Chapter 2: Elvis Presley
Preview Questions
Introduction
In this chapter we will see how towards the end of the 1950s rock and roll sprung from a fusion of blues, R&B, swing, rockabilly, and country. White artists like Elvis Presley and Pat Boone appropriated the songs and style of black singers like Little Richard and Chuck Berry and enjoyed phenomenal success in terms of record sales.
Review Questions
- What songs by Elvis Presley are you familiar with?
- Why was he called “the King of Rock and Roll”? Did he deserve that title? Why (not)?
- What do you know about the style of music called “rockabilly”?
- How would you describe his singing voice?
- How would you describe the way he performed on stage? Why do you think it appealed to fans?
- Why was he popular on television?
- What position do you think Elvis occupies in the list of the ten most successful musicians in terms of record sales?
Introduction
In this chapter we will see how towards the end of the 1950s rock and roll sprung from a fusion of blues, R&B, swing, rockabilly, and country. White artists like Elvis Presley and Pat Boone appropriated the songs and style of black singers like Little Richard and Chuck Berry and enjoyed phenomenal success in terms of record sales.
Review Questions
- Describe the rockabilly style.
- Describe Elvis’ singing voice and the way he appeared on stage.
- What led up to Elvis being signed with RCA Records?
- How would you compare Elvis’s singing style with those of Little Richard, Big Mama Thornton, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Pat Boone?
- How did Elvis’ songs change in later years? How did his image change?