It also got a lot of things wrong, especially where the pop singer's longtime manager "Colonel" Tom Parker is concerned. Elvis Presley was drafted into the United States Army on March 24, 1958. Which was King Creole. Elvis Presley first became addicted to amphetamines sometime in his early twenties. Parker was unwilling to allow anyone to enjoy Presley's talents let alone profit from them, effectively, for free. But Elvis wanted no special treatment and was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 24th, 1958 and stationed at Fort Hood, TX. And had some time to relax with his family back in Memphis before officially inducted. Fans were eager for new music by Elvis Presley, and "Stuck On You" hit #1, becoming his first chart topping hit of the 1960s. Some of which included improvised musical jam sessions with his army buddies. Facts Verse [17] The army also introduced Presley to karate, which he studied seriously, later including it in his live performances. Something which won him a great deal of respect with both his fans and detractors alike. On March 24, 1958, Presley was sworn in and processed with others into the Army before boarding a bus to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. The 2022 biopic Elvis got some things right. People were expecting me to mess up, to goof up in one way or another. The show followed widowed aeronautical engineer named Steven Douglas and his three sons. [18], In early 1959, after a combination of a few complaints from other guests about the behavior of Presley fans wanting to see him at the Grunewald Hotel and the arrival of King Saud of Saudi Arabia, whose rather large entourage demanded the closing of the entire facility so that they could be well taken care of, particularly as his stay there was for medical reasons, Elvis and the group left the hotel and moved to a five-bedroom house nearby, at No. Before the gold lam Nudie suit, Elvis rocked a red Nudie suit for the 1957 movie Loving You. Elvis Presley served in the military for two years after being drafted in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1960. For Presley, however, being away in Germany was not all happy times. Leave a comment While Robert Urich was famous for doing battle with tough foes on the screen. But Elvis service actually ended up being incredibly beneficial for the singers career due to the clout that he received from fans and detractors alike. Mr. Presley's overseas service took place in Germany from October 1, 1958, until March 2, 1960, as a member of the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32d Armor. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Facts Verse It was one of these buddies that introduced Elvis to a woman that would later become his wife. [3] However, Parker had no intention of allowing Presley to sign up for Special Services, since Presley would have received no compensation for these performances besides standard military pay. c) He met Charlie Hodge, who became Elvis' confidant, a best friend and a Graceland resident for 17 years. After his final goodbyes to family and friends, Presley and his fellow U.S. Army recruits were taken by bus to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. January 28, 2023, 4:29 pm, by Elvis acceptance of his draft into the United States Army only helped cement his cultural legacy that much more. But the date postponed to March 24 after the deferment. For Elvis Presley, military service was an important part of his life. Unlike the rest of us, his stages are crisply defined like action figure special editions. Soon after, he was promoted to the private first class and specialist fourth class in June 1959. 4 with "Hard Headed Woman" and at No. Some theorists even [] More, Are you a fan of sitcom My Three Sons? He enlisted in the Army on March 24, 1958, at the Memphis draft board. At what rank was Elvis Presley upon his discharge from the army? He said, "I was in a funny position. Elvis stars as an Air Force pilot trying to convince his cousins in the Great Smokey Mountains to let the military construct a missile base on their land. And so [] More, Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll. Elvis was officially drafted into the US Army in 1957, but joined up and began training in 1958. haircut became a major press event that was seen by eyes around the world. After some early dabblingas a blues singer, Elvis had hooked up with Sun Records and its famous owner Sam Phillips, and with his strutting yet sensitive rockabilly style, had rattled off a number of hits by 1957 that are still classic to this day: "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes," and "Love Me Tender.". Since you've left the military, you have already had some civilian experience, but maybe it's time for a change in your education or career path. The singer was spending the holiday at his famous Graceland estate, and was amidst the peak of his career success. What are you, about a junior or senior in high school?. He then finished his senior year at L.C. He was the man that elevated rock-n-roll like no other and created the rockabilly movement that still exists, in a much more niche way, today. . As his famously tousled hair was shaved down to regulation length, he cracked, "Hair today, gone tomorrow." Elvis had always been incredibly patriotic. While Elvis couldve arguably used some of his connections to try and get out of serving in the war. Elvis rejoined the army, despite this sorrow, and soon his luck changed when he was taken to Germany with his troop. Hes ready and willing to rise to the challenge of climbing right back to the top of it, just as he had met the challenge of serving overseas during the war. Join Facts Verse as we explore the truth about Elvis Presleys military career. It saw the arrival of its most famous soldier a 22-year-old Pvt. The singer had already defined what it meant to be a popular music idol. [11] 20th Century Fox had agreed upon a $200,000 fee for one Presley film, with options on a second for $250,000 and a 50/50 split on profits. Priscilla Presley career: What films was Priscilla in after Elvis? All rights reserved. January 27, 2023, 7:28 pm, by Parker, who was often a visitor to Presley's home, would attempt to reassure his client. Copyright 2023 Military.com. Hassan By the time that Elvis had drafted into the army, he already a bit of a legend in his own time. Elvis was first exposed to Karate in 1958 after he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany. Required fields are marked *. He would end up having to fight an even tougher battle [] More, What could be more mysterious than an island filled with buried treasure? And then the Army entered the picture. It had been early 1957 when TIME reported. But without joining the army, he might have never met her. Hot One of the friends that Elvis would have improvised musical jam sessions with while serving overseas in Germany was Charlie Hodge. E-4 is not an unusual rank for a trained tanker, as Elvis was. Weve come a long way since the time of Elvis Presleys military days, but its still a humbling reminder that we all have a responsibility to help those reentering civilian life through support and resources for mental and physical health. He was inducted in March 1958, two weeks after wrapping his movie King Creole, for which he sang part of the soundtrack. Little did he know that soon after graduating high school, he would be skyrocketing into the entertainment industry. Everyone's familiar with Elvis Presley, but he has quite a wild backstory when it comes to romance. Before entering the U.S. Army, Presley had caused national outrage with his rock and roll music. [5] Eddie Fadal, another of Presley's friends, remembers that Presley would worry about his career, fearing it was all over. It was the saddest thing Id ever seen.. Furthermore, each performance would have been recorded and filmed for sale to television stations worldwide. It's no secret Elvis adored young women, and when he met Priscilla Wagner, everything. Read next: Famous Veterans: Youll Never Believe These Celebrities Actually Served. Two days later, she passed away at the age of 46. Another reason, according to Peter Browns Down at the End of Lonely Street: Life and Death of Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom worried about how Elvis reputation would be affected if he took an easy route in the Army, rather than serving like everyone else. During his active military career Mr. Presley served as a member of two different armor battalions. I was in a funny position. June 20, 2021, 9:06 am, by Elvis returned from Germany in 1960. Rock stars are infamous for their insatiable appetites for all things in excess. And the two went on to become married several years later. Comment down below to share whether you think Elvis deserves respect for his time in the United States Army, or if you think he spent too much time on his improvised musical jam sessions and not enough time defending America. It just before Christmas in 1957 when legendary singer Elvis Presley received the news that hes going drafted into the United States Army. Paul Beaulieu married the former Anna Lillian Iversen-Wagner (b.1926), on September 11, 1948. At Fort Dix, New Jersey he was honorably discharged from active duty on March 5, 1960, receiving a mustering-out check of $109.54. RCA agreed to release an album of Presley's press conference the day he left for Germany; titled Elvis Sails, the album would pay Presley $0.22 per sale in royalties, guaranteed up to at least 100,000 copies. How 'Elvis' highlights his complicated history with Black music. Yes, Elvis Presleys military career happened, as he was drafted into the U.S. Army on December 20, 1957. 1956: His Famous Hair. And while Williams sadly is no longer with us, Pam Dawber is still alive and well. Shelby County allocates $5 million, creates committee to study reparations. As soon as Elvis finished with basic training, tragedy struck. But soon after, he was back defending America. Weve seen plenty of celebrities who have served in the American Armed Forces, but none quite like the King. Elvis Presley served in the US Army for a short time, in the middle of his recording and film career. But in 1958 he made a surprising decision to join the US Army, shocking his fans. Elvis' 1962 Lockheed Jetstar Sold At Auction: Elvis' 1962 Lockheed Jetstar which has been parked in the desert for close to 40 years sold at auction for $260,000 last month. The Navy even suggested an Elvis Presley Company, which would include a battalion made up of Elvis friends, and private lodgings where he could sleep while performing in Las Vegas. On August 11, after calls from her doctor, Presley requested emergency leave to visit with his mother. Along the way he ends up in a love. [13] Presley used the recorder to mess around with friends and family, singing mainly gospel and current hits, but none of these recordings was sent back for release by RCA. Ultimately, its regarded that his time as a Soldier would also begin what would become his demise. He was glad to have the opportunity to try it out. During this time, Elvis seen shopping for records. He knew that people were waiting for something big to happen, but he proved them wrong. Elvis Presley's army service began this week for the first time. According to a 1985 interview with People magazine, Priscilla was introduced to Elvis by another officer, but the 14-year-old was very shy about meeting her icon. Having a successful career in the military is a major accomplishment. Elvis was a SERGEANT in. The singer had already released such classic singles as Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, and Heart Break Hotel. As mentioned previously, the film went on to become a personal favorite of Elvis. Well? he persisted. After buying his off-base property, Elvis continued working in the day but began having lavish parties at night. [5] Presley was given a physical and assigned army serial number 53310761, before being sworn in and made leader of his group. More info. Suggested read: Before He Was a Star, Young Tony Bennett Was a Hero, Filed Under: Military History Tagged With: celebrities, military history. [citation needed], Introduced to amphetamines by a sergeant while on maneuvers, he became "practically evangelical about their benefits"not only for energy, but for "strength" and weight loss, as welland many of his friends in the outfit joined him in indulging. And was likely grateful that the war was about to take his mind off of it. Elvis Presley, in full Elvis Aaron Presley or Elvis Aron Presley (see Researcher's Note), (born January 8, 1935, Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S.died August 16, 1977, Memphis, Tennessee), American popular singer widely known as the "King of Rock and Roll" and one of rock music's dominant performers from the mid-1950s until his death. [4], Worried that rock and roll was a passing fad, Presley wanted to make King Creole the best role he had ever acted. Learn how your comment data is processed. Humes High School and, shortly after graduation, began what would become his illustrious career as an artist. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. Elvis Presley as a US Soldier Stationed in West Germany: 1958-1960. While fans around the country were upset by the news, parents and teachers groups were ecstatic; they viewed Presley as a menace to society. | U.S. Army Center of Military History", "Dee Stanley Presley: Elvis' stepmother, who enraged the singer", From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis, Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances, Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II, Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology, The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters, From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters, Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters, Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings, The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Military_career_of_Elvis_Presley&oldid=1136020935, Cold War military history of the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with style issues from April 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. [3], On January 4, 1957, Presley attended Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis for a pre-induction army medical. This time was incredibly important for him, with it marking the death and meeting of two. He would often write home to friends and family about how homesick he was, how desperately he missed his mother, and of how his fears about his career still clouded his mind. On March 3, Presley's plane arrived at McGuire Air Force Base near Fort Dix, New Jersey, at 7:42 am. However, due to commitments at Paramount and the filming schedule of his latest film, King Creole, Presley had to personally write to the Memphis Draft Board to request a deferment. The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). On March 24, 1958, Elvis officially entered the U.S. Army. His first instructor was a German shotokan stylist named Juergen Seydel who taught Elvis at his off-base housing in Nauheim until 1958. Related: To create a personalized transition plan for yourself, and for transition guides and checklists, visit theMilitary.com Transition Center. "[4], Presley was originally scheduled to be inducted on January 20, 1958. Before serving, the King continued to build a younger audience, whereas some of his antics were not well received by a more conservative, older audience. It is now available for streaming exclusively on HBO Max beginning September 2. And his outfit also said to have gotten quite a bit of field duty. In between his basic and advanced training, Presley received a two-week leave, and he used that time to record five songs in Nashville. On March 24, 1958, Presley was sworn in and processed with others into the Army before boarding a bus to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Its certainly admirable that Elvis didnt try to get out of drafted and actually saw some time in active duty. December 22 Events Today in Elvis Presley History, Elvis and guests following his opening night at The International Hotel in Las Vegas on August 10 1970. He was inducted at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas and reached the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged on March 5, 1960. On another trip, Elvis met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, the daughter of an Army officer, and he immediately began dating her. His natural hair color was sandy blonde, and he dyed it jet black. [22] Dee and Vernon eventually married in 1960, with her children becoming stepbrothers to Presley. The Navy, Air Force, and even The Pentagon were hoping to be the choice for the King. Elvis Presley, who died 44 years ago this month, was not a drug abuser in the typical rock'n'roll lifestyle sense, a new book claims, but he was medicating to address a series of congenital. by And the film met with positive reactions from both critics and audiences alike. And he was also glad that he was serving his country. Before entering the Army, Presley had caused national outrage with his sexually charged performances and rock and roll music. For the record, here are Elvis' significant military dates. Whether you want to learn more about other famous veterans, polish up your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area, or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. [16] RCA also managed to generate four albums compiling old material during this period, most successfully Elvis' Golden Records (1958), which hit number three on the LP chart. W hen Elvis Presley reported to be inducted into the Army on this day, March 24, in 1958, his legions of fans weren't exactly taken by surprise. The story . This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. On the first Hot 100, dated Aug. 4, 1958, Presley ranked at No. This wasnt just Elvis Presley in military garbs going to defend America. G.I. Elvis Presley reported for duty in the United States Army in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas on March 24, 1958. Its undeniable that Elvis Presley was one of the biggest stars of all time. Elvis began going through basic training, and didn't take his first leave until June. That night, Elvis was apparently so excited for his induction into the army that he was unable to sleep. And the singer given emergency leave to go and visit her on her deathbed. These substances were legal in the United States until 1965, but Presley, who also suffered from insomnia, was soon also taking depressants to help him fall asleep at night. 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