answersLogoWhite

0

Elvis didn't actually start Rock and Roll- he only publicized it. Rock and Roll would have been around much earlier if it wasn't for the 'racism' thing they had going on. Rock and roll started back going into the 17/ 18th Century when composers and musicians such as Scott Joplin (who originated from Africa) started writing unusual 'rag-time' pieces for the piano. Then, this music was sent around the world, people began to add their own influences- you had gospel, hillbilly/ rhythm and blues, folk, boogie woogie, jazz, there were many others too. Elvis was signed by Sun Records, and couldn't actually write music or lyrics at all- this is stated in a book which I have called 'Elvis Presley' Unseen Archives. Elvis was singing covers by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Acuff, and Ted Daffan, all of whom were country and western. Elvis mainly started Rock and Roll by singing really old folk or blues songs and then he kind of 'upped' the pace, added a few extra chords, and ofcourse, used his amazing voice, hence the public from both sides liked this and were soon phoning up the radio and asking who this singer was, and that, my friends, is how Elvis, 'publicised' Rock and Roll. By Gabrielle E.Overton. 12.8.09

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?