In March 1960, the world held its breath as Elvis Presley, the legendary King of Rock and Roll, made his triumphant return after two years of military service. Drafted in 1958 into the U.S. Army, Elvis came back to an industry roaring with anticipation and fans desperate to discover his next move. In a rare, candid interview soon after his homecoming, Elvis revealed the emotional and practical realities of his service, his heartfelt feelings about returning, and an exciting roadmap for the future.
When questioned about his immediate plans, Elvis outlined a whirlwind schedule. His first mission: back to the recording studio to create more hits for his global audience. This was soon followed by a highly anticipated television special with Frank Sinatra, a union set to electrify viewers nationwide. The momentum continued with a film project alongside producer Hal Wallis, plus additional film commitments arranged with the powerhouse studio 20th Century Fox. With a humble yet confident grin, Elvis summed it up:
Heaven knows, I suppose it’ll keep me busy the rest of this year.
His return was not an emergence into rest but a relaunch into stardom, on stage, screen, and the record decks where he had become an icon.
Looking back on his Army days, Elvis described the experience as both strenuous and invaluable. He stressed the crucial lesson: that he achieved his service “just like everybody else” by honoring the rules, playing it straight, and forming unexpected friendships. The time he spent stationed in Germany brought challenges — bitter winters, relentless field duties, and the aching distance from home — yet served as a profound period of personal growth. He shared a straightforward but profound axiom for young soldiers embarking on similar journeys:
Play it straight, do your best, and you’ll get through.
No interview with Elvis would be complete without touching on music and romance. Though freshly returned, he admitted that he hadn’t had time to observe sweeping changes within the music scene, yet he was ready to embrace evolution.
I’d be foolish not to try to change with it,
he confessed. On the topic of his acting ambitions, Elvis expressed a genuine desire to evolve as a serious actor, acknowledging that while formal training might be beneficial, experience was his most effective teacher.
Rumors of love also found their way into the conversation, handled by Elvis with characteristic humility and care. He downplayed gossip linking him romantically to Nancy Sinatra and cleared the air regarding a young woman he’d met in Germany — a relationship far less dramatic than the press portrayed.
It wasn’t like that,
he said cautiously, balancing honesty with respect for privacy.
Perhaps the most poignant moment was Elvis’s tender expressions about his beloved hometown. He openly affirmed his deep affection for Memphis and assured fans that his roots were firmly planted at Graceland.
Someone asked me what I missed about Memphis, and I said everything,
he said. This declaration revealed an unbroken bond with the city that launched his meteoric career.
As Elvis Presley embraced civilian life anew, the world waited with bated breath for his next great chapter. Recording sessions, major television appearances, and compelling films loomed large on the horizon. One truth stood clear: the King of Rock and Roll was poised to reclaim his throne, and an eager global audience was ready — waiting to cheer him every step of the way.
