The Impact of Elvis Presley on the American Society

The Rock ‘n’ Roll music is a genre of popular music that began in the United States in the 1940s and the 1950s. The genre incorporated other music types such as jazz blues, jazz, boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues, country music and gospel and grew beyond the nation’s boundaries. Elvis Aaron Presley, born in 1935, was polarized as the King of Rock and Roll. He is one of the most significant musicians in the 20th century. Presley began his music career in 1954, and he grew to be one of the few musicians that would easily integrate rockabilly, a back-beat driven fusion of rhythm and blues as well as country music, and an up-tempo. He died of a heart attack in 1977. I find analyzing rock and roll music, and its popular artist interesting primarily due to the significant influences that the music had in transforming the individuals, the music industry as well as societies, especially in America.

Rock ‘n’ Roll is one of the music genres that had a major impact on the lives of its audiences. Its significance and high popularity in the 20th century calls for the need of an assessment of the manner in which the music genre affected racial relations, social justice as well as the perception of the American society in general. Researchers have put their efforts into finding information that relates to the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll on the society. Some of the peer-reviewed materials that focus on the topic include:

Fraser, Benson P., and William J. Brown. “Media, celebrities, and social influence: Identification with Elvis Presley.” Mass Communication & Society 5.2 (2002): 183-206.

Kotarba, Joseph A. “Rock’n’Roll Experiences in Middle Age.” American Behavioral Scientist 48.11 (2005): 1524-1537.

Vaillancourt, Eric. “Rock’n’Roll in the 1950s: Rockin’for Civil Rights.” (2011).

An assessment of the peer-reviewed material explains the significance of Rock ‘n’ Roll on the society. Due to Presley’s significance in the development of the music genre, much of the transformations that were caused by the introduction of the music in communities could be attributed to him. Authors address Presley as an influential character that utilized his short lifetime to create songs that brought about changes in the manner in which the African Americans were perceived in the American society. White parents in the 1960s complained that their teenagers were losing their culture through their association with Rock ‘n’ Roll. The music was able to bond the black performers with the white youth audience as well as the white performers that loved to perform African-American music. Hence, research on the manner in which Elvis Presley’s music impacted America at a time when racial tensions were high is necessary. Further, it is important that the impact of the King of Rock and Roll on the personal lifestyles of his fans is analyzed. His music, just like any other music genres must have had a significant influence in the manner in which people dress and behave. Such a possibility is highly possible especially since the bond between humans and music is usually so strong that it can break social, cultural, political and racial barriers. Further, the impact of Presley’s music on relationships between people, and especially lovers is insurmountable. The music contained sexual messages that were highly likely to trigger the development of strong intimate feelings for one another. Rock and Roll music brought heightened levels of entertainment for its lovers.

Other sources that might be helpful in the completion of the assignment could include;

Bertrand, Michael T. Race, rock, and Elvis. University of Illinois Press, 2000.

Elvis Website: https://www.shopelvis.com/store/

Works Cited

Bertrand, Michael T. Race, rock, and Elvis. University of Illinois Press, 2000.

Elvis Website: https://www.shopelvis.com/store/

Fraser, Benson P., and William J. Brown. “Media, celebrities, and social influence: Identification with Elvis Presley.” Mass Communication & Society 5.2 (2002): 183-206.

Kotarba, Joseph A. “Rock’n’Roll Experiences in Middle Age.” American Behavioral Scientist 48.11 (2005): 1524-1537.

Vaillancourt, Eric. “Rock’n’Roll in the 1950s: Rockin’for Civil Rights.” (2011).