Presley himself never claimed to have invented rock 'n' roll. He always talked about how much he was influenced by black gospel music and the blues, which he listened to on the radio growing up in Tupelo, Miss. His absorption of these black influences is what allowed him to have a black feel to his music when he entered the Sun Records recording studio 50 years ago.
In his remarkable biography of Mr. Presley, Peter Guralnick described some of the rhythm and blues 78 records that the young Elvis had owned, and once brought into a recording studio to transfer onto tape.
These records, purchased by the young Elvis, included "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" by Lloyd Price. And Big Mama Thornton's version of "Hound Dog," made three years before Elvis recorded his version. Mr. Guralnick also listed singles by Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner, and Ivory Joe Hunter as Elvis possessions.
These are the black artists who preceded Elvis, influenced him, and contributed to the creation of what we now call rock 'n' roll but was then called R&B, or race music.
My mom always yells TURN IT DOWN! And my dad used to say current songs have no meaning because he likes classic rock, but I think I got him addicted, he switched the station in the car to a top 40 station and he even jams out to some of the songs
but I've converted my sister & niece into liking pop, but I listen to everything.