Prior to taking this class I have listened to many Elvis Presley songs, but I did not know much information about him and his career as a rock artist. A hit that was most famous was called Heartbreak Hotel which was aired in 1956, and this hit was inspired by suicide in his local newspaper. Even though Elvis was the king of Rock and Roll he began to fade out when the Rolling Stones and Beatles became popular. He was able to get himself back on top by releasing a television show in 1968. The most interesting song he released in the 1950’s was Jailhouse Rock. I found this most interesting because he did not even compose it, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller did. Jailhouse Rock was also a very different kind of beat and genre of rock music that was released during this time period.
Jerry Leiber (lyrics) and Mike Stoller (music) - a model for the tune craft of the Brill Building songwriters - wrote a number of big hits in the 1950s including "Hound Dog," also covered by Elvis. Interestingly, Stoller is alive and well at 85.
ReplyDeleteJailhouse Rock is a common song at least in my house. My father is a huge fan of Elvis. I think the song is unique and tells an interesting story of jail when we all know this is not true. It is definitely one of my favorite Elvis songs.
ReplyDeleteI have also listened to Elvis prior to this class and I have always been a big fan. I find it fascinating that he was able to express a local suicide and get his message across so well to the media at the time.
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