88 U.S. VETERANS MAGAZINE WWW.USVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM
FEATURE: COVER STORY
He cut his first demo record at what later became known as Sun Studio that year, and before long, Sam Phillips, the record label owner, decided to take the young performer under his wing. Presley soon began touring and recording, trying to catch his first big break. That's All Right was Presley's first single in 1954. In 1955, Presley began to develop a following with fans being drawn to his unusual musical style, provocative gyrating hips and good looks. That same year, he was ultimately discovered by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, a huckster who recognized a star quality in the singer and helped him sign with RCA Records. Under Parkers management, the Presley family was lifted out of poverty. Parkers marketing of Presleys sex appeal combined with critics perception that his music would corrupt children, led to Presley becoming a controversial figure. After some of his suggestive dance moves at a concert led to legal trouble, Parker convinced the government to draft Presley into the U.S. Army in an effort to avoid legal troubles. Elvis is probably the most famous star who ever served in the cause of liberty. After he was drafted, he was offered easy time, as they say. Perform for the troops, help with recruiting efforts and so on. But he refused. He entered the Army as a regular GI on March 24, 1958. That head of hair that drove ladies crazy? Gone, in favor of a military cut. Hair today, gone tomorrow, Elvis joked. His induction was a big event, with hundreds of onlookers and media gawking and snapping photos. He told the Arizona Daily Star , Im kind of proud of it. It's a duty I've got to fill, and Im going to do it. He was eager to prove to doubters that he could make it as a Soldier. I was in a funny position, he later said. Actually, thats the only way it could be. People were expecting me to mess up, to goof up in one way or another. They thought I couldnt take it and so forth, and I was determined to go to any limits to prove otherwise, not only to the people who were wondering, but to myself. Presley served as a member of two different armor battalions. Between March 28 and September 17, 1958, he embedded in Company A, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood. During this assignment, he completed basic and advanced military training. His overseas service took place in Germany from October
Elvis gets his hair shorn off in preparation for duty in 1959. Elvis' 1958 Alden guitar on display ahead of The Rock 'n' Roll Art & Soul Online Auction.
MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVES/GETTY IMAGES JOHN PHILLIPS/UK PRESS VIA GETTY IMAGES
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