THE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSICIANS OF ALL TIME

7 The 100 Most Influential Musicians of All Time 7

Southern following for his recordings, his live appearances
in regional roadhouses and clubs, and his radio performances
on the nationally aired Louisiana Hayride. (A key musical
change came when drummer D.J. Fontana was added, fi rst
for the Hayride shows but also on records beginning with
“Mystery Train.”)
Presley’s management was then turned over to Colonel
Tom Parker , a country music hustler who had made stars
of Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow. Parker arranged for
Presley’s song catalog and recording contract to be sold to
major New York City-based enterprises, Hill and Range
and RCA Victor , respectively. Sun received a total of
$35,000; Elvis got $5,000. He began recording at RCA’s
studios in Nashville, Tennessee, with a somewhat larger
group of musicians but
still including Moore,
Black, and Fontana and
began to create a national
sensation with a series of
hits: “Heart break Hotel,”
“Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love
Me Tender” (all 1956),
“All Shook Up” (1957),
and more.
From 1956 through
1958 Presley completely
dominated the best-seller
charts and ushered in the
age of rock and roll , open-
ing doors for both white
and black rock artists.
His television appear-
ances, especially those on
Ed Sullivan ’s Sunday
night variety show, set

Legendary American popular singer

Elvis Presley poses for a portrait in

the 1950s. Getty Images