Elvis Presely performing "Baby I Don't Care" |
With the rise of Elvis Presley came the widening schism between the teenagers and their parents (Music Played in the 1950s Popular Music from the 50's). Teens wanted something that would set them apart from the conformity and idealistic expectations pressed on them by adults--Elvis was the answer to their plea (Powers). What made him so appealing to teens in the 1950s? Was it his dashing appearance that made girls swoon with every note he sang? Or was it perhaps his distinctive voice, characterized by his deep, vibrato?
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The fact of the matter is: Elvis defied the social norms. For example, on the Milton Berle Show in 1956, his erotic hip movements left many parents horrified. How could he get away with these sexual gestures on television? Despite this controversial performance, teens of the 1950s embraced Elvis, deeming him the “King of Rock N’ Roll” (Music Played in the 1950s Popular Music from the 50's). |
Elvis on the Milton Berle Show |
Elvis challenged societal and racial boundaries through his music during his time, much like many artists do today(Music Played in the 1950's Popular Music from the 50's). First, there was Lady Gaga. Dressing in bizarre outfits (some of which could hardly be called clothes at all) that no one had ever seen before, astounding her audiences with her different style and pizazz, becoming more peculiar and intriguing with every performance—she became the center of attention and changed pop culture forever. The music industry since then has become a competition: who can make the strangest and most sexual performances in order to be catapulted to the top of the music charts? So far, Miley Cyrus seems to be in the lead. After exhibiting a very “scandalous” performance at the VMA’s in which she wore (or did not wear for that matter) scanty clothing, provocatively slid her tongue around her face, and “twerked” with Robin Thicke, America experienced what could be called a “culture shock.”