A lot of people seem to think I started this business but rock n roll was here a long time before I came along. “I never said anything like that, and people who know me know that I wouldn’t have said it. In the interview, Elvis firmly denied the allegations and instead acknowledged the influence of black artists and music on his songs, saying: The one and only persistent tale of Elvis Presley being racist stems from a rumor that he allegedly said ‘the only thing black people can do for me is shine my shoes and buy my records’ during an appearance in Boston.Īlthough there was no evidence of the Boston incident, the story gained much notoriety (and still does today) to such an extent that reporter Louie Robinson of Jet magazine, a popular magazine in the black community, confronted Elvis about the infamous remark in 1957. But how far is that true? Throughout his career, there is no evidence of Elvis Presley making a racist remark Not to mention, accounts of supposed racist behavior from Elvis during his heydays have resurfaced again. Some hail him for opening the door for black musicians while others condemn him for profiting off of their music. However, there has always been controversy around the subject of Elvis’ musical influences, that of cultural appropriation and exploitation. He grew up listening to black artists in the predominantly black neighborhood of Tupelo, Mississippi, and drew inspiration from pioneering musicians such as Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, DJ Rufus Thomas, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. It is no secret that Elvis Presley’s sound and style were heavily influenced by black music mainly gospel, blues, and rockabilly.
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