Alex Wagner Hobbs ENC 1101 30 November 2014 Critical Analysis: Elvis Presley “Before Elvis there was nothing” (Lennon). Before the 1950s, American music was conservative and based on family values. Most music was segregated by its ethnic groups, white and black. Like Lennon quoted, white music was nothing; it was boring and not distinctive until the King of Rock and Roll hit the charts. Elvis Presley brought a new style and beat, as well as a distinctive cultural, moral and social perspective…
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the book ‘Race, Rock, and Elvis’ by Michael T. Bertrand, focused primarily on the creation and advancement of rock ’n’ roll, particularly the impact Elvis had, in regards to the racial intolerance of the south. The author “concludes that a generation that came of age after WW2, in creating and consuming rock ’n’ roll, broke with a past traditionally tied to racial subordination”(11). Some of the main issues discussed in the chapter were how rock ’n’ roll came about and what it did for both the music…
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people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do ‘em all together, I guess.’ -Elvis in 1956, talking about his way of moving on stage” (Graceland). Elvis Presley 1935-1977 was the man that single-handedly shaped rock and roll forever, making him the most influential musician ever, and this is how he did it. Elvis had a rough childhood living through the Great Depression on the lower side of the rank. The boy spent his earliest years in his hometown…
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three decades mentioned throughout this essay. During the 1930s and 1960s (Great Depression, World War 2 and after) new technology, new movies, increased population and integration of sports, and new roles in society were just some of the major influences in popular culture. In the 1950s, however, music would change popular culture forever. Popular culture greatly affected technology, the advancements and emotion it created were enormous. Technology during the great depression…
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very first genres of modern popular American music. Country music has a lot of history in it, being that it is epitome of early American music. Parts of this history include the evolution of instruments, where it came from, and where it got influence and how it influenced other music; all of which had great effects on what the genre is today. Country music began in the southern states of the U.S.A. It was a mix of British, African, and church sounds. Most people may believe Nashville was the…
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what they did. Beat Generation; appealing in music, many young children went to see this young man in Tennessee, Elvis Presley who was the kind of rock and roll. Many of the rebellion was shown through music that was popular of the era. Many young Americans were drinking, smoking and living the high life. Many were influence by this era and all followed by this many were living the life and doing things way differently than they were done before. Artists also joined the rebellion, many did not use…
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1950’s and early 60’s. On one hand, parents argue that these values were sacred and should be kept that way. On the other hand, teenagers argue that these values were out dated and did not want to follow such rules. My view is that the teenagers had there mind set on change and had every right to rebel the way they did. The parents of the 50’s were all about values and roles. According to the article What We Really Miss about the 50s, “It is believed that the 1950s provided a more family-friendly…
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Controversial Themes in Black Popular Music Controversial themes have always been explored in popular Black music. Because Black experiences influence Black mainstream culture (as with any culture), the social climate of historical eras influence how these themes are explored in popular culture, specifically in the form of music. The presence of controversial themes like racisms, sex and violence in black forms of music like the Blues, R&B/ Soul, Disco, Funk, and Hip-Hop are shaped by the happenings…
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In addition, we’ll also focus on the civil rights movement that followed after the song and movie were released and how it became an anthem for black youth in urban areas. Then into the transmission of the film and song and how they’re both still relevant today after 25 years after the release of the film. Finally, we’ll bring everything we learned throughout this semester and how they’re similarities from the Amandla documentary and the civil rights movement from the 1950’s and 60’s. In 1988…
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be the very first Honky-Tonk woman. This was a time in American history when divorce rate was beginning to rise and many women were becoming independent, rights seeking citizens. Wells was idolized by many women because of what she stood for, and sang for. As Country music became more and more “Hollywoodized”, big business and big money crept into the industry. Webb Pierce was one of the first noticeable high-class Country musicians. He wore glittered, fancy clothes, rode around in a Cadillac with…
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