Priscilla Beaulieu Friedberg, Germany, After Elvis Presley finished his initial military training at Fort Hood, Texas, he was sent to the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany. It was here where Elvis was introduced to karate, a discipline he would not only practice for the remainder of his life, but also incorporate into his live act.
It was also in Friedberg where he met 14-year old Priscilla Beaulieu, who he would marry after a seven-year courtship. It was Priscilla, who, many years later in her autobiography, stated that Elvis chose to serve in the army as a regular soldier, as opposed to going into the cushier celebrity-laden Special Services, at the behest of his manager, Col. Tom Parker, who believed Elvis’ image would be better served by appearing to be a “regular guy.”
Elvis feared that going into the army would ruin his career. But RCA big-wig producers Steve Shoals and Freddy Bienstock were well prepared for Elvis’ time away from the public; they had stockpiled a large amount of unreleased music from The King, which they time-released over the next two years to the tune of 10 Top 40 hits, including “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck,” “(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I,” and his biggest military-era hit, “A Big Hunk o’ Love,” which shot to #1 in 1959.
Elvis was honorably discharged from the army on March 5, 1960. When he returned to the States, the train carrying him from New Jersey back to Memphis made a number of scheduled stops along the route so he could meet his fans. Just two weeks later, Elvis went into Nashville’s famed RCA Studio B to cut sides for an upcoming album. He went back into the same studio two weeks later to record more songs, including “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and “It’s Now or Never,” which on this day in 1960 began a five-week run atop the U.S. singles chart. It would also spend eight weeks at #1 in the U.K.
Published by Elvis’ own Gladys Music publishing company (it was named after his mother), the melody for “It’s Now or Never” was adapted from the classic Italian standard “O Sole Mio,” and it’s lyrics were penned in just 20 minutes by Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold. Due to some rights issues, there was a substantial delay in releasing the song in the U.K., resulting in extremely heavy advanced orders for the song. It debuted at #1 in the U.K., which at the time was a rare feat.
With over 25 million units sold over the years, “It’s Now or Never” is the biggest-selling hit of Elvis’ career. Grammy-winning singer Barry White later credited the song with saving his life. When White first heard it, he was serving time for stealing tires. Hearing “It’s Now or Never” while in jail inspired him to dedicate his life to making music.
It was also in Friedberg where he met 14-year old Priscilla Beaulieu, who he would marry after a seven-year courtship. It was Priscilla, who, many years later in her autobiography, stated that Elvis chose to serve in the army as a regular soldier, as opposed to going into the cushier celebrity-laden Special Services, at the behest of his manager, Col. Tom Parker, who believed Elvis’ image would be better served by appearing to be a “regular guy.”
Elvis feared that going into the army would ruin his career. But RCA big-wig producers Steve Shoals and Freddy Bienstock were well prepared for Elvis’ time away from the public; they had stockpiled a large amount of unreleased music from The King, which they time-released over the next two years to the tune of 10 Top 40 hits, including “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck,” “(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I,” and his biggest military-era hit, “A Big Hunk o’ Love,” which shot to #1 in 1959.
Elvis was honorably discharged from the army on March 5, 1960. When he returned to the States, the train carrying him from New Jersey back to Memphis made a number of scheduled stops along the route so he could meet his fans. Just two weeks later, Elvis went into Nashville’s famed RCA Studio B to cut sides for an upcoming album. He went back into the same studio two weeks later to record more songs, including “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and “It’s Now or Never,” which on this day in 1960 began a five-week run atop the U.S. singles chart. It would also spend eight weeks at #1 in the U.K.
Published by Elvis’ own Gladys Music publishing company (it was named after his mother), the melody for “It’s Now or Never” was adapted from the classic Italian standard “O Sole Mio,” and it’s lyrics were penned in just 20 minutes by Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold. Due to some rights issues, there was a substantial delay in releasing the song in the U.K., resulting in extremely heavy advanced orders for the song. It debuted at #1 in the U.K., which at the time was a rare feat.
With over 25 million units sold over the years, “It’s Now or Never” is the biggest-selling hit of Elvis’ career. Grammy-winning singer Barry White later credited the song with saving his life. When White first heard it, he was serving time for stealing tires. Hearing “It’s Now or Never” while in jail inspired him to dedicate his life to making music.
