Welcome back to a new edition of Musical Disclosure. The upcoming articles are dedicated to a true legend in the history of music—an artist who shaped the sound of an era and influenced countless musicians from the 1950s to the present day: the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley.
Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935, Elvis Aaron Presley developed a close bond with his father Vernon and his mother Gladys from an early age. The family's financial situation was rather precarious, but Elvis found his way into music through the local church, the Assembly of God, where he took his first musical steps inspired by gospel tunes. For his eighth birthday, he was given a guitar and began strumming melodies he had heard during family gatherings. In 1948, in search of better job opportunities, the Presleys moved to Memphis, Tennessee. The young Elvis stood out for his flamboyant clothing and unusual quiff, traits that, combined with his introverted nature and an almost obsessive attachment to his mother, made it hard for him to fit in with his peers. He was often the target of bullying. But what truly set Elvis apart was his relationship with the African American community. His constant exposure to Black culture helped him develop a deeply rooted anti-racist outlook from a young age—one that would later translate musically into a groundbreaking fusion of traditionally "white" country and "black" rhythm and blues.
By the time he graduated in 1953, Elvis was already set on a career in music. While working as a truck driver to support his family, he noticed a small recording studio called Sun Studios, where he decided to record a song as a birthday gift for his mother. The studio's owner, Sam Phillips, was immediately struck by Elvis’s voice and brought in two seasoned musicians—guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black—for a few recording sessions. What emerged was a bold reimagining of an old country song by Arthur Crudup, That’s All Right Mama, which Phillips decided to release in July that same year. The cover was a smash hit among American youth, who were captivated by the infectious rhythm and Elvis’s distinctive voice. He had already become a pioneer of rockabilly, a revolutionary uptempo blend of country and rhythm and blues. During his early live performances, Elvis proved to be an exceptional frontman, sending female audiences into a frenzy with his provocative dance moves—earning him the nickname "Elvis the Pelvis."
His subsequent singles—rock 'n' roll reinterpretations of Good Rockin’ Tonight, Mystery Train, and Baby Let’s Play House—quickly climbed both the country and rhythm and blues charts, further fuelling his growing fame. Given that Sun Records was too small to support the rise of such a star, it eventually sold his contract to the nationally recognised RCA Victor. Elvis was also taken under the wing of Thomas Andrew Parker, known as "Colonel Parker", who would go on to manage his career for decades. In 1956, RCA released Heartbreak Hotel/I Was the One, which shot to the top of the charts following Elvis’s first national television appearance. His provocative dance style, however, did not go unnoticed by conservative sectors of 1950s American society, which labelled him a dangerous influence on white youth. That same March, his self-titled debut album Elvis Presley was released, featuring unforgettable tracks like Blue Suede Shoes, Tutti Frutti, and I Got a Woman (originally by Carl Perkins, Little Richard, and Ray Charles, respectively), which Elvis transformed into electrifying rock 'n' roll anthems by swapping piano for guitar. Softer tracks such as Blue Moon and I’ll Never Let You Go revealed a more tender side of Elvis, one that would become more prominent in his later albums. And of course, no tribute would be complete without mentioning the phenomenal success of Hound Dog—not included on the debut album but soon added to his live shows after its release.
We’ll leave you today with this great classic from the King himself—a track that set teenage hearts ablaze with its electrifying energy.
