Charles Kettering, who was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1933, said this. Kettering held more than 300 U.S. patents. One of his first inventions was the all-electric starting ignition and lighting system for automobiles. If we were to ask people in other countries if they had ever heard of Kettering, they probably would ask “Who?” But if you ask them if they have ever heard of Elvis, they look at you as if you are crazy and reply “Of course!”
Like in many other countries, a number of urban Turks in the late 1950s were introduced to American culture -- thanks to Elvis. America was perceived as a place of opportunity to go and get rich.
True. Kettering and Elvis were both rich. But somehow rock ‘n’ roll music and Elvis spread globally, but few knew about Kettering. Elvis’ style of music influenced the youth and some Turkish musicians.
It was believed that Elvis personified American culture. I always find it interesting when some seem to imagine that the way a famous artist lives exemplifies American culture or Western culture.
If you ask some Turkish people why they have chosen to incorporate aspects of American or Western culture they will say the following:
It’s an icon symbolizing freedom
It represents modernity and practicality
It allows you to do what you want
It encourages freedom of speech and press
It provides the opportunity to reach your dream
It emphasizes quality education and openness
It symbolizes richness; you can get rich there
There is nothing wrong with embracing positive aspects of another culture. But I wonder if these answers reflect the whole truth. I also wonder what aspects of Turkish culture would be good for Americans to incorporate.
We know most Elvis fans will tell you that his music made them happy. It is interesting how Western culture has influenced the Turkish language through music. You will meet many Turks who can sing in English but cannot speak it. Music actually is a great way to learn a language. Repetition is a great way to build you vocabulary and learn sentence structure. Did Elvis’ music really change lives or just lifestyles?
A Today’s Zaman reader wrote: “A cousin of mine served in the Air Force in İzmir back in the early 1960s. When he came home he showed us photographs of some young Turkish teenagers. Turkey seemed so far away then and so very different. But I was shocked when he said that they combed their hair like Elvis; they dressed like Elvis and they tried to even walk like Elvis.”
Because of two words -- rock ‘n’ roll (rok and rol) -- many developing and Third World countries pursued the way of the West or American lifestyles in the 1950s with more vigor. Sadly some failed to do more than copy the surface of a culture.
People around the world who longed for something embraced the idea and mimicked the dress, the hairstyle and the look, but overlooked more important issues such as education and advanced technology and industry.
Other readers wrote in and shared how they thought many Turkish musicians have been inspired by Elvis. They pointed out that groups like Moğallar, Cem Karaca and Erkin Koray created a new sound known as “Anatolian Rock.”
Today’s Zaman readers shared that Koray frequently sang two of Elvis’ songs -- “Hound Dog” and “Don’t be Cruel.” They say Koray was inspired by American rock ‘n’ roll, hence his song “Yalnızlar Rıhtımı.”
Some other comments sent in by readers revealed that Erol Büyükburç was the most influenced by Elvis. Some even referred to him as the Turkish Elvis of the late 1950s. Thank you for all these comments. If you have not written in and have an opinion, drop me a note and share it.
For these Turkish musicians rock ‘n’ roll had a positive impact on their careers; for many others the influence was only superficial. Maybe if we choose to aspire to a role model such as Charles Kettering greater heights would be achieved. After all, Kettering had the chance of a lifetime and took it.
Kettering, who died at age 82, was a farmer, schoolteacher, mechanic, engineer, scientist, inventor and social philosopher. Even though he had poor eyesight at a young age, he overcame obstacles and acquired an electrical engineering degree from Ohio State University in 1904.
Kettering and Elvis both brought about change and progress. It’s good to be open-minded and constantly learning. If we think we know it all, we are as good as dead. Living is learning!
Note: Keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
