No. It wasn’t a new movie script with Elvis playing a suave, handsome soldier, at least not yet. That would come later. But just like his character Tulsa McLean in G.I. Blues, Elvis Presley was about to become part of the United States Army.
Trading a closet full of loud, colorful clothes for one of standard G.I. brown, was just one of the pitfalls. His income was reportedly taking a dive from approximately $400,000 a month to around $80 a month. Ouch ! Then of course there were all those fans, that would have to say good bye to their idol for two long years.
He was also in the middle of a contract with MGM for the filming of ,King Creole. MGM and Colonel Parker were able to receive a sixty-day deferment so their star could finish filming, this all-time great classic.
When asked about his draft notice, Elvis would reply, "I’m going into that service and do the best I can. If they want me to sing for the boys, I’ll sing. If they want me to march -- anything they want me to do is all right."
During his final press conference he was asked what kind of girls it was he liked. His answer was "What kind of girls"? "Why, female, sir." His always present since of humor would be clearly missed, almost as much as his music.
A play by the name of Bye Bye Birdie was written during that time to show the huge impact on the teenage girls all over the World. It would later become a movie, with Ann Margret in the starring role. She would eventually also play a large part in Elvis’ life, on and off-screen.
The King of Rock'n'Roll traded his "Blue Suede Shoes" for combat boots on March 24, 1958.
Thousands of teenage girls skipped school that day and painted their nails black to show the World how bad they felt.
Like it or not, Private Presley, Serial No. 53310761, was on a Greyhound bus on his way to Ft. Chaffee, in northwest Arkansas.
FORT CHAFFEE
Fort Chaffee will always be known as, where Elvis lost his trademark ducktail and sideburns. James B. Peterson's name went down in history that day as one of the most famous barbers in the world.
After only four days Private Elvis Presley was back on a Greyhound bus, this time heading for basic training in Fort Hood, Texas.
