Already a star by the time he was drafted, Elvis Presley served in the US Army in Germany from 1958-1960. It was during this time that his life changed in a number of ways. First, his mother Gladys died of a heart attack at just 46 just before he headed to Europe. While he also met his future wife Priscilla, who was just a 14-year-old teenager at the time.
The future couple spent a lot of time together before he returned home to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
And it was during this period that Elvis revealed his concerns about rebooting his music career, having been out of the business for two years.
Speaking at Elvis’ 85th birthday celebration at Graceland this week, Priscilla said: “He was a perfect soldier, but heavy on his heart was coming back and not thinking he’d be accepted again.
“Heading back to Graceland was strange for him. It was what he always wanted, he wanted to get back there, but things were changing. And it did change, it did change.”
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Speaking with Local 24 Memphis, the 74-year-old said: “It’s a beautiful sight, it truly is.
“I mean, every year I’m amazed at how many people show up and these are, as you saw earlier, other countries as well.
“And I always think that Elvis would never ever believe that this is still happening and that this is his 85th birthday when he thought he’d be an old-timer by this time and no one would be interested.
“So I think for all of us who knew him, it’s always a pleasure to see all these people come and celebrate.”
Priscilla added: “He wouldn’t believe it. Elvis always appreciated his fans very, very much, truly – and had a personal relationship with them.
“When he would come out of the gate he would always talk to them; always ask what music they were listening to – just to try and keep on top of everything.
“So, I think about that a lot; how much love there is for him still.
“Not just here, but all over the world. I’ve been travelling…gosh…it’s very emotional for me when I see it,” the star added.