#2 Elvis Presley

Elvis is the King of Rock n Roll. He is the American icon. Elvis combined rockabilly, country, and R&B to create his own sound. He was extremely controversial at first. People were uncomfortable with the musical “race mixing.” Additionally, his sexually charged shows further rankled critics. Elvis also used a back beat to change the direction of music. Some consider “That’s All Right” the first rock song. However, “Hound Dog” was the major cultural milestone. It truly marked rock’s emergence. Also, Elvis was one of the Young Turks of the fifties that defined rebellion, but had nothing to rebel against.

The fifties generation can remember where they were when Elvis broke, when he was on Steve Allen, or when he was on Ed Sullivan. They were the ones that attended and watched his comeback special in ‘68 while in their thirties. Elvis’ voice is amongst the most versatile in rock music. His music covered every possible genre and he even won Grammy Awards for his Gospel work. At his height, Elvis dominated like no other act in Rock History with the exception of the Beatles. After an amazing run, he was drafted into the army.

After returning from the service, Elvis scored some hits, but he spent most of his time making bad movies. After several years away, Elvis made a comeback special in 1968. The King was back. Over a billion people watched his Hawaiian Special in 1973. By the late seventies, he was a shell of his former self. He died in 1977 and has been hanging out at Burger Kings ever since. Interestingly, Elvis scored a #1 in the early 2000s with a remixed version of "A Little Less Conversation."

Rock n Roll Moment: Elvis ran out onto a tarmac, flashed his DEA badge, and stopped a plane taxiing on the runway.

Essential Elvis:
Elvis Presley (1956)
Elvis (1956)
Elvis (1968)
The Sun Sessions (1976)

Elvis’ Top 10:
That’s All Right
Heartbreak Hotel
Don’t Be Cruel
Hound Dog
Love Me Tender
All Shook Up
Jailhouse Rock
A Little Less Conversation
Can’t Help Falling
Suspicious Minds