Elvis Presley: A Unique Contribution to American History
Elvis Presley Elvis Presley has made a unique contribution to American history. Earning the title of The King of Rock and Roll proved his influence and redefinition of American music. “In the 1950’s, the South was heavily racially segregated, but Presley’s music broke past these racial barriers. He allowed African American music to be accessible to white American youth who had never really been exposed to it” (Marcie Wallace 100). Elvis’ radical style pushed the boundaries of social and moral values and changed the music industry forever. His impact can be proven through his performance, his status as a musical icon, and the presence of his legacy in today’s society.
On January 8, 1935, Elvis Aron Presley was born to Vernon Elvis Presley and Gladys Love Smith. He was the second of twins. His brother, Jesse Garon had been delivered dead at birth. Born in East Tupelo, Mississippi, a poor farming community severely hit by the Great Depression, Elvis was treated with a particular care by his parents, possibly because his twin did not live. Biographer Howard Dewitt states in Elvis Presley, “Vernon and Gladys believed that Elvis was a ‘special creation’ sent by the Lord, and they speculated that he had a special destiny.” Struggling to make ends meet, Gladys had quit her job when Elvis was born and Vernon did whatever he possibly could to obtain a decent income despite how hard jobs were to find. Throughout Elvis’ childhood, the lack of money had always greatly affected him. As a kid he was deeply devoted to his mother and had promised her to pay his parent’s debt, and even buy them new cars when he grew older. Gladys had a strong faith in God and attended an Assembly of God church with her family where Elvis first was influenced by Gospel music. At the age of 10, Elvis got a guitar for his birthday and began taking basic lessons from his uncles and the pastor at his family’s church. Presley recalled, "I took the guitar, and I watched people, and I learned to
On January 8, 1935, Elvis Aron Presley was born to Vernon Elvis Presley and Gladys Love Smith. He was the second of twins. His brother, Jesse Garon had been delivered dead at birth. Born in East Tupelo, Mississippi, a poor farming community severely hit by the Great Depression, Elvis was treated with a particular care by his parents, possibly because his twin did not live. Biographer Howard Dewitt states in Elvis Presley, “Vernon and Gladys believed that Elvis was a ‘special creation’ sent by the Lord, and they speculated that he had a special destiny.” Struggling to make ends meet, Gladys had quit her job when Elvis was born and Vernon did whatever he possibly could to obtain a decent income despite how hard jobs were to find. Throughout Elvis’ childhood, the lack of money had always greatly affected him. As a kid he was deeply devoted to his mother and had promised her to pay his parent’s debt, and even buy them new cars when he grew older. Gladys had a strong faith in God and attended an Assembly of God church with her family where Elvis first was influenced by Gospel music. At the age of 10, Elvis got a guitar for his birthday and began taking basic lessons from his uncles and the pastor at his family’s church. Presley recalled, "I took the guitar, and I watched people, and I learned to