Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was born swinging his hips and seducing women. He was a white southerner who brought singing blues together with country, and combined aspects of gospel too. This new sound came from both sides of the color line, and Elvis developed a unique rockabilly sound that no one would ever copy. Presley also brought just as unforgettable of an image as he did a sound. His sexual swiveling of his hips, slicked back hair, and expensive attire created a teen idol, and a model for next generations of the cool rebel. In his time, Elvis Presley was considered to be vulgar, incompetent, and a bad influence on young society. However, the force of his music and image brought forth change in musical style and attitude in the American mainstream music culture.

Son of Gladys and Vernon Presley, Elvis was born January 8, 1935 in East Tupelo, Mississippi. Growing up in poverty with a sewing machine operator and a truck driver's salary, Vernon made things worse when he was sent to prison while Elvis was three, leaving his only son and wife alone. It was during the next eight months that Elvis would attend the First Assembly of God Church, in which Elvis supposedly sang his first words along with the gospel choir. It was not until fifth grade, however, that he would make his first public appearance after the request of his teacher. He entered and won second place in a children's day talent contest, singing Red Foley's 'Old Shep' while dancing in a cowboy suit. The following January, Elvis was given a guitar for his birthday, and would start lessons with his uncle Johnny Smith and pastor Frank Smith. He would sing 'Leaf on a Tree' in 1948 as a farewell to his Junior High class before the Presley family made the move to Memphis due to another one of Vernon's job changes. He would spend most of his time away from school and related activities after his football coach cut him for not trimming his sideburns and ducktail. Instead, he would walk around historic Beale Street listening to his family's favorite country songs, and adopting a new taste in some black R&B. He would frequently attend the all night gospel singings held downtown, sticking out with his long, slick hair, which was unusual for the time. Elvis' childhood and upbringing were not the worst, however they forced him to be somewhat of an outcast, and his location in the heart of a diverse melting pot of music led to