History of Rock and Roll ElvisPresley

ELVIS 2 Sam Phillips ( ) Elvis was “discovered” by independent music producer Sam Phillips Elvis was “discovered” by independent music producer Sam Phillips Phillips had worked as a disc jockey at WREC in Memphis - late 40's Phillips had worked as a disc jockey at WREC in Memphis - late 40's Phillips was interested in roots- based, blues and R&B, African- American music genres Phillips was interested in roots- based, blues and R&B, African- American music genres In 1952, Phillips founded his own label, Sun Records, in Memphis. In 1952, Phillips founded his own label, Sun Records, in Memphis. Phillips is identified with the following quote: “If only I could find a white man who had the Negro sound and the Negro feel, I could make a billion dollars.

ELVIS 3 - Sun Records In addition to his blues recordings, Sam Phillips and Sun Records pioneered the “Rockabilly” style. In addition to his blues recordings, Sam Phillips and Sun Records pioneered the “Rockabilly” style. Phillips was the first to record Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and others Phillips was the first to record Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and others Phillips’ rockabilly sound was characterized by: The use of “slapping bass” for rhythm The use of “slapping bass” for rhythm The use of “slap-back echo” The use of “slap-back echo” Emphasis on guitar “solos” Emphasis on guitar “solos” …more on all this during the “Rockabilly” lecture ! !

ELVIS 4 – First big hit, “That’s All Right Mama” Recorded at Sun, July 1954 Recorded at Sun, July 1954 Cover of an original R&B tune by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup Cover of an original R&B tune by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup Elvis, Scotty Moore (guitar), Bill Black (bass) Elvis, Scotty Moore (guitar), Bill Black (bass) Intending to record “Blue Moon of Kentucky” Intending to record “Blue Moon of Kentucky” Phillips heard them playing “That’s All Right” during a break, and made that the “A” side of the single instead Phillips heard them playing “That’s All Right” during a break, and made that the “A” side of the single instead

ELVIS 5 – early bio Born 1935, Tupelo, MS Born 1935, Tupelo, MS Twin brother died at birth Twin brother died at birth Family poor; various troubles Family poor; various troubles Mom bought him a guitar when he was around 10 or 11 Mom bought him a guitar when he was around 10 or 11 Moved to Memphis age 13 Moved to Memphis age 13 Musical influences: country, Memphis blues & jazz musicians, church music he heard as a child (AoG and Baptist) Musical influences: country, Memphis blues & jazz musicians, church music he heard as a child (AoG and Baptist) Begins recording career in 1956, age 21 Begins recording career in 1956, age 21 Gladys, Elvis and Vernon Presley

ELVIS 6 Colonel Tom Parker and RCA Near the end of 1955, Elvis got a manager: Colonel Tom Parker. Near the end of 1955, Elvis got a manager: Colonel Tom Parker. Parker’s control of Elvis career lasted right up until Elvis’ death in His “split” of the profits eventually reached 50 per cent. Parker’s control of Elvis career lasted right up until Elvis’ death in His “split” of the profits eventually reached 50 per cent. Parker made changes right away: He sold Presley's record contract to RCA for 35,000 dollars He sold Presley's record contract to RCA for 35,000 dollars He got Elvis a number of TV appearances He got Elvis a number of TV appearances He got Elvis a movie contract with MGM He got Elvis a movie contract with MGM

ELVIS 7 – 58 weeks at #1 Elvis’ RCA style: more drums, harder “rock and roll” sound (as opposed to Sun “rockabilly” style) Elvis’ RCA style: more drums, harder “rock and roll” sound (as opposed to Sun “rockabilly” style) Elvis’ first single for RCA was “Heartbreak Hotel” – 1956 Elvis’ first single for RCA was “Heartbreak Hotel” – 1956 In 1956 and 1957, Elvis held the #1 position on the pop music charts for 58 weeks. In 1956 and 1957, Elvis held the #1 position on the pop music charts for 58 weeks.

ELVIS 8 – First TV appearances FIRST TV APPEARANCE: Dorsey Brothers Stage Show 1956 (with Scotty Moore and Bill Black) One month later: Milton Berle Show (with Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and drummer DJ Fontana)

ELVIS 9 – Ed Sullivan Sullivan had refused to have Elvis on his show – “too controversial” – why ?? Sullivan had refused to have Elvis on his show – “too controversial” – why ?? Impressed by the ratings of the other shows, he relented Impressed by the ratings of the other shows, he relented Sullivan ordered his camera crew to film Elvis only “from the waist up.” Sullivan ordered his camera crew to film Elvis only “from the waist up.” Elvis’ first Sullivan appearance was almost exactly 50 years ago: 9/9/56

ELVIS 10 – Elvis the Movie Star With Elvis’ movie contract with MGM, the King of Rock and Roll also became a movie star. He made four movies in the 1950s: Love Me Tender Love Me Tender Jailhouse Rock Jailhouse Rock Loving You Loving You King Creole King Creole

ELVIS 11 – The Army 1958: Elvis was drafted 1958: Elvis was drafted On Parker’s advice, he did not enter Special Services On Parker’s advice, he did not enter Special Services Though Elvis worried about his career, his army stint changed his public image from “bad boy” to upstanding citizen Though Elvis worried about his career, his army stint changed his public image from “bad boy” to upstanding citizen His mother passed away while he was in the Army His mother passed away while he was in the Army He also met his future wife Priscilla at this time, but she was only 14 He also met his future wife Priscilla at this time, but she was only 14

ELVIS 12– early 60s Elvis got out of the army in 1960 Made more movies Made more movies Style leaned more toward ballads, pop songs Style leaned more toward ballads, pop songs Not as many hits -- early 60s charts dominated by British Invasion, folk-rock Not as many hits -- early 60s charts dominated by British Invasion, folk-rock Has a Hit in 1965 with “Crying in the Chapel” Has a Hit in 1965 with “Crying in the Chapel” May 1967: Elvis marries Priscilla Beaulieu May 1967: Elvis marries Priscilla Beaulieu

ELVIS 13 – 1968 “Comeback” Special 1968: Elvis makes a TV show for NBC, billed as his “Comeback Special” 1968: Elvis makes a TV show for NBC, billed as his “Comeback Special” Music was much more like his early material Music was much more like his early material Often regarded as one of his best performances Often regarded as one of his best performances

ELVIS 14 – late 60s early 70s: Las Vegas Elvis Elvis still world-famous, despite a decline in actual Top 40 hits Elvis still world-famous, despite a decline in actual Top 40 hits Starts performing live again, especially in Las Vegas Starts performing live again, especially in Las Vegas Personal problems: prescription drug abuse, etc Personal problems: prescription drug abuse, etc : finally another big hit with “Suspicious Minds” : finally another big hit with “Suspicious Minds” Pictured: Elvis meets Nixon, Elvis asks Nixon if he can have an FBI badge for his badge collection. He gets the badge and a tour of FBI headquarters.

ELVIS 15 – 70’s 1970s: Elvis still touring, despite various health and drug problems Elvis still touring, despite various health and drug problems Still a popular Las Vegas act as well Still a popular Las Vegas act as well Several country and gospel recordings Several country and gospel recordings Became somewhat reclusive after his divorce in 1973 Became somewhat reclusive after his divorce in 1973

ELVIS 16 – August 16, 1977 Elvis is found dead at his home, Graceland. His death is ruled a heart attack. Literally hundreds of thousands of people attend his funeral. He is buried next to his mother (both graves are now at Graceland.) Elvis’ funeral

Elvis 17 - Legacy Elvis became a rock and roll “Icon” (What is an icon?) Elvis was the first rock and roll musician to reach such an extreme degree of world-wide fame and commercial success Elvis’ musical influences reflected the wide diversity of American popular music This diversity contributed to an expanded notion of what constitutes “rock and roll” music