March 24th, 1958, is day that many girls stopped screaming Elvis’s name at concerts and started crying instead as they watched the rock ‘n’ roll idol during his induction into the U.S. Army in downtown Memphis. Exactly fifty years later on March 24, 2008, a new exhibit opens at Graceland chronicling the two years Elvis served his country as a soldier. It was during this time in the Army that a young Elvis Presley met his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu in Germany.
During a recent visit to Graceland, Priscilla Presley was able to take a sneak peak at the exhibit during the installation phase. Peering into exhibit cases featuring Army uniforms, she saw green and khaki clothes that Elvis would wear on a daily basis during their time together in Germany. All of the artifacts displayed in this new exhibit took Priscilla back to a period in her life when she fell in love for the first time with the guy that every girl wanted to date. For Elvis, Priscilla provided comfort at a difficult time in his life. She says the new exhibit provides a snap shot of what he was thinking at the time. “It reveals all of the emotions he had leaving home and being over there alone. I think if you see the exhibit, you will see in his face in the photos, the struggle he had during that time in his life after having lost his mother.”
In addition to losing his mother, one of Elvis’s biggest concerns was whether or not he would have a career when he left the Army. Priscilla said, “he had a whole career in front of him, not knowing if he was going to be jump back into performing, if people hadn’t forgotten about him. He had a lot on his shoulders.” The world was not going to forget Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom Parker made sure of that with a mixture of recordings and the movie King Creole that were released during his time in the service. One of the artifacts on display in the Private Presley exhibit is a red shirt worn by Elvis in the feature film, shot in black and white.
Another artifact on display next to an Army jacket Elvis gave to Priscilla before he left Germany for Memphis is a set of bongo drums Priscilla gave to Elvis during their first Christmas together. “I didn’t know what to get him,” she recalls. The set of drums are worn from obvious use by Elvis. Having not seen the drums in years, she was moved to know that they had been saved and she remembers what a time she had in trying to pick out this gift. “I walked the streets for days trying to find something he didn’t have that he would want. I came across a music store and I saw a set of bongo drums. My dad gave me 35 dollars and he said make sure whatever you get is worth it.”
Having been one of the first to see the exhibit, Priscilla says it is a must see when visiting Graceland. "This is something we have never done before. You will be able to experience his Army experience and see him as a true soldier, serving his country.”
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Elvis's induction into the Army, the special exhibit Private Presley celebrates Elvis's service to his country. The exhibit will walk you through Elvis's Army induction and his time spent in the Army from 1958-1960. Special artifacts include Elvis's Army fatigues, dress uniforms, army foot locker, suitcases and more.
Elvis Insiders get an exclusive tour of the new Private Presley exhibit from Priscilla herself via video. Not a member? Click here to join.
Click here to purchase your tickets to visit Graceland or visit our online travel planner to help plan your trip.
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