Term paper on Elvis Presley and Rock ‘n’ Roll Music

Elvis Presley and Rock ‘n’ Roll Music

term paper RESOURCE GUIDE

In the early 1950s disc jockey Alan Freed coined the term rock ‘n’ roll to describe music then known as rhythm and blues (R&B), which was popular primarily among African Americans. Although a few African American R&B singers gained prominence during the decade, it was the white Mississippi-born Elvis Presley who was mainly responsible for the widespread popularity of rock music with white audiences. Many people deplored the sexual suggestiveness of rock ‘n’ roll, but fully 80 percent of America ‘s television audience viewed Presley’s first appearance in 1956 on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Suggestions for Term Papers

1. Why did rock ‘n’ roll became popular during the 1950s?

2. Analyze Elvis Presley’s rise to stardom.

3. Analyze the continued popularity of Elvis Presley.

4. Discuss the career of a prominent rock singer or rock group.

5. Discuss opposition to rock ‘n’ roll.

REFERENCE SOURCES

The Elvis Encyclopedia: The Complete and Definitive Reference Book on the King of Rock and Roll . David E. Stanley and Frank Coffey. Los Angeles : General Publishing, 1994. Extensive treatment of Elvis’s life and career written by his stepbrother. More than a biography, it contains over 250 photographs and a detailed chronology. Provides excellent insight.

Elvis Presley: A Bio-Bibliography . Pasty G. Hammontree. Westport , CT : Greenwood , 1985. A detailed examination of Elvis and the Elvis legend through analysis of books, articles, interviews, and other material. Treats his life, career, and impact.

Elvis Presley, a Complete Reference: Biography, Chronology, Concert Lists, Filmography, Discography, Vital Documents, Bibliography, Index . Wendy Sauers, comp. Jefferson , NC : McFarland, 1984. Complete reference volume devoted to the topic; thorough handbook and guide to Elvis.

The Rock and Roll Readers Guide: A Comprehensive Guide to Books by and about Musicians and Their Music . Gary M. Krebs. New York : Billboard Books, 1997. An extensive listing of writings on musicians including Elvis—biographies, magazines, reference works and others.

Rock on Almanac, The First Four Decades of Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Chronology . 2d ed. Norm N. Nite. New York : HarperPerennial, 1992. Provides a chronology of rock music developments along with discographies and indexes.

Rock On: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock ‘n’ Roll . Norm N. Nite. New York : Harper, 1982–1985. 3 vols. For informed description of early rock history, see The Solid Gold Years (vol. 1) and The Years of Change, 1964–1978 (vol. 2) by Nite and Ralph M. Newman.

GENERAL SOURCES

Brown, Charles T. The Rock and Roll Story: From the Sounds of Rebellion to an American Art Form . Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1983. Good analysis of the evolution of rock and roll from its roots in slave chants to the 1980s; contains a brief bibliography and discography.

Gillett, Charlie. The Sound of the City: The Rise of Rock and Roll . 2d ed. New York : Da Capo, 1996. Describes the development of rock and roll as an urban phenomenon descending from doo-wop and rhythm and blues.

Pielke, Robert G. You Say You Want a Revolution: Rock Music in American Culture . (1986). Reprint. Chicago : Nelson-Hall, 1988. Examines the birth of rock and roll as an antiestablishment happening and the first cultural revolution in American society.

Stuessy, Joe, and Scott Lipscomb. Rock and Roll: Its History and Stylistic Development . 3d ed. Upper Saddle River , NJ : Prentice-Hall, 1988. A new edition of this popular historical treatment examining the artistic presentation of rock and roll music. Good analysis of musical structures and harmonies.

Ward, Ed, et al. Rock of Ages: The Rolling Stone History of Rock and Roll . New York : Rolling Stone/Summit Books, 1986. Detailed, popular version of the history and critical artistry of rock and roll beginning with the Sinatra influences of the 1940s and ending with the time of publication.

Wicke, Peter. Rock Music: Culture, Aesthetics, and Sociology . New York : Cambridge University Press, 1990. Concise, serious examination of the place of rock music within contemporary culture; sees it as a product of an industry that has been used by the working class to express itself.

SPECIALIZED SOURCES

Chadwick, Vernon , ed. In Search of Elvis: Music, Race, Art, Religion . Boulder , CO : HarperCollins, 1997. Proceedings of the first annual International Conference on Elvis Presley held in 1995 at the University of Mississippi . Numerous contributors examine the many facets and influences (some of which are personal to the writer) surrounding the impact of Elvis.

Doll, Susan M. Understanding Elvis: Southern Roots vs. Star Image . New York : Garland , 1998. Considers Elvis’s career with respect to his southern roots; examines the early years when his identity shaped the

new music, as well as the later years when he was transformed into a movie star and Las Vegas performer.

Plasketes, George. Images of Elvis Presley in American Culture, 1977–1997: The Mystery Train . New York: Haworth, 1997. A comprehensive and well-documented exposition of the Elvis influence in the United States. Contains a brief bibliography, discography, and even filmography.

Quain, Kevin, ed. The Elvis Reader: Text and Sources on the King of Rock’n’ Roll . New York: St. Martin’s, 1992. Emphasis on the texts and sources relevant to the study of Elvis; includes essays, articles, excerpts, and filmography.

Rodman, Gilbert B. Elvis after Elvis: The Posthumous Career of a Living Legend . New York: Routledge, 1996. An examination of American popular culture and its reluctance to let Elvis die.

Strausbaugh, John. Reflections on the Birth of the Elvis Faith . New York: Blast Books, 1995. Examines Elvis as an article of faith of the American scene complete with religious fervor and worship.

BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES

Gentry, Tony. Elvis Presley . New York: Chelsea House, 1994. Brief, easyto-read biography describing Elvis’s rise from poverty to fame and wealth. Good black and white photographs.

Krohn, Katherine E. Elvis Presley: The King . Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1994. A sixty-four-page biography examining the childhood, career, and legacy of the star. Some photographs.

Moore, Scotty. That’s Alright, Elvis: The Untold Story of Elvis’ First Guitarist and Manager, Scotty Moore . New York: Macmillan, 1998. Rare photographs and interesting text describing the manner in which Elvis transformed popular music.

AUDIOVISUAL SOURCES

Elvis: The Echo That Will Never Die . Orland Park, IL: MPI Home Video, 1986. Videocassette. Various celebrities discuss Elvis and his impact; interesting stories about his rise to fame. 50 minutes.

WORLD WIDE WEB

‘‘Script for January 8, 1997.” Merriam-Webster Word for the Wise . January 1997. http://www.m-w.com/wftw/1897.htm An interesting analysis of the origin of the phrase ‘‘rock and roll” from Merriam-Webster’s two-minute radio show.



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