Rock and Roll

Elvis Presley

• He got his start in 1954 when he recorded a song with Sam Phillips.
• His energetic personality, effortless style, and his mix of influences across races in the time of the Civil Rights Movement gave him a certain appeal to American teens.
• Heartbreak Hotel, Love Me Tender, Can’t Help Falling In Love, Kentucky Rain, and An American Trilogy were some of his most popular songs.

Buddy Holly

• After opening up for Elvis 3 times in 1955, he decided to pursue his music career. During this time, his music style changed from country to rock and roll.
• His biggest hits include Peggy Sue, Oh Boy!, and That’ll Be The Day.
• February 3rd, 1959 is known as The Day The Music Died. This is the day that musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson all died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

Chuck Berry

• He began performing with the Johnnie Johnson Trio. His big break came when he met Muddy Waters and was introduced to Leonard Chess of Chess Records.
• His biggest hits include No Particular Place To Go, Maybellene, Roll Over Beethoven, and Johnny B. Goode.
• Berry is noted for playing the guitar, and he popularized the “duckwalk” style of performing with the guitar that many artists still use.