Elvis Presley's Accomplishments

Elvis was adored and very popular in the 1950s. “Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 into a hard scrabble existence in East Tupelo, Mississippi” (ABC-CLIO). Elvis built up his career on his own and was very successful even with all the hate he would receive. He maintained his fame even when he was drafted into the army. He was influenced by many genres and singers so most of his music was by other musicians (ABC-CLIO). In December of 1957 “Presley was drafted into the U.S army…in 1967, he married Priscilla Beaulieu, the daughter of an army officer Presley had known in Germany…” (ABC-CLIO). In the 50s and 60s he was the top recording artist and before his tragic death, Elvis had 136 gold records and 10 platinum albums (Benson et
In the late 60s he started to struggle with his weight and depended a lot on drugs (Benson et al). Elvis was the first rock and roll star and teen’s parents despised him. He moved his hips in a very sexual manner, danced around with a microphone, combed back his hair in a very specific way (Newman). June Bundy, a feminist author reports that rock and roll music began to drive some teengaers wild as they listened and danced to the rhythm of the music in public places while unaware of the consequences to come. Also it influenced kids to speak their minds, try, and experience new things that would also cause them trouble later on (Bundy).Juny also reports that “teenagers’ sometimes rowdy manners during these events made them easy prey to arrest.” Teenagers would not care of the actions they were partaking in which would get them in huge trouble especially since their parents didn’t want them to listen to rock they would do it anyway. Even though Elvis had his ups and downs, he still maintained his popularity and fame, remaining at the top of the