The King of Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley By: Marquis Horne.
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Transcript of The King of Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley By: Marquis Horne.
The King of Rock and Roll: Elvis PresleyBy: Marquis Horne
Early Life
Born January 8th, 1935 in Tulepo, Mississippi
Influenced to get into music by attending church services and listening to country music with his family.
Early Life, Continued
For his 11th birthday, Elvis receives his first guitar.
Moves from Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee.
While in Memphis, Elvis spends significant time on Beale Street where the blues and gospel singers influence him.
Early Career
After graduating high school, Elvis auditions with Sun Records.
They are impressed and pair him with Scotty Moore and Bill Black
In 1954, they do a cover of Arthur Crudup’s “That’s Alright, Mama”
Early Career, Continued
“That’s Alright Mama” climbs the Billboard Charts
Elvis is introduced to Colonel Tom Parker while working for the radio show “Louisiana Hayride.”
Parker helps Elvis sign on with RCA Records which would launch his career into mainstream popular culture.
The Road to Becoming “The King”
1956, “Heartbreak Hotel” is released. This would become his first major hit.
Elvis Mania sweeps across the nation as he appears on several different variety shows.
In 1956, Elvis merchandise grossed $22 million
The Army
At the end of 1957, Elvis receives a draft letter.
He would serve in the United States Army in a variety of cities, including Germany, from 1958-1960.
Upon his return from service, his career would take off.
Elvis in Film
Upon returning from the war, Elvis focused on his film career while also making soundtracks for the films.
“G.I. Blues” was released in 1960 and his soundtrack for it rose to number one.
Elvis in Film, Continued
Other feature films starring Elvis include “Blue Hawaii,” “Viva Las Vegas,” and “Girls! Girls! Girls!”
Over the course of his lifetime, Elvis would star in 31 feature films
A Return to the Stage
1968: Elvis returns to the stage to perform a concert live on NBC entitled “Elvis.”
This concert regenerates his passion for studio recording and touring.
The Early 1970s
In the early 1970s, Elvis records several hits that rise up the Billboard Charts
In 1972, over 1.5 billion worldwide tune in to another television special “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii-Via Satellite.”
The Mid 1970s
Elvis continues to tour throughout the United States and the World with crowds packing stadiums/arenas to view his iconic music
August 16th, 1977
Preparing to return to the stage following a short break, Elvis dies of an apparent heart attack while sleeping at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
The heart attack is believed to have been caused by an addiction to pain killers.
The world mourns his loss.
Accolades
149 Songs made the Billboard 100, with 18 going to #1
Album sales are over 2 billion
150 albums have received platinum, gold, or multi-platinum status
Starred in 31 feature film.
Inaugural member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Nominated for 18 Grammy’s and won 3
Country Music Hall of Fame
“That’s Alright Mama”
Released in 1954Cover of song by Arthur
CrudupRecorded at Sun RecordsAccompanied by Scotty
Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass
Considered by many to be the first rock and roll album
Listening Guide
Introduction 00:00Verse 1 00:07
Verse 2 00:29Guitar Solo 00:48Verse 3 1:10Improvisation 1:32Coda 1:50End 2:04
Instruments: vocals, guitar, bass, drums
12 bar blues progression
Scat singingConstant tempo and
volumeHomophonic texture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIWlWA1YTBw
“Hound Dog”
Released in 1956Produced under RCA RecordsLyrics are about a dog, not
about people like many people think
Cover of original by Big Mama Thornton
Performed with Scotty Moore (guitar), Bill Black (bass), and D.J. Fontana (drums)
Listening Guide
Chorus 00:00Verse 1 00:19Chorus 00:36Guitar Solo 00:52Verse 2 1:09Guitar Solo 1:25Verse 3 1:41Chorus 1:57Coda 2:14End 2:20
No introductionStrong backbeatElvis vocal tone is
forteLatin sounding drum
rhythm is heardHomophonic textureABACABA form
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJsQSb9RFo0
“Burning Love”
Released in 1972 under the RCA label.
Produced by Felton Jarvis and written by Dennis Linde
Performed with Ronnie Tutt (drums), James Burton (lead guitar), John Wilkinson (rhythm guitar), Jerry Scheff (bass)
Listening Guide
Introduction 00:00A-Verse 1 00:07A-Verse 2 00:18B-Chorus 00:32A-Verse 3 00:44A-Verse 4 1:00B-Chorus 1:12 Instrumental 1:25A-Verse 5 1:42A-Verse 6 1:53B-Chorus 2:06Coda 2:19End 3:00
AABAABAA formatStrong backbeatHomophonic textureGospel style
background vocalistsInstruments: guitar,
piano, bass, drums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REc9aP7th4c
Bibliography
Bells, Mike. Elvis Presley Biography: A Life of Shock and…. New York, Random House,
2011. Print.
Breckenridge, Stan. Popular Music in America: Forging the American Spirit. Iowa: Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2012. Print.
Elvis Presley: Official Site of the King of Rock N Roll. Elvis Presley Enterprises, 2012. Web, April 29, 2012.