His chiseled features, melancholic eyes, natural charisma and intrinsic talent live on in vinyl shelves, vintage collectibles, bedroom walls, Memphis murals, Vegas tributes and unforgettable ballads that remain classic to this day. Elvis Presley, a household name for eternity and beyond, has a legacy that continues to influence generations of music and style to this day.
By now, many people are accustomed to the complex layers of artists’ sound, style and aesthetics. It may be unrecognizable at first, but artists like Lady Gaga and Britney Spears have something in common with “The King of Rock ’n Roll,” the element of surprise. Whether it’s wearing a meat dress, using a live python on stage as a prop or just hip thrusting, Presley was one of the first ever to indoctrinate society with new forms of creativity and self-expression.
At the start of his career in the ‘50s, Presley’s bad boy persona and disruptive stage presence immediately stirred controversy among the masses. Known as “Elvis the Pelvis,” he radicalized music and challenged societal norms with his gyrating hips and sexual expression.
Presley was even known for kissing his fans after his performances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Delivering shock to audiences was like second nature to Presley – even if it was unintentional.
Although originally seen as provocative, Presley’s bold energy and appearance set a precedent for future artists to express themselves creatively through music and performance. Iconic music legends Jim Morrison, David Bowie, Elton John, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart were all inspired by Presley before kickstarting their careers.
Despite his success, Presley always highlighted the talent that inspired him as an artist. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard and B.B. King were the African American masterminds behind Presley’s craft.
One of the controversies still circulating is whether Presley properly attributed these artists during his time of fame, since he was profiting from Black culture as his whiteness put him on a pedestal in the music business. Nonetheless, Presley falls into a puzzling gray area when it comes to celebrating Black culture and talent.
Presley’s voice is recognizable everywhere, but he was experimental and fluid with the genres of music he dabbled in. “Jailhouse Rock” and “Burning Love” are the lively, fast-paced hits that dubbed him the title, “The King of Rock’ n Roll,” but “Love Me Tender” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” are the gentle tunes that reveal Presley’s dreamy, romantic side.
Similar to “The King,” current musicians like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift don’t pigeonhole themselves into one genre of music. Exploring different sounds and genres is simply a part of the creative process, and artists will continue to adopt this framework with the ever-changing landscape of the music industry.
Creative freedom through music was just the beginning – Presley’s unique style and fashion were also vital to his success and influenced many others to embrace their personality through fashion.
There was nothing casual about Presley’s fashion sense. Glittering jumpsuits, bedazzled collars, vibrant capes and outrageous belts were all a part of Presley’s exorbitant wardrobe. His personal style pulled the world away from the traditional suit and tie and even tested standard gender norms in fashion.
Now more than ever, the world embraces androgyny within fashion and style. Harry Styles, Benson Boone, Timothée Chalamet and several other prominent men in the entertainment industry have shown off their personal style through bold colors and different ensembles that challenge society’s inherent gender roles.
Directly or indirectly, every creator who came after Elvis Presley has been influenced by him in some way. A catalyst for culture, fashion, music and performance, Presley meant much more to people than just his music. His legacy continues to inspire generations, and he’ll forever be the savior of embracing self-expression and radical creativity through entertainment.
“Before Elvis, there was nothing.” – John Lennon
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