Elvis

10x10in

2024

Elvis Presley, often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll," became a global music icon known for his charisma, voice, and revolutionary impact on American pop culture. 

Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935. Growing up in the South, he was heavily influenced by the music of Black churches and neighborhoods, often attending gospel revivals and listening to blues artists on the radio. Mississippi’s rich Black musical traditions shaped his sound, from his vocal delivery to his stage presence. He drew direct inspiration from artists like Big Mama Thornton, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, and Chuck Berry—Black musicians whose styles and songs often went uncredited or under-recognized in comparison to Elvis's massive success.

While Elvis helped bring Black musical styles into the mainstream, he also benefited from a racially biased music industry that promoted white artists over their Black counterparts. Songs like “Hound Dog,” first recorded by Big Mama Thornton, and “That’s All Right,” originally by Arthur Crudup, gained far more attention when performed by Elvis. Though he acknowledged the influence of Black musicians and was respected by many of them, the systemic racism of the time meant that Elvis soared to stardom while many of the original innovators were left in the shadows.


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