Before we get into all of that, let's review some actual history of the world-changing show. Ed Sullivan had already been burned by rock before, and he did not want to even bring Elvis on the show. And after all, $5,000 was a lot of money to invite this kind of controversy.
But Sullivan finally gave in. After all, Elvis fever was sweeping the country, and he would be a fool not to have such a popular act on his show. So he agreed to bring him on the show three times for the unprecedented sum of $50,000!
Elvis's first appearance was actually not the big one according to history. Ed Sullivan was recovering from a head-on collision and so Charles Laughton filled in for the host. Elvis was in Hollywood filming his first movie. He sang Don't Be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Hound Dog, and Ready Teddy. It was on this show that "Elvis censorship" began--only showing him from the waist up when he began dancing.
I have heard people blame the change in this country's music solely on Elvis Presley. I think that is unfounded. First of all, Elvis was actually and R & B singer. He did not sing hard rock. Secondly, his dance moves were extremely tame compared to what happened a few years ago. Third, girls have been screaming and fainting over musicians for ages. If you don't believe me, look up Franz Liszt. He was an 1800's pianist that drove women wild. And finally, music was changing long before Elvis came along. I pride myself on being somewhat of a music historian, and "lusty" music that appeals to man's baser instincts has been around for ages. Check out Roman, Greek, Renaissance--and the list goes on and on! So let's stop blaming all our problems on Elvis. I actually have been in a church when a "revival preacher" said this from the pulpit. No wonder Christians get a bad name!
Read more about that show here.
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