Gospel Influences on Rock-n-Roll Gospel music was the major influence on Elvis' interpretation of
rock n roll.
The Bible-Belt beginnings that differed little from Black allow him fuse two music cultures.
Although the South enforced segregation, poor Whites mingled freely with the Black community because they lived in close proximity. Memphis Blacks were luckier than their Southern brothers were as they were allowed to perform to a mixed audience.
Beale Street had bars where Blacks performed to a mixed audience. In bars and on radio (Memphis radio broadcast Black music) was where Elvis listened and learnt. What made Elvis' Rock-n-Roll Different? Elvis made a greater impact because he was a White man that sounded Black.
Compared to Frank
Sinatra who crooned his way into your heart, Elvis reflected the teenage sexual energy that made a connection with a whole generation. What made Elvis' stage act unique was attitude.
He was a rebel with a cause that parents loved to hate - enough reason for most teenagers to embrace Elvis. His music in context of middle American 50's values was a timely coincidence, and what his generated craved. An idol that reflected rebelliousness defied authority, while demanding we don't step on his blue suede shoes.
The Million Dollars Quartet:
Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.
On December 4, 1956, Elvis
Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis & Johnny Cash got together in the Sun Records Studio in Memphis. The session pinpoints with unabashed accuracy where rock-n-roll got its energy. It proves that it wasn't simply something that exploded on an unsuspecting world one day in `55.
The roots were clearly borne and deeply rooted in country & gospel music. As Elvis, Perkins & Lewis mixed their unique styles, each performer's gifts emerge with the rarest musical qualities.
Elvis Interview: December 3, 1956...
"I never had a better time than yesterday afternoon when I dropped into Sam Phillips' place."
"It was what you might call a barrelhouse of fun. Carl Perkins was in a recording session and he had one that's going to hit as hard as Blue Suede Shoes."
"Johnny Cash dropped in. Jerry Lee Lewis was there too, and then I stopped by..."
Elvis headed for the piano and did a
Fats Domino impersonation of Blueberry Hill. The joint was really rocking before we got through. Elvis on Jerry Lee.
"That boy can go," he said. "I think he has a great future ahead of him."
Analysing the Sun
Studio recordings to his RCA recording session and one gets the feeling that Elvis has been stifled of his creativeness.
It is obvious that RCA producer did not have the faith in Elvis that is clearly indicated by the many and terrible movie soundtrack offerings. It was not until the hit songs In the Ghetto & Moody Blues that Elvis revive his flagging record career. Why does Elvis music still sell?
Are his fans re-discovering the multi-faceted singer? Like many fans, I did not discover Elvis' gospel music until after his death, when I could not get enough of his music. Why is 50's music still so popular with radio stations? In context 90's music is angry and aggressive whereas 50's music talks of hope - a story we all want to hear.
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