Elvis+Aaron+Presley

**Introduction**  "Rock and roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can't help but move to it. That's what happens to me. I can't help it."- Elvis Presley (Brainy Quotes). This quote depicts Elvis very well. Elvis' passion for music began when he was a just a young boy. Music gave young Elvis a way to express himself (Bruning). Elvis' humble background did not discourage him from pursuing his dream of becoming a rock and roll rebel. He showed teens that anything is possible with determination and will. Elvis made a huge impact in American culture (Bergmooser)  **Personal Background ** Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935. His mother, Gladys Presley gave birth to him and his stillborn brother, Jessie Garon in one of the rooms of their two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi (Plantz 9). Elvis was born during the Great Depression and lived in a poor neighborhood because it was difficult for his father to get a well-paid job (Plantz 10). One of Elvis’s favorite things was getting together with his neighbors and singing joyful hymns. He and his friends would visit a local radio station where they would listen to his friend’s brother sing and play his guitar. They would go to the recordings of a show where anyone could go up to the microphone and sing. Elvis built up the courage to sing a ballad called “Old Shep.” Elvis began to participate in singing activities where his fifth grade teacher noticed what a sweet voice he had. She sent him to the principal who was vey impressed with Elvis’s voice. The principal chose Elvis to represent the school in the Mississippi-Alabama State Fair. Elvis ended up placing fifth place in the show (Plantz 13). On Elvis’s eleventh birthday, his mother gave him his first real guitar. Due to economical issues the Presley’s had to move from East Tupelo to Tupelo, which meant that Elvis would have to change schools. His new school, Milam was a segregated school (Plantz 14). In hope to find a good job, Vernon decided to move his family yet again. This time they moved to Memphis Tennessee (Plantz 15). Elvis did not like his new school, Humes High. He thought that the people there did not appreciate his talent (Plantz 16). After Elvis graduated from high school, he was able to get a decent job where he earned $33 weekly (Plantz 25). However Elvis’s dream was to make music as a living (Plantz 26). He began to pay Keisker, from Sun Records, $4 to make a record. When Elvis was in the recording center, the owner of Sun Records, Sam Phillips, was able listen to Elvis sing. Phillips did not think that Elvis’s voice was unique, but it was clear and practiced. He said he might call Elvis back (Plantz 28). Six months after, Phillips needed to new singer and Keisker suggested Elvis. Elvis was thrilled when he received the call from Kaisker and was at the studio immediately. Phillips recognized that Elvis’s singing had potential so he had professional musician, Scotty Moore, and bass player, Bill Black be part of a trio with Elvis. On July 5, 1954, the trio went to Sun Records and performed “That’s All Right (Mama)” for Phillips. Philips was amazed with Elvis’s singing and said he had never heard music like that before. He persuaded his friend to play Elvis’s song on the radio. The day the song was going to be played Elvis went to the movies and had his parents listen to the radio at home because he was too nervous (Plantz 31). Elvis’s song was a hit on the radio. After that day Elvis, Bill Black, and Scotty Moore, began creating new records and came up with a new sound called rockabilly (Plantz 34). The trio decided to call themselves, Hillbilly Cat and the Blue Moon Boys (Plantz 35). They had a few public performances. Some were successful and others weren’t. On August 26, 1954, Elvis signed a contract with Sun Records, agreeing to record at least four records (Plantz 38). After making new music that was perfectly suited for Elvis’s style, the trio began to tour the South. They noticed that their music was a huge hit among teens (Plantz 40). Elvis began to feel comfortable with his popularity. Colonel Parker took over Elvis’s career when Elvis hired him as his “special adviser.”

On November 21, 1955, Philips sold Elvis’s contract to RCA Victor who paid $35,000. More than any record company had ever paid (Plantz 46). Elvis’s fame grew veryquickly and so did his fans. He began having bigger public performances. When his mother asked Elvis to buy a huge colonial mansion, Elvis did not hesitate in saying no. Elvis purchased a mansion in the outskirts of Memphis for $102,000 (Plantz 64). Elvis also began to make movies where some of his songs would be featured in. On May 1, 1967, Elvis married his former girlfriend, Priscilla Beaulieu. Nine months later, Lisa Marie Presley was born. (Plantz 89). During the end of February 1968, the Presleys moved to Los Angeles. During his career, Elvis was able to accomplish many things. He received more than 100 gold or platinum releases, made 31 movies, met with president Nixon, and transformed the American culture. Elvis Aaron Presley died on August 16, 1977 due to drug abuse (Bergmooser).
 * Personality Traits **

Not only was Elvis Presley extremely talented, but he was also very charismatic and simple (Bergmooser). When Elvis was a young boy, he was very uncertain of how to express himself. As he grew older, he began to gain more confidence. Physically, Elvis had stage presence and charm. Elvis was handsome and he had a particular personality (Bruning). According to his fans, Elvis was perfect. However, because he introduced a new type of music and style, man characterized him as “weird.” Some said he was vulgar and even called him an animal because of the way he presented himself. Elvis was unique. (McKeen). Presley was passionate and energetic on and off stage (Bruning). Elvis’ weirdness and different style is what welcomed many teens to come together and listen to his music no matter their class or race. This is what makes Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. Elvis also liked to stand up for what he believed in. Some may call his moral courage other may say that he was a rebellious man and a bad influence (Jeansonne). All in all, Elvis Presley mad a huge impact in American culture and his legacy will live on. Like most, Elvis Presley had to overcome many personal obstacles. Born during the Great Depression, Elvis and his family did not have much (Plantz 10). When Elvis was two years old, his father was se nt to prison for altering a check. Elvis constantly cried for his father (Plantz 11). When Elvis entered high school, he began to express himself more freely.His classmates would make fun of him because of the way he dressed and his weird taste in music (Plantz 16). During the height of his fame, Elvis was drafted into the U.S Army where he served for three years. Elvis was afraid that his fame would not survive while he was away (Plantz 66).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Obstacles **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Elvis dearest mother died on August 14, 1958. He never got over losing his mother. In the year 1973, Elvis and his wife, Priscilla divorced due to marriage problems. To make things worse, Priscilla received full custody of their daughter, Lisa Marie. Elvis loved his daughter very much and he had to cope with the fact that he wouldn’t be able to spend much time with her (Bruning). As Elvis aged, his health issues increased. He began to have problems with his eyesight, he had pain in his bones, and he started to gain a lot of weight. Elvis began to develop a dependency on prescribed drugs (McKeen). Although Elvis had to overcome these obstacles, he always gave his fans his best.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Historical Significance **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Elvis Presley transformed the American culture and became an extremely important figure in rock and roll history (Bruning). Elvis showed that you didn’t have to be raised in a rich family to be successful in the future. Elvis represented the dream of a generation because many teens identified themselves with him. Elvis went from poverty to fame and showed others that they too could live out their dreams. Elvis changed a whole generation (Bergmooser). Elvis helped many teens express themselves more freely with his interesting style in fashion and dancing. Presley wanted to be and look different from the ones around him. His rebelliousness still prevails today (Jeansonne). Fans began to dress and move their hips like him because he was different from anything they had ever seen before. Teen girls wanted Elvis and teen boys wanted to be like Elvis. Most importantly, Elvis revolutionized the musical culture (Bergmooser).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Elvis created a new and unique style of music that emerged in the 1950s. Elvis was a white Southerner who sang country music mixed with gospel and blues, this was then known as rockabilly. He introduced African American music to white Americans and brought together many teens with his musical style (Bergmooser). Presley is often credited for introducing a mass audience to the music of black performers (Bruning). Elvis’ music gave his listeners a sense of love and peace. He created his own personal culture that transformed America when he made it public. Elvis was often referred to as the rockabilly hero (Bruning). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Elvis Presley made a huge impact in American culture. He inspired many teens that shared the same aspirations as him. He gave them hope that even if they came from a humble background, they could still become someone in the future. Elvis’ rebelliousness changed a whole generation. His musical style attracted all sorts of people, whether they were black or white. He created his own musical style that became popular in the 1950s. Elvis Presley did so much for so many (Bergmooser).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">References **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Bergmooser, Mark. "Stuck on Elvis." //World & I//. Aug. 1997: 190-197. //SIRS Renaissance//. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.**SE#6**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Bruning, Fred. "Elvis: A New Kind of Star." //Newsday// (New Island, NY) Aug. 10 1997: Mag. Sec. C2+. //SIRS Renaissance//. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.**SE#4**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Jeansonne, Glen., Luhrssen, David..."ELVIS ROCK'N'ROLL'S RELUCTANT REBEL." //History Today//. 01 Aug. 2007: 30. //eLibrary//. Web. 20 Nov. 2014.**SE# 5**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Mason, Bobbie Ann. //Elvis Presley//. New York: Viking, 2003. Print.**SE#1**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">McKeen, William. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Elvis." //American History// (Vol. 42. No. 3). Aug. 2007: 20-31. //SIRS Renaissance//. Web. 03 Oct. 2014.**SE#2**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Plantz, Connie. //Elvis Presley: Music Legend, Movie Star, the King//. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2004. Print.**SE#**