What was the big deal about Elvis?

1. 65

   starlightreflexposted 9 years ago

   What was the big deal about Elvis?
   
   I'm an 80's kid, grew up knowing Elvis Presley as the King, but not really following his music besides a few snippets here and there. I'm listening to his recordings now. They're pretty simple progressions, and sound fuzzy (no faulting them for low fidelity). There has to be an X factor that made him a sensation if you were there. I can't see it, could anybody who was "right there" explain it to me? I'm not going to just read a wikipedia article to figure this out- it would be nice to hear from some authentic fans who made Elvis into the King of Rock and Roll.
   
   

   replyreport
2. 0

   JThomp42posted 9 years ago

   No one made Elvis the king.. his stage presence, his charisma, a voice that is unmatched, the way he lead his life, etc. made him the king of rock n roll as we know it. His influence greatly qualifies as the reason so many artists are successful even today. The question should be; where would rock be without Elvis.

   replyreport
3. 80

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   No matter who the artist is you have to put things in perspective with regard to the era they burst on the scene. In a time where most performers were plain and straight laced. Elvis cut a completely different image from his peers. He had "swagger",  his hairstyle was unique,  and he could dance. In fact some TV shows refused to show his hips moving while he performed. Girls were crazy about him and this led many guys to want to imitate him. Whenever an artists becomes an icon or brand due to their looks, clothes, speech pattern, outlandish behavior and the toys they own (private jet)..etc
   Today much of this is commonplace but during the 50s & 60s he was a trailblazer with hit records, sold out concerts, and hit movies.
   Last but not least anytime someone is crowned "The King" of anything there is usually a correlation with their record sales, and the amount of time spent at #1 on the charts. As I said it's all relative to the era the artist arrived.
   Prior to Elvis there was Frank Sinatra and after Elvis came The Beatles with record breaking sales and concerts, and then came Michael Jackson where some estimates claim "Thriller" sold over 100 Million copies worldwide. Very few artists become icons.
   Nevertheless I'm sure pre-teens of today will wonder what was the big deal. In order to fully appreciate these artists you have to have been around to see their explosion on the scene versus their peers.

   replyreport
4. 0

   Sri Tposted 9 years ago

   He combined country, gospel and rhythm and blues plus a rebel/lady's man image. The musical style was unique because r and b and some rock was being held down by American mainstream radio. It was called the devils music. Just what Eminem did with rap music, Elvis did with the musical styles of his era. What makes Eminem stand out? That's your answer.

   replyreport
5. 0

   Daveadamposted 9 years ago

   I'm no expert & he died when i was 5 years old, but me dad played a lot of Elvis stuff so i started to like the sound of his voice....Anyway he was the first guy to do any sort of provocative dancing, & was at one time only filmed from the waist up!lol....He was from what i can gather & truly great & generous guy, & was often giving cars away to his friends....He was a religious guy who sang a lot of gospel songs, & one of his best friends in his Vegas years was Tom Jones....His was ruined in Vegas by temptation, but what are yer gonna do when "all" the women want yer?lol....He did have one of the best voices of all time, but some of his songs we're dodgy....Most of his films he didn't want to do, but was contracted to do even though he thought he was a crap actor & the films we're crap....So to sum up I'd say he was a great guy, & i still listen to his tunes every now & again....I'd say he was used & abuse to the max for maximum profit, & it was that which killed him....Watch 2000 miles to graceland (kurt russell/kevin costner), Elvis isn't in it but some good Elvis tunes.

   replyreport