Bibek Acharya
It’s very easy to discuss all the reasons why Elvis Presley became so revolutionary. After all, he changed the game for rock ‘n’ roll in unimaginable ways, setting the standard for a new kind of energy and talent in the space. However, what’s perhaps more overlooked is how Presley evolved artistically through different decades and varying trends and sounds.
When we discuss Presley today, it’s often through the lens of his obvious cultural impact and unique expression. After all, it doesn’t take a loyal fan to recognise how deeply his mannerisms have become ingrained in modern culture, from his appearance to the tone of his voice. Countless biopics have attempted to capture this impact with varying success.
While it would be intriguing to analyse the different ways Presley evolved through the decades beyond his rockabilly roots, what perhaps emphasises this more is how his teams changed through the years and what this said about his approach to art. After all, Presley moved fast, and anyone around him either had to keep up with his meticulous shifts or step away entirely.
In the beginning, Presley worked with The Blue Moon Boys, which comprised Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and later D.J. Fontana, each working alongside the musician to develop his sound as it transitioned from community spaces to more mainstream appeal, shaping the explosive nature of his stage persona while complementing his blend of different genres, including country and rhythm and blues.
So, why did Elvis change to the TCB Band?
However, as Presley’s artistry evolved alongside his budding movie career, the singer began enlisting different session musicians to service his changing sound, moving away from his roots to create something far more fundamentally timeless in essence. This eventually led to him working with the TCB Band through his first meeting with James Burton, a session musician who eventually formed the group with Larry Muhoberac, Jerry Scheff, and John Wilkinson.
While this was a natural course of action with the evolving nature of the music business and Presley’s various moves during this time, one of the main reasons he joined forces with another newly formed sessions group was that the members of The Blue Moon Boys after its original members began to disperse. Fontana, for instance, returned to other session work, while Black had moved on to form the Bill Black Combo.
However, this shift barely hindered Presley’s own reputation or legacy, and the TCB Band brought a breath of fresh air to his artistry, keeping him relevant to the times while supporting him throughout his famous Las Vegas residencies and other performances. By pushing the inclusion of modern sounds and techniques, the band ensured Presley’s relevance up until his death in 1977.
