Elvis Presley

His blend of country, pop, and R&B became the cornerstone of rock & roll.

Biography

Elvis Presley may be the single most important figure in American 20th century popular music. Not necessarily the best, and certainly not the most consistent. But no one could argue with the fact he was the musician most responsible for popularizing rock & roll on an international level. His 1950s recordings established the basic language of rock & roll; his explosive and sexual stage presence set standards for the music's visual image; his vocals were incredibly powerful and versatile. Unfortunately, by the time of his death, to much of the public he'd become more a symbol of gross Americana than of cultural innovation. ~ Richie Unterberger