Next to legends like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley belongs to the first generation of Rock’n Rollers in the 1950s. They set the standards for Rock’n Roll music in the next decades. Presley entered the stage in 1956 and he was described as “a presence who, because of his simultaneous mastery of recordings, movies, and TV, was destined to have more influence than any Broadway show could ever imagine”.
Elvis Presley can be described as the first hero of Rock’n Roll because he had an unprecedented ability and presence to perform his songs thrillingly. He created a completely genuine dancing style and his career was without comparison from the first day onwards. Presley scored Nr. 1 in the charts with his song “Heartbreak Hotel” in 1956. Hence, he also set new standards and led on the revolution of the young against the old, thereby challenging traditions.
In the following, we will deal with the topic of Elvis Presley and his physicalness which was regarded as an affront in 1950s America. Presley can be regarded as the King of Rock’n Roll because he revolutionized (white) music by connecting it with physical and sexual expression.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Elvis Presley: The King of Rock'n Roll
- His Youth and Early Recordings
- First Provocative Performances
- Successes and Affront in the 1950s
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to explore the significance of Elvis Presley's physicality as a source of controversy in 1950s America. It examines how his performance style and image challenged societal norms and conventions.
- Elvis Presley's role in the development of Rock and Roll
- The provocative nature of Presley's performances and their impact on audiences
- The societal reaction to Presley's music and image, particularly from the middle class
- Presley's musical influences and his blending of various genres
- The connection between Presley's physicality and his sexual expression
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by situating Elvis Presley within the context of the first generation of Rock and Roll artists in the 1950s. It establishes Presley's significant influence across various media platforms and introduces the central theme of the text: the controversy surrounding Presley's physicality in 1950s America.
Elvis Presley: The King of Rock'n Roll: This chapter delves into Presley's early life, highlighting his upbringing in a lower-middle-class family and his exposure to diverse musical genres, including blues, bluegrass, gospel, and country. It discusses his early recordings and his rapid rise to fame, emphasizing the provocative nature of his performances. The chapter details how his unique blend of musical influences, coupled with his energetic and overtly physical stage presence, set him apart and contributed to his immense popularity, even as it simultaneously ignited controversy.
Successes and Affront in the 1950s: This chapter explores the successes of Elvis Presley in the 1950s while highlighting the considerable backlash he faced. His provocative style, particularly his hip movements, was seen as a direct affront to the moral standards of the time. The chapter contrasts his immense popularity among youth with the criticism levied against him by older generations and moral guardians. It analyzes how the media both propelled and controlled his image, showcasing the complexities of his role as a cultural icon in a changing society. The chapter examines how his rebellious and sensual performances were both a symptom and a catalyst of the changing social dynamics of the era.
Keywords
Elvis Presley, Rock and Roll, 1950s America, physicality, sexual expression, social controversy, youth culture, musical influences, media representation, cultural icon.
Frequently Asked Questions: Elvis Presley: Controversy and Physicality in 1950s America
What is the main topic of this text?
The text focuses on the controversy surrounding Elvis Presley's physicality and performance style in 1950s America. It examines how his image and actions challenged societal norms and conventions, contributing to his immense popularity and simultaneous backlash.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include Elvis Presley's role in the development of rock and roll, the provocative nature of his performances and their impact, societal reactions (particularly from the middle class), his musical influences and genre blending, and the connection between his physicality and sexual expression.
What does the text cover in its chapters?
The text includes an introduction which sets the scene, placing Elvis within the context of early rock and roll. A chapter on Elvis's early life and career traces his rise to fame, highlighting the provocative aspects of his performances. A final chapter examines both his successes and the significant criticism and backlash he faced due to his style and image, contrasting his youth following with the disapproval of older generations.
What is the significance of Elvis Presley's physicality according to the text?
The text argues that Elvis Presley's physicality was a central source of controversy in 1950s America. His energetic and overtly physical stage presence, including his hip movements, challenged the moral standards of the time and became a key element of his rebellious image and appeal.
How does the text analyze the societal reaction to Elvis Presley?
The text analyzes the contrasting reactions to Elvis, showcasing the immense popularity he enjoyed among young people, juxtaposed with the criticism and disapproval from older generations and moral guardians. It also explores how media both shaped and reacted to his image, reflecting the complexities of his position as a cultural icon in a rapidly changing society.
What are some of the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include Elvis Presley, Rock and Roll, 1950s America, physicality, sexual expression, social controversy, youth culture, musical influences, media representation, and cultural icon.
What is the purpose or objective of this text?
The text aims to explore the significance of Elvis Presley's physicality as a source of controversy in 1950s America and to analyze how his performance style and image challenged societal norms and conventions.
What kind of audience is this text intended for?
While not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the preview suggests the text is aimed at an academic audience, perhaps students or researchers interested in American social history, music history, or cultural studies.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Sirinya Pakditawan (Author), 2011, Elvis Presley and Physicalness. An Affront in 1950s America, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/284065
