What if?

[devonash]

I have been thinking about Elvis and how amazing his contribution to our lives has been. The way he affected the path of rock music, the way he affected sexuality. The way he affected Pop culture in general. I am curious what you think the world would be like today if he hadn't exisited at all? Where would music be? what about fashion? There are so many areas of our lives... think about it.

[Wendy56]

Without Elvis... nothing. Music, fashion, culture would be so different... well, I don't really know how this world would be without the influence of the king. But at least, I can say that my life would be so empty... can't figure what could I do or what wuold I be without the light of my life: Elvis, I just love him so much.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Without Elvis, popular culture would certainly be less colourful! Elvis was unique in that he affected many different aspects of how people dressed and acted.

It was Elvis who gave Rock 'N' Roll the white face that was accepted by the youth of America, Rock 'N' Roll would still have been around and mutated with or without Elvis! Elvis influenced the way people dressed, hair styles etc but lets not forget Elvis was influenced in many ways by the Icons of his time e.g. Tony Curtis, James Dean and the mean and moody rebel without a cause generation that was already taking place.

It was Elvis' unique ability to tap into this genre and the ability to lead at the forefront and make it his own, films like Jailhouse Rock and king Creole help to cement this Image like no other era. the years 1956-60 are probably the most influential in regards to Iconic symbolism.

This 50's era is harked back to by Americans as a watershed, a time of Innocence before the 60's and a realisation that the world was not a safe haven any longer thanks to the likes of Vietnam, Watergate, Racial Tension and international affairs being beamed live throught their T.V. screens.

As Elvis entered the 60's the raw ability and wild ways had been tempered by a realism, that to be in it for the long haul things would have to change and the more personable Image, one for all the family would take centre stage, the movie era accomplished this but took its toll on a talent that needed to be free from mediocrity and the constraints the silver screen imposed.

The solution was simple as it was effective, the 68 Special had two ingredients that made it a hit 1. Elvis' phenomenal talent 2. The publics pshychi had been taken back to a time where things had been simpler and reminded them that Elvis was still a part of their lives and could still contribute.

As good as the 68 Special was, for me 1969 was the pheonix from the flames, the rebirth of the King of Rock 'N' Roll, if you hear any music from August 1969 from the live shows you will know what I mean, pure magic with energy and pace second only to the 50's.

The 1970's have many milestones, That's The way It Is, Madison Square Gardens, Elvis On Tour & Aloha From Hawaii to get the ball rolling. The stage show of the 70's became formulaic and this IMO was it's strength, and it's weakness to some degree. The fans demanded the classics and responded badly to new material, all of which ultimately did not test Elvis as much as he would have liked.

Elvis lead the way throughout his career from the way he recorded records to his unique and flamboyant dress style both on and of stage. The world certainly needed Elvis and would have been the poorer without him.

Anyway, just a few musings to get the ball rolling.

Matt

[Lonniebealestreet]

I think you did more than get the ball rolling there, Matt. :)

[Fire_Eyes]

Well, to sum it up in a sentance, if Elvis never existed, I would be an extremely bored girl right about now.