March 1960 was a pivotal moment in the life and career of Elvis Presley, the man affectionately known as ‘The King of Rock and Roll’. After two years serving in the U.S. Army, Elvis was ready to hang up his uniform and reclaim his throne in the music industry. The photographs taken by LIFE photographers James Whitmore and Al Fenn during this period offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of a cultural icon on the brink of a triumphant return. Let’s journey back to 1960 and relive the moment when Elvis swapped his army boots for blue suede shoes.
The Man Behind the Uniform
Elvis’s entry into the army was a media sensation. In March 1958, he was inducted as a private at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. From the beginning, Elvis insisted on receiving no special treatment, taking on regular duties like any other soldier. Despite his celebrity status, he adhered to the stringent military routines, undergoing rigorous training, and even having his famously slicked hair shorn off, which he humorously referred to as his “GI buzz cut.”
The King’s service took an emotional turn when he was stationed in Friedberg, Germany, in October 1958. Away from home, he felt the loneliness of army life. His mother, Gladys, whom he was very close to, passed away shortly after his induction, adding to his grief.
However, his time in Germany was not all hardship. It was during this period that Elvis met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, who would later become his wife. The duo spent a considerable amount of time together, forging a bond that would remain strong even after Elvis’s departure.
A Fond Farewell in Germany
Elvis’s departure from Germany was captured in a series of moving black and white images. One of the most captivating photographs shows Elvis with his then 15-year-old girlfriend, Priscilla Beaulieu. They stand together in a tender farewell moment, revealing a softer, more personal side of the rock ‘n’ roll legend that was often kept out of the public eye.
These photographs, brimming with emotion, depicted a 25-year-old Elvis in uniform, saying goodbye to friends, fans, and to a significant period in his life. His time in the army had been a chapter of discipline and duty, a far cry from his usual world of music and fame.
Landing on American Soil
Fast forward to March 3, 1960, and Elvis was back on American soil, arriving at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The photographs from his arrival show an elated Elvis, his face lighting up with a radiant smile as he stepped onto the tarmac. The army chapter of his life was closing, and you could see the excitement in his eyes as he looked forward to what lay ahead.
One striking image from Fort Dix shows Elvis saluting an American flag, a testament to his time in the army. Despite his superstar status, these images remind us that for two years, Elvis Presley was also an American soldier serving his country.
The King is Back
Officially discharged from the army on March 5, 1960, Elvis was poised to reclaim his crown in the music world. And he wasn’t disappointed. He soon reminded everyone why he was ‘The King’, with his subsequent albums and films catapulting him back into the limelight and cementing his status as a music legend.
These 1960 photographs provide an intimate look into a critical transitional period in Elvis’s life. They capture the dichotomy of his existence, from the disciplined serviceman in Germany to the charismatic entertainer in America. The army might have temporarily taken the man away from rock ‘n’ roll, but as these pictures attest, it certainly didn’t take the rock ‘n’ roll away from the man.
