Elvis' Near Death Experience In The U.S. Army

#1

In the army he did exceed expectations that's for sure, he did stipulate that he didn't want favours, he wanted to be a regular soldier, he was very patriotic and maybe wanted to do his bit.
But then losing his Mam and he got there at least to see her and Varnon said her eyes lit up when she saw Elvis and then she passed.
I think that she hung on until he got there.
It was devastating to him bless him, when they shipped out to Germany there is one photo of him with his kit bag on his shoulder and if you look closely you can see he is hurting 😢.
I'll try find it in huge Elvis photo folder.
He was so respected by a lot of those critics that went for him when he got famous, I wonder sometimes what would of happened along that path, he was certainly more mature when he came out.
He didn't deserve his treatment of people back then xxx

#3

Chris R. (S.Artist)

3 years ago -@

Oh meant to say we can make the morning is just truly amazing, I agree with your choice and others, I'm these releases it's hard to pick favourites, well Elvis in general xx

#4

Chris R. (S.Artist)

3 years ago -@

This new Elvis release is absolutely fantastic 👌 !!!
They have got it right both times, the sound engineer doing the remastering has done a brilliant job.
And how fresh does Elvis sound in 2021, he just sounds so good just him and the band.
You feel like you in the studio with him just listening to the magic.
It's a great idea to do these, whoever idea it was, well done.i love them x

#5

Janna Blanton

3 years ago -@

Have you interviewed Kathy westmoreland

#6

Rebecca Robbins

3 years ago -@

The army did give him meds to keep him awake like you said and that's how he got hooked on those!

#7

Rebecca Robbins

3 years ago -@

I agree with keeping his legacy alive. I just wanted to say that my Uncle was stationed with Elvis at one point during his time in the army. My uncle is gone now, but I guess the guys wanted him to sing for them and I guess he didn't sing for them. My uncle was kind of upset about it, but read somewhere that the reason was, because Elvis didn't have his band with him. From what I read he was worried he wouldn't sound as good without them and I can believe that! But how awesome just being that close to Elvis. Don't get me wrong my uncle liked Elvis voice like most of us do. God bless everyone!!!😉

#8

Sandra Lybrand

3 years ago -@

It was a tank not a jeep Steve. He was hospitalized twice with tonsillitis and refused to let them take them out because he thought it would mess up his voice. His whole career he suffered with tonsillitis. I read that when they did the autopsy there was such a big hole in them that there were hardly any left.

#9

U.S. Veteran and Patriot

3 years ago -@

he was drafted i think they wanted elvis to fade away. did`nt work-

#10

Big Tam

3 years ago -@

Used to work with an old fella in the 90s (he's passed away now bless him) who met Elvis in an Army NAAFI in Germany…said he was so genuine and down to earth….can't wait to get my Xmas album out soon…….you should do a poll of favourite Elvis Xmas song……I,ll be home for Christmas ..my favourite of all time…the emotion In his voice…..Great channel…..love it…

#11

Lisa Marie Pagliei

3 years ago -@

Wow, Morgan! How fantastic is he!

#12

Helen Ludlow

3 years ago -@

Hi Steve, Tickle Me is on Sunday at 7.10pm on Sky Channel 328 Talking Pictures 💖

#13

Greg Scott

3 years ago -@

Steve you are talented making these great shows and awesome interviews

#14

Janice Southorn

3 years ago -@

Would like to get this Back To Nashville set on cds

#15

Janice Southorn

3 years ago -@

I think joining the Army was a good thing aside from the starts of using uppers to stay awake… Elvis always had problems with insomnia though… I also think that The Colonel could have been the one who set up or wanted him to be drafted and pulled strings to Get his reputation with older adults at the time and media to see he was not what they claimed and was dedicated young man to his country and his faith… I do think if he was in Soecial services things might have been different for him… But he wanted to be in an equal basis with other GI's… I know how the military changes young men my husband was in for 20 years… We saw the changes in him… Some good and some not so good… Its a stressful thing for many in the service and he had much at home also to stress him and his mother especially was worried… To the point sadly she became more ill… and I think that was always hard on Elvis as we all now know… But his career actually did well when he came back… Just wish he could have had the opportunities he wanted more like some serious movies or to star in some that he could have had it not been for his manager… He was too controlling of him… Good he stood up to the Colonel for the 68 special… Love every thing I hear and see about Elvis I have been a fan since I was a toddler… 60 some years now…

#16

D M

3 years ago -@

Your show is Sunday, what time, and you are in UK correct.

#17

Lana Clerk

3 years ago -@

Really great show Steve!!! Thanks for calling in again Morgan. We fellow Elvis fans are always glad to hear from you. I feel Elvis made the correct choice about his army service. Sure I understand that he didn't want to go. He had just started his musical/acting careers. He was apprehensive that maybe poof after 2 years it could all be over or very different. He was frightened I'm sure. He was right, a lot of the world had him under a microscope—just waiting for him to mess up. Well I will always feel his decision helped his image. It showed America what a special nice young man he truly had grown up to be. I am sure most of America was proud of him and his service. He was so handsome in his uniforms—–some of my most favorite pictures. Especially leaving Germany and coming back in all the snowflakes. Mmmm Yummmy!!! Thanks for near death experience story. I don't think I had ever heard that story. God Bless that wind!!!! Thank you Steve in all you do for us.

#18

Paul Martin

3 years ago -@

hello steve hope all well thanks for sharing this great video with us all in england take care friend

#19

an Y

3 years ago -@

Hi Steve yet another great show last night, with some lovely photos of Elvis in the service.

I've always believed that Parker had a hand in getting Elvis drafted so as to keep him apart from Gladys, he knew she was on to him, and she wasn't wrong.

Elvis knew Gladys wasn't in robust health and knew how his drafting would affect her, not that he could ever have imagined she'd pass away when she did.

The first Xmas in Germany without his mum must have been extremely hard for him, it was said some guys on base at the time asked him to sing, and he sang Silent Night for them, they all stood in total silence listening to him.

Have to agree with your favorite track choice Steve, We Can Make the Morning, is simply sublime in every way, and a very underated track too. The profound thought provoking lyrics are delivered with power, passion and conviction, and that emphasis he puts on the word "long" oh my gosh it gives you goosebumps.

Don't know what happened with live stream, could see and hear you fine, but the quiz answers appeared on screen before you asked the questions.

Thanks again steve

Thanks

#20

Bossa-Nova Baby

3 years ago -@

Ps. I was trying to find out who said "Cry as much as you want but as soon as go out of this door all eyes will be on you" (after Glady's died). Steve, you mentioned Eddie Fadell but you were not sure it was him. I can not find the proof who said it, however this interview you did with Eddies daughter is interesting..https://youtu.be/kagKXB57ZNU

#21

Karen Tranter

3 years ago -@

Hi Steve,
Great pictures of Elvis in the army, so gorgeous.
Thank you Steve for another packed show, wonderful xxx 💝

#22

vilma moro

3 years ago -@

Hi Steve, great show as always! Sorry, roasting chestnuts last night so I missed even the last part I sometimes catch!
Good poll/ topic , fantastic pictures and the "cutie" was adorable. Do you think he ever changed Lisa Marie's nappy! I don't think he'd have known where to start!!
"We Can Make The Morning" is absolutely "fantastic"! Did he ever sing one badly, don't think so!!
A lot of callers last night, they're great but Morgan is Grand!!! Need to get more Elvis songs out there, on air and on TV!!
Thanks Steve!

#23

Antoniette Musolino

3 years ago -@

Hey There ,I think Elvis joining the army probably bk then expected him to go even if he was famous it was his duty to go for his country and from reports Elvis wanted to go he didn't want special treatment ! Like some celebs these days!!😏

#24

Ann Burchill

3 years ago -@

Respected him for his service and it was sad he lost his mom.

#25

Dennis Brayboy

3 years ago -@

Sorry I miss today but watching now give u a hand up like always great show

#26

Dennis Brayboy

3 years ago -@

Hey Steve the new album is awesome I love it

#27

Deb Jackson-Smith

3 years ago -@

That's why it pisses me off when they say Billy was or is a sell out.He was the one there when Elvis mom died. He was there thru everything which is what made them so close. They were the best of friends and Billy was the only person Elvis could confide in. He did not like talking to men. He didnt want to appear weak.

#28

Deb Jackson-Smith

3 years ago -@

I got it from Graceland…love it..

#29

Reita Presley

3 years ago -@

going into the army when E did was the best thing for him at that time. he wud have gotten all the personal professional support from a caring group of guys, instead of putting on a show for the public, & burying grief. shame about currie grants plaything, he ended up sleeping with the enemy who killed him. damn.noone saved him from that.did they?

#30

Anthony Kiola

3 years ago -@

Good chat. Joining the army wasn't too good for Glenn Miller’s career. Perhaps Elvis’ service was a time for him to rest his voice and just practice vocal techniques because his voice was at another level in 1960. It's lucky Elvis missed out on Korea and Vietnam but then again the US and Soviet situation could have escalated suddenly. We Can Make the Morning is a nice song although the lyrics are a bit bizarre 😂 The song sounds like it would suit one of those 70s disaster movies. I listened to the album on the Elvis channel and it was better than I expected. I actually might get the album but I’ll wait and see….. I still haven't got the first one. Cheers.

#31

Bossa-Nova Baby

3 years ago -@

Yes, I think it was the correct decision that Elvis served as a regular soldier it gained him friends in the army. And as someone said about the pills Elvis got benzos from his mom. They were legal in the 50s but the dexedrine pills given to him in the army were a lot stronger to help him with manoevers. Talking about the latter I think it was divine intervention when the wind blew the tarp off the tank otherwise Elvis and his sarge could have died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The media reported Elvis having tonsillitus but this incident was kept quiet until many years later. Great song of the week. We can make the morning sounds very clear on the Elvis back in Nashville box set

#32