Elvis is the king! I think that Elvis is the king of rock ‘n roll because he made rock ‘n roll music the way it is.
He created a new sound that used influences from rhythm and blues and bluegrass, as well as influences from Black Culture. People are still using this sound today. That’s what I call a King.
But sound isn’t the only way he changed music. The way he moved was a thing that people had not seen before! His movement was electrifying. This movement started with his legs, and when the music slowed down or picked up he really moved with the beat of the music. He started a move called “the windmill” in the 50’s, at the beginning of his career. In this move his arms went all the way around in time to the music. He had karate training, and this background really helped him make his movements on the stage really unique. Some older people did not like the way he was moving and the way he was singing. They thought it was too bold, and that he was being a bad influence on young people. Some people even thought he was into devil worship. He wasn’t! He was just really good at singing and dancing.
His career went through ups and downs. He was really popular in the 50s and by the late 60’s he had a comeback. In his 1968 Comeback special, he was wearing a leather suit with a cherry guitar while he sang all of his biggest hits. This was something that the musicians from the 60’s had not done.
Elvis was a big superstar! And he made so many people happy. I love listening to Elvis, and I even have a guitar that I play while I am listening to him. My favorite song is “Blue Suede Shoes” because the rhythm and the lyrics are awesome, and they work together really well. This song is about a guy who has great shoes that he doesn’t want anyone to take. There are other great songs too. After a poll in my journalism class, there was 3 way tie for his top songs: “Jailhouse Rock,” “Burning Love” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.” Other songs that people in my class picked were “Trouble” and “Suspicious Minds.”
Don’t recognize these songs? Here’s a playlist so you can find your new favorite artist.
