Hey folks! I’m preparing for the talk on 1950 tomorrow. It’s part of a music history series, seeking to answer the question Where did Elvis come from? We started with ragtime, went to blues, plugged it in…and now it’s time to talk about 1950. This one requires a humble approach. The audience was there, and I wasn’t. A companion essay is something I like to provide, and writing it helps me organize my thoughts, too. I hope you dig it.
What was in the Water?
Examining 1950
Today, we draw closer to our original question: Where did Elvis Presly come from? (Specifically, his music. Tupelo is merely his birthplace.) We’ve travelled far, visiting the smoky saloons where Ragtime and Jazz emerged, listened to the haunting sounds of the Delta Blues, followed Muddy Waters to Chicago, and studied technological marvels that gave rise to the recording industry and electric guitar. We’ve gained insight into the complex evolution of The American Sound.
Our journey this afternoon is almost a pause, a glance back, a seeing where we are. The year 1950 is something that’s personal. You’ve lived through it. Now we get to examine the Known. It’s also a fine line for me to walk, and therefore I humbly ask for your help. I came along a little bit later, although my father was born that year. The last thing I want to do is stand in front of you and tell you how it was. (As much as I love the fins on a Cadillac or a Telecaster guitar, there are obviously things that no book or magazine can convey.)
This lecture is a look at what was in the water. What was the context of life at the time? What was the “national mood”? What was yours? The era could be viewed thusly: Fresh off a depression and a war, there was finally a moment to prosper. It is in this fertile ground our story today grows. Specifically, we cover three men who had a profound impact on music: Rock ‘n roll icon Chuck Berry, the King, Elvis Presley, and the man who made him such, Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records. Their stories are nested in the larger cultural story that you were part of, too. What clothes were you wearing? What music was on your radio? What were you doing? How did you wear your hair? I do hope we can discuss. Let’s draw up a picture together. And, should you have something to add after the fact, I always love to connect. My number is ———-, and email is JoshUrban@protonmail.com
Enjoy!
Josh