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Elvis is the #2 biggest selling music artist of all time (U.S.). He is second only to the Beatles, having sold over 118 million units (albums, singles, tapes, cds) and is now the biggest selling solo artist in U.S. history.

There is so much, TOO MUCH, that could be and has already been written about this American music icon, Elvis Presley. So I'm going to write about the cultural impact Elvis had on music and on society at large.

I was discussing the history of rock n' roll with a guitartist friend of mine and the subject of Elvis came up. I mentioned that John Lennon had once purportedly remarked, "Before Elvis, there was nothing."

My friend immediately bristled at the notion. "No way," he replied, "he didn't invent anything...Chuck Berry and Little Richard were playing rock n' roll before Elvis...he got it from them. Chuck Berry kicks Elvis' ass!"

I told my friend I thought he had missed the point. John Lennon and everybody else, including Elvis, knew where the roots of rock n' roll lay -- in African-American music.

Elvis said it himself. "'The colored folks been singing it and playing it just like I'm doing now, man, for more years than I know,' Elvis told reporters in 1956. 'I got it from them. Down in Tupelo, Mississippi, I used to hear old Arthur Crudup bang his box the way I do now, and I said if I ever got to the place where I could feel all old Arthur felt, I'd be a music man like nobody ever saw.'" --Time Magazine

(Some have claimed that Elvis' 1954 cover of bluesman Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's "That's All Right" is the definitive first rock and roll recording. While this assertion may be widely accepted by Elvis fans - and Elvis WAS among the very first to make rock and roll records - most historians trace the "first" R&R record back to 1951 and a song entitled "Rocket 88," recorded at Sam Phillips' studio in Memphis, where Elvis also later recorded.

"March 1, 1951 - Sam Phillips records 'Rocket 88' with singer Jackie Brenston and Ike Turner's band for Chess records. This recording is widely considered the first rock and roll record." --Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

Elvis did not invent rock and roll. But he was an innovator, nonetheless, transfusing the popular music of the fifties (then dominated by white "crooners" such as Frank Sinatra, Pat Boone, Eddie Fisher and others of that ilk) with black music, gospel music...SOUL music.

And that transfusion was an important component of the anti-segregation sentiment that was brewing at the time and that led ultimately to the Civil Rights Movement...and desegregation.

While Elvis' contribution to rock and roll was enormous, his contribution to his GENERATION was even greater.

DA Jack Hayford is the editor of the popular music reference website, Events-in-Music.com. Mr. Hayford is also the Program Director and co-founder of the online home of the ten-plus-year old Durango Songwriters Expo, a premier annual educational and inspirational event for aspiring songwriters.

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Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two room house in Tupelo Mississippi on January 8, 1935. He was born with a twin called Jessie Garon, but unfortunately Jessie was still born. Vernon and Gladys had no more children leaving Elvis to be raised as an only child. In 1948 the Presley family moved to Memphis Tennessee and Elvis graduated from Humes High School in 1953.

Elvis found his musical influences form pop, country music of the time, and also the gospel music he heard at church. In 1954 Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label based in Memphis Tennessee. This recording contract was then sold to RCA Victor in 1955. The following year Elvis had become and international sensation.

His sound was extremely unique and combined his diverse musical influences that broke down the barriers between social and racial classes of the time. He was the birth of a whole new era for American pop music and music across the world as a whole.

Elvis starred in 33 hugely successful films with numerous television appearances and specials. He also frequently had record breaking live concerts on tour and often in Las Vegas. Elvis has sold more records than any other artist in history with over one billion total sales. He had 14 Grammy nominations with 3 wins, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.>

His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977.

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Elvis' full name is Elvis Aaron Presley. He was born on January 8, 1935. He is the most talked about rock and roll singers to date. He had a twin brother named Garon, who died and it was because of him Elvis had his middle name Aaron so that he could always feel his brother as a part of him. Elvis is also known as the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis started out his career singing rhythm and blues, gospel and country. He is known as the first singer who merged the country music with blues. He also sang ballads, pop, folk, as well as opera and jazz.

Elvis took the world with a sweep. There are millions of Elvis' fans throughout the world, who still love him dearly. He had a musical career that ranges over the span of two decades. You might be surprised to know that Elvis Presley had a very tough childhood where his father did not want to take any responsibility of the family and Elvis' mother was working really hard to make the ends meet. It was in 1938 that Elvis' father was convicted of forgery and was sent to Mississippi State Penitentiary.

Elvis had been known to hang out with only a few friends and he never mingled much with his classmates. His teachers tell of him as a student who was sweet and loving and loved to read comic books. Elvis was living in a dreamland of his own. He used to hang out at theaters and listened to the local musicians and it was then he thought of expressing his emotions through music. It was in 1945, that Elvis' mom bought him the first guitar valued at $12.75. The first two songs recorded by Elvis were "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin." There is so much about Elvis that I can go on and on for days. The last words that I have to say are "He Is My Hero."

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Elvis party supplies and fun free educational party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Shop has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Theme Parties to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

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