Elvis in Europe: the NME interview with the King

In partnership with Warner Bros.

Elvis Presley handled me to one among his smouldering, heavy-lidded glances, and the nook of his mouth curled right into a faint smile. “I don’t know if I shall handle to get to the highest once more,” he stated. “I solely want I did know. I hear that developments have modified, so it may be fairly tough for me. However I’ll let you know this – I’m gonna strive laborious.”

I used to be speaking to Elvis within the Ray Barracks, Friedburg, some 30 miles north of Frankfurt, simply earlier than the singing phenomenon flew again to America this week for his discharge from the Military. This was the primary time Elvis had been in a position to communicate freely since his arrival in Europe – and I used to be there on behalf of the NME.

After I requested him concerning the future, he was extraordinarily cautious – and just a little apprehensive. “I’m fully away from showbusiness,” he advised me. “I solely have newspaper clippings to maintain me updated with what’s occurring. That’s the place the NME is available in very helpful – I get it usually… learn each week.”

It occurred to me that Elvis may be significantly involved concerning the new crop of singers, who sprung up into the limelight in his absence. So I requested what he considered his new rivals, like Fabian and Frankie Avalon.

“Nicely to start out with, I don’t think about them as rivals,” he defined. “I’ve all the time believed that there’s room for everybody in present enterprise – and if different individuals could make it, then good luck to them. I’ve been down the identical highway they’re strolling on now, and I don’t begrudge them their success one bit.”

Presley’s quick plans on discharge are to go house and take a brief relaxation, earlier than beginning work with Frank Sinatra on the tv spectacular he’s doing initially of Might – and the movie GI Blues, which he’s scheduled to make.

He has no particular recording plans, though he assumes that making new discs will likely be one of many first objects on his schedule. “I haven’t had a brand new report out for ten months, and that’s taking a giant danger,” he stated.

Will it’s tough for Elvis to quiet down in civvy avenue? “Nicely, I assume it received’t be too tough to regulate myself from 108 {dollars} monthly to about 1,000,000 per yr,” he grinned. “However I suppose it received’t be too simple readjusting to your complete life.”

I used to be most anxious to know if Elvis meant to return onto the inflexible rock’n’roll path. Didn’t he maybe think about that he was getting too previous for a rocker?

“Nicely, I don’t know – that’s the primary time I’ve ever been requested that query. However I don’t suppose so – I’m not an previous man but!

What about Elvis’ actions, which have are available in for quite a lot of criticism previously? “I do know they shocked lots of people, however they had been all spontaneous, I simply couldn’t assist the way in which I offered my songs – I assume it was simply part of me.”

And people celebrated sideburns? “I’ll allow them to develop once more just a little, however they received’t be so long as they had been. I reckon I obtained over that kick!”

Elvis confirmed to me that he’s undoubtedly considering visiting Britain subsequent yr, as a part of a prolonged tour of Europe. “It’ll be fully new territory for me, and I’m actually wanting ahead to it,” he declared.

By now, Elvis Presley is again in America. And he’s taken with him the perfect needs of all NME readers, which I delivered in your behalf. What’s extra, I can guarantee you that he was genuinely happy to obtain them.

Getting private with Presley

Has he misplaced any weight since he’s been within the Military?

“Sure, about ten kilos. I tip the scales at about 170 now.”

Any ideas on getting married?

“I don’t know but. I assume I’ll wait till the bug bites – and it hasn’t bitten but.”

Has he sung in any respect whereas he’s been in Germany?

“Just for the fellows in my platoon.”

Is he taking any souvenirs again to America?

“Two German guitars and a digicam.”

Check out NME’s particular movie version Elvis digital journal proper right here. Don’t miss Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, in cinemas June 24. Guide tickets now.

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