Elvis Presley is a music industry and pop culture icon who is widely credited with popularizing rock and roll. His signature swag and hip-shaking earned him a reputation as a sexy performer, though not everyone was a fan. In 1956, he released two of his earliest hits, “Love Me Tender” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” which quickly became popular.
In 1957, he released the song “Jailhouse Rock,” which became an instant hit and was accompanied by a successful film that featured a highly choreographed dance scene showcasing Elvis’s famous hip movements. After seven years of focusing on his acting career, Elvis made a comeback in 1968 with a television special titled simply Elvis. His rendition of “Jailhouse Rock” during this performance was particularly intense and marked his return to performing live.
The NBC special was a huge success and marked a turning point in Elvis’s career, as he shifted his focus back to performing for audiences. The special included a now-iconic photo of Elvis wearing a black leather outfit on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in 1969. While “Jailhouse Rock” was a popular song that other musicians, including the Beatles, had covered, there is no one who could sing it like Elvis. His unique style and charisma made him an enduring icon of popular music, and his impact on the industry is still felt today.
Watch him performing live below:
