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About this quote

What does it mean?
This credits Elvis Presley with popularizing rock and roll so fundamentally that prior music felt nonexistent.
In plain terms
Elvis made rock and roll famous so it feels like nothing came before.
What can you take from it?
Great innovators reshape history.

Where it applies

  • praising artists
  • discussing history
  • tracing genres

Putting it to work

  • study pioneers
  • respect innovation
  • trace roots

Questions to consider

  • Who started it all?
  • Does one person make the genre?

Another view

Many artists laid the groundwork before Elvis.

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