1957 Elvis Presley was just about everywhere. His recordings selling by the million, his early movies creating long queues outside cinemas around the world, and his television appearances leading to huge audiences being totally captivated by his extraordinary talent to communicate. No matter his exhilarating antics on stage, Elvis just charmed the hearts of hundreds of millions – especially the young. Later, with the release of the wonderful songs, “It’s Now or Never”, and “Are You Lonesome Tonight”, the older generations would succumb en masse. This boy could really sing! Unfortunately for Elvis the press had given him the title, “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, and it stuck! Nevertheless Elvis’s ballads continue to surprise and enchant newcomers.
The Term Paper on Afro American Rock Roll Music
... notion of the creation of teen rebels through rock 'n' roll. Instead, rock 'n' roll was a marketing construct designed to provide affluent ... of the racial element of rock 'n' roll. 1. Recordings - The themes of popular rock 'n' roll songs reflect prevailing attitudes of ... blues superstar was needed, but he could not be black; Elvis Presley fit the bill perfectly.By 1957, there was open ...
A large repertoire of his beautifully performed love songs await the uninitiated. Well the King may be dead but the music he made, and his generous nature, continues to excite and grip the hearts of listeners world-wide. Ballads, Country, Gospel, Rhythm and Blues, you name it, Elvis sang it. His newly released recordings have proved beyond a doubt Elvis Presley’s voice has the power to win over new generations of discerning listeners. Hopefully, the 50 Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll, to be celebrated in Memphis Tennessee, will include all the pioneers, black and white, who strove to free popular music from the constraints of the so-called elite. The likes of Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bill Haley, and Buddy Holly, come to mind along with all the other, no less important, names – far to many to include here..
