Elvis and Black Music

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that in order to examine the genuine roots of Elvis's music and its close connection to African-American musical traditions, several areas must be explored. First the writer provides a closer look at the black musical tradition of Elvis's own period. The writer then offers an examination of musical blending of these various strains and influences that occurred within Elvis's early career and lifetime. The writer analyzes Elvis's childhood and the influence of black musical traditions upon his later music. Finally, this essay offers analysis of his actual musical contributions and legacy to black Southern culture, the growing civil rights movement of his day, and mainstream American culture in general, then and now.

From the Paper:

"However many black musical; cultural, and other historians claim that Elvis's theft of their musical tradition is the epitome of the racism inherent within that era. The whole Elvis phenomenon in rock'n roll music yesterday and today only serves to further underscore, they contend, the foul way so many black writers and performers, such as Little Richard, were treated by the music industry in Elvis's own heyday. The enduring image of Elvis is a constant reflection of
Society's then-refusal to accept anything other than the non-threatening and subservient Negro. The legacy of Elvis as King of Rock and Roll has to be re-examined, those critics suggest, especially in the wake of better and more accurate scrutiny nowadays of the true origins of rock 'roll. These stem from deep African American musical traditions in blues and gospel music. Elvis himself admitted that his music is heavily influenced by the gospel of his childhood."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "African American Musical Tradition." (June 9, 1998). Retrieved January 9, 2007,From: <http://www.questia.com/html>.
• Bane, Michael. White Boy Singin' the Blues: The Black Roots of White Rock. Harmondsworth, Eng: Penguin, 1982.
• Bertrand, Michael T. Race, Rock, and Elvis. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2000. 26-28.
• Chadwick, Vernon (Ed.). In Search of Elvis: Music, Race, Art, Religion. Proceedings of the First Annual International Conference on Elvis Presley. New York: Westview [sic], 1997).
• Doss, Erika. Elvis Culture. Kansas City, KA: University of Kansas Press, 1999.

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