Elvis Presley: a National Icon

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Elvis Presley: a National Icon Elvis Presley is no doubt the king of Rock n’ Roll; he has left his legacy all over the world. Whether through music or in movies, Elvis is, if not the biggest, one of the biggest influences on the rise of rock n’ roll. Elvis succeeded in many things, but with every triumph there is a tragedy to follow it or come before it. Though Elvis’ legacy went on after his death, his death was a tragedy that devastated the nation. Beginning as a young boy with a love for music, Elvis rose to glory greatly impacting and influencing people around the world, setting the bar only to fall short due to drugs; we end with the death of a king whose story still lives today. Elvis began his soon to be career at the young age of ten years old when his fifth grade teacher entered him into “The music contest at the 38th annual Mississippi-Alabama fair and dairy show… He came second to Shirley Jones Gallentine.” (p.777, QRock stars) By the age of nineteen Presley was named “king of western pop” which lead him to signing his first recording contract with Sun Studio Records in July of 1954.(778) He had his first single released as his “ Sun debut” which topped the charts by the end of the month. Presley continues on with recording as well as getting a steady job to help support his mother and father at home. Presley was told that he wouldn’t make it as a big shot, by talent booker Jim Deeny, who suggests he takes up truck driving again after a practically failed attempt to perform for the Grand Ole Opry. (778) Elvis never gave up, he kept on moving forward; he had big plans for his future. By November 1955, Billboards National DJ voted Elvis most played male artist as well as country artist. Elvis also came out with his very first movie “Love Me Tender” from which he named his song love me tender. He, as well as making his first movie, reached number 10 on

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