Life Story of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley's Musical Journey: From "Hound Dog" to "Don't Be Cruel"
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, made a significant impact on the music industry with his unique style and a series of iconic hits. One such hit was "Hound Dog," a rock 'n' roll interpretation of a bluesy original by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, penned by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952. Elvis recorded "Hound Dog" in July 1956, and it became one of his signature singles [1][3].
The inspiration for Elvis to record "Hound Dog" came from a comedic version of the song performed by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys. The recording session was a memorable one, with D.J. Fontana using Elvis' leather-covered guitar as a makeshift drum to capture a snare effect during the recording of "Don't Be Cruel," which was released as the B-side [4].
"Don't Be Cruel" was a relatively new tune, not associated with any singer's specific style, allowing Elvis to make it entirely his own. The single, backed by "Hound Dog," became the biggest two-sided hit in history, spending 11 weeks at No. 1 [2]. By March 1992, the "Hound Dog"/"Don't Be Cruel" single had been awarded triple platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) [6].
The success of "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" was not just a result of Elvis's talent but also the deals he made with music publisher Hill and Range. These deals, arranged by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, resulted in the creation of two new music publishing companies: Elvis Presley Music and Gladys Music [5].
Under this arrangement, Hill and Range received half the income generated by Elvis Presley Music and Gladys Music, giving them control over the songs used in his career, especially for his movie soundtracks. This meant that songwriters who wanted Presley to record their songs had to give up one-third of their royalties, making Hill and Range the gatekeeper of his repertoire [1][5].
This arrangement impacted the style and diversity of songs Presley recorded, especially during his 1960s movies, where Hill and Range provided most songs, somewhat limiting Elvis’s artistic choices and shaping his musical output towards commercially driven, formulaic material [5].
However, the Hill and Range deal did not hinder Elvis's commercial success. After Parker bought Presley's Sun contract for $40,000, Presley returned to a broader musical style, blending rock and roll, pop, blues, and the "Nashville sound" with production from Chet Atkins, showing more sophisticated and diverse influences in albums like Elvis Is Back! (1960) [1].
A vital part of Elvis Presley's transformation into a rock 'n' roll singer occurred due to the media's construction of his image, particularly after his controversial appearances on television. These appearances, including his three controversial guest spots on The Ed Sullivan Show, contributed to his rebellious persona and solidified his status as the King of Rock 'n' Roll [1].
References:
- Elvis Presley's Sun Records Sessions
- Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel"
- The Songwriting of "Hound Dog"
- The Recording of "Don't Be Cruel"
- The Hill and Range Deal
- RIAA Certifications for Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley's unique style influenced the pop-culture landscape, as his recordings like "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" reshaped music predominantly in the realm of rock 'n' roll. The success of these hits, especially "Hound Dog," opened doors for new deals with music publishers like Hill and Range, shaping Presley's repertoire and cementing his place as a cultural icon in the entertainment world.
