Unit 7 Western Culture
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Pop Star
1 Elvis Presley (1935-1977),American singer and actor was one of the most popular singers of the 20th century.
2 Presley is known as an early pioneer of rock music and is considered by many to be the greatest rock singer.
3 Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. Following high school, Presley worked as a truck driver. In 1953,while recording some songs as a birthday gift for his mother at a studio in Memphis, Tennessee, Pressly impressed a record producer with his unique vocal style, demonstrating both outstanding range and influences of black American Music.The record producer had been searching for a“white man with the black sound and the black feel.”So,he began to record Elvis’songs.At the age of 21, Presley recorded his first songs for a major record company, the Radio Corporation of America(RCA). In 1956, the 21-year old Presley was a sensation with his rock’n’roll song“Heartbreak Hotel.”It was the first of four records in a row that sold over a million copies each.
4 From 1956 to 1958,Presley starred in four motion pictures.His songs in the films Love Me Tender,(1956) and Loving You(1957) soon became popular.After serving in the US army from 1958 to 1960, Presley appeared in numerous musical films,including Blue Hawaii(1956).
5 Presley continued to perform during the 1970s despite failing health and long-term drug taking.His death is still a subject of argument.He is officially said to have died of heart failure, which is a likely result of Presley's overuse of drugs.Presley is buried in Memphis.His former residence continues to attract fans and is a major tourist site.
Known as the King of Western Bop and the Hillbilly Cat, Presley combined sounds of country music with black music to create a new rock-and-roll style.His unprecedented,electrically-charged performances helped to make Presley one of the first mass idols of American popular culture.He inspired many music artists.
In his lifetime Elvis starred in 33 successful films, made history with his television appearances,and enjoyed fame through his many live concert performances. Worldwide he has sold over one billion records.His American sales have earned him gold and platinum awards for 131 different albums and singles, far more than any other artist.
6 Elvis Presley's talent,good looks,charm and good humour were loved by millions of people.So was the human kindness he showed throughout his life.Known the world over by his first name“Elvis”, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture.
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流行歌星
1艾尔维斯•普莱斯利(1935—1977 )是美国歌星及演员，他是20世纪最受欢迎的歌星之一。普莱斯利被认为是早期的摇滚先驱，并被许多人认为是最伟大的摇滚歌手。
2艾尔维斯•普莱斯利出生于密西西比的托皮洛市。中学毕业，普莱斯利做卡车司机工作。1953年，在田纳西州孟菲斯市一家录音公司录唱准备作为生日礼物献给母亲的歌曲时，普莱斯利以他独特的发声风格，展示了非凡的音域以及美洲黑人音乐的影响，给一个唱片制作人留下了印象。这个唱片制作人一直在寻找一个“具有黑人嗓音和黑人感觉的白人。”于是，他开始录制艾尔维斯的歌曲。21岁那年，普莱斯利为一家大录音公司——美国广播公司录制了他的第一张唱片。1956年，21岁的普莱斯利以其摇滚歌曲“伤心旅馆”引起麦动。这是连续有14张、每张销量都超过一百万张的唱片中的第一张。
3从1956年到1958年，普莱斯利主演了四部电影。他的电影插曲“温柔爱我”（1956年）和“爱你”（1957年）很快就流行开来。1958年到1960年，普莱斯利在美国陆军服役，之后他出演了许多音乐影片，包括“蓝色夏威夷”（1956）。
4七十年代，普莱斯利继续演出，尽管他健康不佳并长期吸毒。他的死至今仍是个有争议的话题。他被宣布死于心力衰竭，很可能是他过度吸毒的结果。普莱斯利被葬于孟菲斯。他的居住地继续吸引着他的歌迷并且是一处重要的旅游点。
普莱斯利被人称为西部博普之王和山野之猫，他将乡村音乐和黑人音乐结合，创造了一种新型摇滚音乐风格。他那史无前例的、带电声乐队的表演使他成为美国一流流行文化的大众偶像之一。他激励了许多音乐艺术家。
5艾尔维斯一生中主演了33部成功的电影，用他的电视形象创造了历史，并通过许多现场直播音乐会的表演享有名声。在全世界他销售了10亿张唱片。他在美国销售了131种专集和各种单曲唱片，大大超过其他艺术家，为此他赢得了金唱片奖和白金唱片奖。
6艾尔维斯•普莱斯利的音乐天才、英俊外表、人格魅力和幽默感以及他一生所展示的人性的善良受到无数人的热爱。他以“猫王”这个名字闻名于世，是公认的20世纪流行文化的最重要人物之一。
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