Often referred to as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley challenged expectations of the 1950s, transforming the musical landscape to such a degree that his impact is still being felt to this day.

The 1950s brings to mind poodle skirts, sock hops, and drive-in movies. I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, and Leave It to Beaver were popular television shows, and Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts. Elvis Presley’s music will seemingly never dwindle in popularity.

The 1950s saw rock music explode on a global scale. The genre was just starting to take shape, and artists were figuring out where they fit in those confines. While many simply followed the leader, ...