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K-State Today

Division of Communications and Marketing
Kansas State University
128 Dole Hall
1525 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-2535
vpcm@k-state.edu

March 10, 2021

Goins publishes research on Blacks’ influence on Elvis Presley

Submitted by Wayne Everett Goins

Wayne Goins, university distinguished professor of music, published an extensive research study in the internationally distributed audiophile magazine Positive Feedback on the direct influence of Black male vocalists on the singing style of Elvis Presley.

More specifically, Goins names pop vocalists Roy Hamilton and Jackie Wilson as the two men who had a significant impact on Presley's career. Goins also mentions two other significant African American musicians — songwriter Jesse Stone and producer Otis Blackwell — as major contributors who influenced Presley's career but were both unsung heroes in their roles as hitmakers for Elvis during his stellar rise to stardom.

Goins, who serves on the magazine's board of directors, has published several articles as a contributing feature columnist. Goins regularly combines intense music research with in-depth details of his use of mono, stereo and high-end digital equipment for playback of his extensive music collection in 45s, LPs and CD format.

Faculty in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance have received Grammy awards and nominations, and Emmy awards; produced recordings on international and national CD labels and published books and journal articles with international and national publishing houses and professional organizations; and performed and presented research in every continent in the world, except Antarctica. The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is a part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Visit the school's website to learn more about music, theatre and dance at K-State.