Elvis

Elvis Presley is regarded as one of the most significant cultural influences of the 20th century. He was breaking boundaries across every category; the way he moved and dressed during the conservative 1950s set the stage for the cultural revolution of the 1960s. Even today, every glittery jumpsuit you see on Beyoncé, Harry Styles or Jennifer Lopez was inspired by the glittery Vegas costumes of Elvis.

His music was a big part of my childhood. My father worshipped him. He and his best friend, John Davis, loved to talk about seeing him live twice, in Auburn and Montgomery, in the 1970s. His poster hung in the half bath of our house, probably the only spot my mother would have allowed it.