The sounds that changed society…

1. The sounds that changed society… By: Tate Slaven

2. J.R. Cash • J.R. Cash – also known as Johnny Cash– was born on February 26, 1932 • Life was altered when his older brother was tragically killed when working in a saw mill • Enlisted in the United States Air Force • When he returned he signed with Sun Records 0

3. Married Vivian Liberto and had four children; • Due to drug and alcohol abuse, constant touring, and numerous affairs (including future wife June Carter) the couple went through an ugly divorce • Due to these drug and alcohol problems John picked up an “Outlaw Image” • No one said anything to John about his addictions because he was still producing hits • Although “Ring of Fire” was written previously by June Carter; he said his version came to him in a dream he had once…

4. June Carter Cash • Born as Valerie June Carter on June 23, 1929 • Married 3 times and had a child with each man; • Late husband was John Cash • Although she wasn’t as talented as her sister when she sang, June had a better character and was also more rounded; • She was a singer, songwriter, actress, comedienne, author, and could also play many instruments

5. Johnny and June met when they were traveling on the road in the same show circuit • June traveled with John, Elvis, and Jerry Lee and they became a “family” so to say • June was called “the angel” because she didn’t believe in drugs and alcohol as did the three she was traveling with; she wouldn’t allow everything around her pull her into the black hole the guys had already been pulled into…

6. Jerry Lee Lewis • Born September 29, 1935 • Married three time; he ended up marrying his 2nd wife 23 days to early because his divorce papers weren’t finalized yet from his 1st marriage; then from getting information on this scandal people found out about Lewis’ 3rd wife which was his first cousin once removed • This scandal ruined what he had started in the music industry

7. Jerry Lee went from playing $10,000 concerts to $250 concerts and hit sent him in a downward spiral • He too became a drug and alcohol addict • He totally quit recording; but then Sun Records “remodeled” and that is where Jerry Lee ran into Elvis and Johnny Cash • Jerry Lee then changed his whole image to a more country-influence way – with help from the drugs and alcohol…

8. Elvis Presley • Born January 8, 1935 • Married Priscilla • Early influence in music was from his family’s faithful attendance at church • Later became the “sex symbol” • In 1956 he had a break through; which led to hits like “Heart Break Hotel”

9. People weren’t ready for Elvis because he had changed so drastically; • He was so badly critiqued his tour was cut short 4 weeks; set him on a downward spiral right towards the drugs and alcohol also...

10. the change begins… • Somehow each of these people found each other… • They became a “traveling family” and somehow each of them, minus June, found drugs and alcohol as a key part to their performances— • That’s the thing– it seemed as though their actions were what made them as popular and successful as they were; • The hits kept coming and people kept falling more in love with them…

11. this is what proved – it wasn’t their songs that influence the American Society … ….it was their ways of life;