Elvis Presley is one of the biggest names in rock and roll. Singer, musician and actor, he was an American icon. He is best known as the king of rock and roll. His musical influence included the country and pop music of the era, the gospel music he sang in church, and the black R&B music he listened to as a teenager (Comprehensive History of Elvis Presley's Dynamic Life). Elvis influenced American culture not only during his lifetime, but also in today's 21st century. It was not easy for him to be accepted; in fact, many adults and older generations of his era were appalled by his performances and music. But with time, people were able to accept him and he became known all over the world. Even after his death, Americans are still influenced by his music. Presley had some of the most unforgettable and unpredictable singles of the 1950s and 60s (Comprehensive History of Elvis Presley's Dynamic Life). According to the New York Times article "25 Years Later, Elvis Rolls On", written by Jon Pareles (2002), Elvis didn't invent rock and roll, but he made the music great than nature. He sparked rock n roll's conquest of popular culture, expanding its vision of country and blues, pop and gospel with star presence and a surge of sexuality (Pareles, 2002). On January 8, 1935, Elvis Aron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. to Vernon and Gladys Presley. He later changed the spelling of his middle name to Aaron using the biblical form (biography.com). According to the article Elvis Aron Presley found in Academic OneFile, his twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, died shortly after his birth and Elvis grew up to be an only child. Presley grew up surrounded by gospel music from the Pentecostal church (Rock and Rol...... middle of paper ......th century popular culture (Comprehensive History of Elvis Presley's Dynamic Life). References Elvis Presley. ( 2011). Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/elvis-presley-9446466Elvis Presley Biography: Elvis Australia (January 8, 2004). /biography.elvis.com.au/Pareles, J. (2002, August 16), Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.comPresley, Elvis Aaron (1998). from Academic OneFileRock and Roll Hall of Fame (nd). Retrieved from http://rockhall.com/inductees/elvis-presley/bio/Sewlall, H., music, text: Elvis Presley as a postmodern semiotic construction. Retrieved from Academic OneFile..