The King of Rock and Roll: Elvis PresleyBy: Marquis Horne

Early Life

Born January 8th, 1935 in Tulepo, Mississippi

Influenced to get into music by attending church services and listening to country music with his family.

Early Life, Continued

For his 11th birthday, Elvis receives his first guitar.

Moves from Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee.

While in Memphis, Elvis spends significant time on Beale Street where the blues and gospel singers influence him.

Early Career

After graduating high school, Elvis auditions with Sun Records.

They are impressed and pair him with Scotty Moore and Bill Black

In 1954, they do a cover of Arthur Crudup’s “That’s Alright, Mama”

Early Career, Continued

“That’s Alright Mama” climbs the Billboard Charts

Elvis is introduced to Colonel Tom Parker while working for the radio show “Louisiana Hayride.”

Parker helps Elvis sign on with RCA Records which would launch his career into mainstream popular culture.

The Road to Becoming “The King”

1956, “Heartbreak Hotel” is released. This would become his first major hit.

Elvis Mania sweeps across the nation as he appears on several different variety shows.

In 1956, Elvis merchandise grossed $22 million

The Army

At the end of 1957, Elvis receives a draft letter.

He would serve in the United States Army in a variety of cities, including Germany, from 1958-1960.

Upon his return from service, his career would take off.

Elvis in Film

Upon returning from the war, Elvis focused on his film career while also making soundtracks for the films.

“G.I. Blues” was released in 1960 and his soundtrack for it rose to number one.

Elvis in Film, Continued

Other feature films starring Elvis include “Blue Hawaii,” “Viva Las Vegas,” and “Girls! Girls! Girls!”

Over the course of his lifetime, Elvis would star in 31 feature films

A Return to the Stage

1968: Elvis returns to the stage to perform a concert live on NBC entitled “Elvis.”

This concert regenerates his passion for studio recording and touring.

The Early 1970s

In the early 1970s, Elvis records several hits that rise up the Billboard Charts

In 1972, over 1.5 billion worldwide tune in to another television special “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii-Via Satellite.”

The Mid 1970s

Elvis continues to tour throughout the United States and the World with crowds packing stadiums/arenas to view his iconic music

August 16th, 1977

Preparing to return to the stage following a short break, Elvis dies of an apparent heart attack while sleeping at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.

The heart attack is believed to have been caused by an addiction to pain killers.

The world mourns his loss.

Accolades

149 Songs made the Billboard 100, with 18 going to #1

Album sales are over 2 billion

150 albums have received platinum, gold, or multi-platinum status

Starred in 31 feature film.

Inaugural member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominated for 18 Grammy’s and won 3

Country Music Hall of Fame

“That’s Alright Mama”

Released in 1954Cover of song by Arthur

CrudupRecorded at Sun RecordsAccompanied by Scotty

Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass

Considered by many to be the first rock and roll album

Listening Guide

Introduction 00:00Verse 1 00:07

Verse 2 00:29Guitar Solo 00:48Verse 3 1:10Improvisation 1:32Coda 1:50End 2:04

Instruments: vocals, guitar, bass, drums

12 bar blues progression

Scat singingConstant tempo and

volumeHomophonic texture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIWlWA1YTBw

“Hound Dog”

Released in 1956Produced under RCA RecordsLyrics are about a dog, not

about people like many people think

Cover of original by Big Mama Thornton

Performed with Scotty Moore (guitar), Bill Black (bass), and D.J. Fontana (drums)

Listening Guide

Chorus 00:00Verse 1 00:19Chorus 00:36Guitar Solo 00:52Verse 2 1:09Guitar Solo 1:25Verse 3 1:41Chorus 1:57Coda 2:14End 2:20

No introductionStrong backbeatElvis vocal tone is

forteLatin sounding drum

rhythm is heardHomophonic textureABACABA form

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJsQSb9RFo0

“Burning Love”

Released in 1972 under the RCA label.

Produced by Felton Jarvis and written by Dennis Linde

Performed with Ronnie Tutt (drums), James Burton (lead guitar), John Wilkinson (rhythm guitar), Jerry Scheff (bass)

Listening Guide

Introduction 00:00A-Verse 1 00:07A-Verse 2 00:18B-Chorus 00:32A-Verse 3 00:44A-Verse 4 1:00B-Chorus 1:12 Instrumental 1:25A-Verse 5 1:42A-Verse 6 1:53B-Chorus 2:06Coda 2:19End 3:00

AABAABAA formatStrong backbeatHomophonic textureGospel style

background vocalistsInstruments: guitar,

piano, bass, drums

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REc9aP7th4c

Bibliography

Bells, Mike. Elvis Presley Biography: A Life of Shock and…. New York, Random House,

2011. Print.

Breckenridge, Stan. Popular Music in America: Forging the American Spirit. Iowa: Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2012. Print.

Elvis Presley: Official Site of the King of Rock N Roll. Elvis Presley Enterprises, 2012. Web, April 29, 2012.