1955 Songs: Don't Be Cruel

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Why go back 70 years to celebrate my birthday when I wasn't even born yet? Because of this. Rock and roll, and really all of popular music changed in 1956...primarily because of this guy. So, with apologies to those of you who were never into this guy, here he is. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley Love him or hate him, or be totally indifferent to him, Elvis Presley is the reason we have Marilyn Manson today. Dang, Elvis, what did you do? While rock and roll was projected as "evil," "rebellious," and "the devil's music," Elvis was humble, a little (probably a LOT) overwhelmed by the mania, and stayed true to his Christian roots. (His only two Grammy awards came for his gospel albums.) This sounds so "lame" today played next to things that are on the radio today (and videos that are far more suggestive than Elvis' hip shaking ever thought of being), but we wouldn't have today without the explosion caused by the success of that truck driver from Tupelo 70 years ago. Don't Be Cruel Written by Otis Blackwell Recorded by Elvis Presley Released as a single, 1956 Let's walk up to the preacher: