Elvis Presley

When one approaches the music of Elvis Presley, the first thing that stands out is that raw energy and a way of performing that broke molds. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was 13 years old. There, in 1954, he began his musical journey at Sun Records. Producer Sam Phillips was looking to bring the sound of African-American music to a wider audience, and he found in Elvis a perfect voice and presence for that mission. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Elvis was one of the pioneers of *rockabilly*, that fast-paced rhythm that fused *country* with *rhythm and blues*. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the quartet that would define his initial sound.

The year 1956 was a turning point. RCA Victor acquired his contract, a move orchestrated by Colonel Tom Parker, who would represent him for the rest of his career. The first single for this label, Heartbreak Hotel, released in January, became a resounding success, reaching the top of the charts. In the span of a year, RCA Victor sold ten million Elvis singles. His television appearances and his chart-topping records catapulted him as the central figure of the emerging *rock and roll*. However, his performance style, charged with a sensuality that made some uncomfortable, and his ability to give visibility to sounds associated with African Americans, generated both admiration and controversy. That same year, in November, he made his film debut with the movie Love Me Tender.