with an appreciation of Elvis Presley
He is the single most important artist in the history of rock and roll. More than that he is a cultural phenomenon of the last half of the 20th century. His synthesis of rhythm and blues and country and western introduced a rich and large field of music to millions and inspired a generation of stars. He was the figurehead of a commercially important youth culture unlike any the western world had previously seen. The quality and power of his records was diluted after he returned from the army but he was still capable of the occasional classic and his early work remains among the very best in popular music,'