De Tupelo a Memphis

Year 1958. "A door to Hope".
"King Creole"

A new year for Elvis Presley 1958, the radical change, everything was perfect so far, Elvis had reached the top, he was at the artistic peak. All this despite his opponents and critics who wanted to force him to change his way of moving and dismiss his passing music. It was an important moment for him, because he had what he had dreamed of and he was about to make a film that was an opportunity for him as an actor. But on the other hand, he was afraid, because he was forced to do military service and from March things were going to change, it was once again losing himself in the unknown after having achieved success, not knowing how long his followers would last if he was two. years out of the middle.
It was a very difficult step for Elvis Presley who had so many questions to ask himself regarding the future that everything was somewhat chaotic. But Elvis was very cheerful and took things for the moment with enthusiasm, the filming and recording of the film "King Creole" gave him the energy and strength to move on.
Elvis was very motivated by the film, because he knew it was a great opportunity, because it was not the same as the previous ones he had made.

January 1958
Opportunity and Uncertainty

On January 10, 1958, Scotty and the band checked into the Hollywood Knickerbocker, arriving to record the soundtrack for the movie "King Creole" for Paramount. They were going to work on the soundtrack at Radio Recorders and later the filming of the film would begin.
The thing is, although they were working with Elvis again and everyone was very happy about it, his upcoming recruitment threatened their future and security. They did not know if they would continue on the payroll with any salary during this time, which was very unlikely and even less if Elvis would continue to have a future in the musical world once he got out of the military.
Nobody really knew, it was a question that Elvis himself asked himself over and over again, since his future was up in the air, but fortunately his present was even stronger and he focused on the movie he had to make, because for Elvis It was special and a great opportunity to work with great professionals.

The songwriters Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller were again in charge of the session, they were very good professionals, but they had many projects on the horizon and they would really contribute a lot to the production but problems finally arose and they ended up abandoning the project.
Paramount had given up on trying to get Elvis to record on the soundstage, the reason being that Elvis didn't like the size of the soundstage at all, he also didn't like how they engineered the recordings. For him and his musicians it was much easier to be able to record at the moment and if something went wrong to be able to repeat it, something that could never be done at Paramount.

It was clear that it was not the same to record for a film as for a record, so it was necessary for some songs to make two different versions and of course to record the film's soundtrack.

"King Creole" recording sessions

The conducting recording sessions were to be given on January 15, 16 and 23, 1958. Paramount.
Radio Recorders.11 February 1958 Paramount Sound Studio, Hollywood:

The music was to be set in the nightclubs of New Orleans. They wanted to give an authentic sound that was similar, they wanted to get authentic Dixieland sound. So Paramount hired some of Los Angeles' best session musicians for the recording: a brass section. Elvis' own band was again supplemented by pianist Dudley Brooks, and a second drummer as there was more complexity. in the rhythms. With Elvis, 14 musicians were working in the studio. It would be the largest group he had had up to now. In charge was the engineer Thorne Nogar, for him everything would be as usual. Also Paramount's music director, Charles O'Curran, as well as Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, had recently signed on as producers for RCA.

The Composers who were part of the production would be Leiber and Stoller themselves, who were Elvis's favorite writers of the moment, along with other Elvis Presley Music regulars such as Aaron Schroeder and Claude DeMetrius, who sent two rock 'n' roll songs. Also Ben Weisman and his partner Fred Wise came up with "Danny" as the proposed title cut, along with several other new songs.The session began with "Hard Headed Woman" by Claude DeMetrius. A very catchy and rhythmic song, with a brass arrangement that captured the spirit of New Orleans, while retaining the basic flavor of a rock 'n' roll trio. "Hard Headed Woman" was a sure hit, with the same spirit as the previous one, it also highlighted the rhythm and the interpretation of Elvis who sang to his liking.
“Trouble” a Muddy Waters-style stop-time blues, very punchy and performed with a classical opening. A song well suited to the defiant performance of the Elvis character, in his role as Danny Fisher. Leiber and Stoller helped the first day with arrangements of his own songs.and also some of the other tunes.
"Hard Headed Woman" and "Trouble", along with "Dixieland Rock", "New Orleans" and "King Creole", became the core of a soundtrack. With the theme "King Creole", they had a lot of problems due to the rhythm of the score, it was a double time rhythm, this would be difficult for Scotty and DJ.

Eighteen takes were done, but it would be hard to decide which one was the final one. In the end, the third and final take was chosen so that Elvis could review it later. January 16, 1958 They started with the song "Dixieland Rock", a very upbeat tune by Aaron Schroeder and Rachel Frank, aka Beverly Ross. They also recorded some wonderful ballads by Weisman and Wise, "As Long As I Have You", "Don't t Ask Me Why", sung with a very intimate and close interpretation of Elvis.

For the recordings that Elvis was going to make, he based himself on some demos that Jimmy Breedlove had recorded. These ballads by Ben Weisman and Fred Wise would not give the team any problems, since they were easy songs to perform and Elvis would also interpret them with great feeling.
Two versions were made, one for the film session and the other for the record.

With “Lover Doll” a very charming acoustic recording was made, since it was a very simple and straightforward song. Steve Sholes really liked this song, so he reinforced it with vocal overdubs. The song "Danny". I don't know, he recorded this day, it was not given importance and it was left to he one side. The reason was that the score did not have much strength compared to the rest. It was supposed to give the film its title but it was not like that, since a song was needed that would impact the public, that would hook and remain with the viewer. 01/23 1958 Leiber and Stoller influenced the change, because they knew that a more rhythmic theme like "King Creole" could be more successful for the film.
Neither Paramount nor the Colonel were convinced that "King Creole" was good enough, until an improved recording made days later. This was improved thanks to Steve Sholes, who wanted to improve the rhythm section and brought in Bernie Mattinson to help. D.J. Fontana on drums. Ray Siegel as Jordanaire Neal Matthews had to replace Bill on electric bass, because he was having trouble somewhere.

It was hard to admit that Elvis did everything perfectly being relatively inexperienced, he took everything the first time and did it at any pace. But his musicians who were amateurs were not. They were young but not ready to take on every new demand that a Hollywood score might place.
Fortunately everything would work out and the song was finished successfully. The song's intro was altered, it was changed to highlight the Jordanaires singing the words "King Creole" before Elvis entered. Also Scotty Moore came up with a finger-bleeding guitar solo, this would give the song a true pure rock'n'roll flavor.

The song "Young Dreams" would be recorded and then Elvis wanted to do some additional songs for the next singles session that RCA would do. But Elvis had relied so much on the advice of Leiber and Stoller, that when they failed in the session all his enthusiasm fizzled out. For this reason he would miss the day, he could not do his job well, the next thing was a disaster, it is as if he had thought they were his lucky charm and this was not the case. He had already shown before that he knew what he was doing, but he was discouraged, since they had become two good friends and they had failed him. But it's part of another, more complex story that Colonel Parker brought about, which is why they had to drop Elvis.
Everything was ready to film the film "King Creole", in our opinion, the best film by Elvis Presley.
https://youtu.be/p8Ec_AD63Pk
"Following the Path of the King..."

"Trouble"

"Trouble" by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
A song that Elvis enjoyed at all times when interpreting it. The strength and security with which it was done and the double intention of the lyrics would give an intensity to the theme that would leave its mark on the film. Elvis was magnificent, defiant and with a voice that conveys everything, as well as initially singing in a lower register than usual.
With "Trouble" by Leiber and Stoller, Elvis sang a traditional blues and a change of rhythm that makes this song a score that leaves a mark, it is one of the best moments in Elvis's voice.
The introduction of the song with wind instruments in a slow and traditional way gives it a wonderful touch.

This song was recorded at Radio Recorders on January 15, 1958 for the film "King Creole".
It was released on the film's soundtrack EP and LP. Since then he has appeared on "Worldwide Gold Award Hits vol. 2", "Elvis Sings Leiber & Stoller", "The Great Performances", "The King Of Rock 'n' Roll", "Artist Of The Century", "Elvis 2nd to None", "Elvis By The Presleys", "Hitstory", "Elvis R'n' B" and 2007's "The Essential Elvis".
On his return to TV, Elvis sang it on the 1968 "Elvis" Comeback Special" for NBC. Logically it would be included on the LP. On many Comeback bootlegs.
There are many alternate versions that were included on "Memories", "The '68 Comeback Special" and FTD's "Burbank '68" and "Let Yourself Go". Elvis performing the medley was featured on the 2007 international DVD release "Elvis #1 Hit Performances".
Elvis would also interpret it in Concert in the 1970s. Of the same would be published in the FTD "Closing Night" and "Southern Nights", "Writing for the King", etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcr_b0T7nd8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvdW75-yJUI

"Crawfish"

"Crawfish" by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman
Elvis recorded this song on Radio Recorders on January 15, 1958, for the film "King Creole." with a creole sound”.
In the original version of the film, he was accompanied by Kitty White who introduced the melody, but she was cut from the record version, but it was magnificent.
Elvis turns to this song that is so insinuating and with a vocal game that makes it special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGproTHaWWk

The lyrics had a double intention, insinuations, it was witty:
"Look, I got it / Look at the size / Naked and cleaned before your eyes / Sweet meat, look."
One could glimpse a sexual meaning that at the time would have been scandalous.

It was included in the EP and LP of the same. Initially a longer version of the song was recorded for the film with singer Kitty White, but on LP it would be cut.
The song has since been included on "Worldwid Gold Award Hits Vol. 2", reissues of "The King Of Rock & Roll" and :King Creole". An unedited version appeared on "Essential Elvis Vol. 3".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQOlgXaSDy8

"King Creole

"King Creole". Another Leiber and Stoller classic that Elvis recorded on January 23, 1958 at Radio Recorders, although it was tried days before but it would not be an acceptable version. They had problems with the rhythm and the players had to make several changes until it could be recorded correctly in another session.
"King Creole" had to be re-recorded for the song to be considered for the film's title. Elvis' performance is brilliant and energetic. He uses several vocal registers to finish giving life to the song along with the chorus. Although it has wind accompaniment, but Elvis dominates the song perfectly.
Scotty created a guitar solo that gave the song the punch and instrumental hook that was missing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cOCr110_sU

It was released on the soundtrack EP and, shortly after, on the soundtrack LP.
It was later included on "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2", "Elvis Sings Leiber & Stoller", "The "Great Performances". Also on re-release of "Elvis' Gold Records Vol. 2", "Elvis 2nd to one", "Hitstory", "Elvis Movies", "Elvis Rock" and "Elvis at the Movies".
Alternate takes were included on the 1990 LP "Essential Elvis Vol. 3". and the soundtrack album re-released in 1997. Also in "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", etc,etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvj6pbGOVyQ

"Lover Doll"

"Lover Doll" by Sid Wayne and Abner Silver
A slow tempo sweet and soft sung song by Sid Wayne and Abner Silver for the King Creole soundtrack, recorded by Elvis on January 16, 1958 on Radio Recorders.
A ballad type song in calm air, of which two versions were made. One with a choir and the other with the accompaniment of the Jordanaires.

The song was published on the EP "King Creole Vol. 1" version without the Jordanaires, the overdub, the overdub was included on the soundtrack LP.
Later in " Worldwide Gold Award Hits vol. 2" and "The King of rock and roll". The undubbed version resurfaced on the 1991 album "Essential Elvis Vol. 3" and the 1997 reissue of "King Creole", etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf8YP1wFrto

"New Orleans"

"New Orleans" A composition by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett. This score would be Bennett's personal favorite of the many he wrote for Elvis.
It was recorded at Radio Recorders on January 5, 1958 for "King Creole".
"New Orleans", The song opens with a solid trumpet intro by John Ed Buckner.
A mix of half spoken, half sung performance, also of various styles, part jazz, part blues, and part rock. Once again a good arrangement and a magnificent performance in the voice of Elvis, with a lot of vocal and insinuating play.

It was released on the EP (Vol 1) and the LP "King Creole"
It was later included on "Worldwide Gold Award Hits vol. 2," "Elvis Sings The Blues," "The King Of Rock And Roll," and "Platinum: A Life in Music."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w78wUvEbedw

"Young Dreams"

Elvis recorded this Martin Kalmanoff and Aaron Schroeder composition on Radio Recorders on January 23, 1958 for the King Creole soundtrack and associated EP and LP.
"Young Dreams"
A mid-tempo ballad.. On this song, Elvis tried something a little different, as he sings part of the encore in a much lower voice to add light and shadow to the recording.
It was hardly a subtle approach, but it shows how eager he was to do his best in these sessions and above all to look for a difference to the rest.
It was published in "Worldwide Gold Award Hits vol. 2", "The King Of Rock & Roll" anthology and "King Creole" album reissues etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUvqi8H66cU

"Dixieland Rock"

"Dixieland Rock", a song by Claude Demetrius and Fred Wise for King Creole on January 16, 1958 on Radio Recorders.
A strong Rock Jazz arrangement that Elvis interprets with force, with claw, in his style and enjoying the song. Accompanied in the choirs with the Jordanaires.

The version was issued on "King Creole EP Vol. 2" and slightly altered for the soundtrack LP.
The song was reprized for the 1971 album "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2", "The King of Rock and Roll", also on reissues of "King Creole", and 2006 album "Elvis Rock".
https://youtu.be/0s_VBPxG_nw

"Danny"

"Danny", a song written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, which could have been the title of the film. It would be recorded on February 11, 1958, although the track was eventually scrapped and not released until years later.

It was a score that really had nothing to do with the rest of the songs.
Although the interpretation is good, it has nothing to do with the atmosphere of the film, although it tells the story of the protagonist. Very in the style of the moment but it was really a very simple song to be able to represent the film
It was initially thought to give the film a title. But they realized that it was not a song that had a hook, so they had to banish the idea.
The song was removed from the picture and then in 1960, retitled "Lonely Blue Boy", it became a huge international number 1 for Conway Twitty.

It was first published posthumously in Elvis: "A Legendary Performer Vol. 3" in 1978. It has since been featured in the "King Of Rock & Roll" anthology, also on the 1997 RCA re-release of
the soundtrack of 'King Creole' and in 'Essential Elvis Vol. 3'.
https://youtu.be/UPLonXjzChg

"As Long As I Have You"

"As Long As I Have You" by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman
A song composed by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, recorded during the King Creole sessions at Radio Recorders on January 16, 1958.
A wonderful song in the voice of Elvis, sung in a warm and intimate way. With an emotional melody in his voice, Elvis would turn to ballads in a very personal way.

It was initially released on the "King Creole" movie EP and LP. Later in "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2".
A shorter recorded version of the song was used in the film and was first released on "Essential Elvis Vol. 3" in 1991, also includes the vinyl version.
Other versions were also included in "The King Of Rock And Roll" anthology and the 1997 "King Creole" reissue.
Another ballad with a fuller arrangement.
Ben Weisman, one of the two songwriters, said that he was very inspired by Elvis to write and it is true that when you write a score, if you have a particular image or feeling regarding the subject or the person that you are writing for, obviously the song will He comes to unite the interpreter very easily.
When Elvis sings "As Long As I Have You" it was very emotional. If we look at the last scene where his father comes out and Elvis looks at him with tears in his eyes. Really everything would be very well spun in this film, but logically the music helped a lot to give meaning and closeness to the public.
Ben Weisman was lucky enough to have in his possession a wonderful tape where Elvis sang the song "As Long As I Have You", recorded in the studio only for its author.
https://youtu.be/WabQjRiKgSw

"Don't Ask Me Why"

"Don't Ask Me Why" written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, Elvis recorded this ballad on Radio Recorders on January 16, 1958.
Like all ballads, Elvis perfectly dominated this intimate style with great vocal control.

It was the first of the ballads to be recorded. Released as a single with the B-side of "Hard Headed Woman" on June 1, 1958, it peaked at number 28 on the Billboard charts, but peaked at number 2 on the R&B charts and stayed in the Top 100 for nine weeks. total.
After the release of King Creole, it appeared on the soundtrack LP and was subsequently released on "A Touch of Gold EP Vol. 3".
Also on "Worldwide Gold Award Hits vol. 2" and "The King of Rock 'n' Roll."
https://youtu.be/xaVTHLGNaHE

"Steadfast, Loyal and True"
An atypical theme within what are the compositions of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It would be a special request from the director and the producer to be able to listen to a song that could be a school anthem and this is what they did.
Elvis recorded two versions of this simple song.
The film version was recorded on January 16, 1958 at Radio Recorders, and an LP version with overdubs by the Jordanaires (in Nashville, June 19) at the Paramount Soundstage on February 11, 1958.

The song was published on "Elvis Sings Leiber & Stoller" and included in the anthology "The King Of Rock And Roll". The original version was included on "Essential Elvis, vol. 3" in 1991, also on the 1997 re-release of "King Creole" and "Today, tomorrow & Forever".
Elvis sings it in the movie when he is asked to sing his school song. But it is not a song that has great interest.
https://youtu.be/7R3TzSNyUbo

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The Reality of Dreams"The realization. "King Creole"

Elvis was so interested in the film that he read the book before filming began. He believed that this role was decisive for him, because he was going to be absent for two years and this worried him.
Elvis had to cut his sideburns and lose eight kilos to characterize himself in his leading role, at the direction of director Michael Curtiz.
Sometimes he did not understand him well because of his Hungarian accent, but from the first moment Elvis told him that he would do whatever the director asked.

On January 13, 1958, Elvis showed up to carry out the pre-production of the film, he was delighted, he arrived with his gang from Memphis to work on the film.
Elvis was enthusiastic and funny but serious about his role, he would show all his interest in acting and follow the advice of his peers and the director.

King Creole is the best considered film in terms of Elvis Presley's filmography, due to a set of factors that would not come together in later films. The direction by Michael Curtiz, a good director.
The script of the film that was better than the previous and later films. The music with great composers and songs appropriate to the story. Good actors who accompanied the cast and a magnificent interpretation of Elvis Presley who turned to his role as Danny Fisher.

Produced by Hal B. Wallis for Paramount Pictures
The story was adapted from Harold Robbins's 1952 novel A Stone for Danny Fisher.
In the film, the role of Danny Fisher changed his character from a boxer to a singer, and the location was changed from New York to New Orleans. The title was changed due to the strength of the film's main theme, which would be "King Creole".

The Film King Creole

.The film was released on July 2, 1958, with a good reception from critics and his performance. Commercially it would also be a success since it reached number five in the position of highest grossing films by Variety magazine.

Regarding the shooting of the film,
King Creole was filmed out of sequence, that is to say that they did not follow a logical temporal order and as a result, this could give rise to small errors, due to the use of postures in the actors, costumes...

When Elvis sings "Don't Ask Me Why" and "As Long As I Have You", the group behind the band pretends to play saxophones, clarinets and trombones, but these instruments were actually over-recorded for the soundtrack since they don't exist. .

Elvis plays an acoustic guitar that should be electric, pretending to play the solo that Scotty Moore is really playing. This is why he turns with a knowing smile to look at him as he touches Scotty.
Filming for some songs was done with almost no close-ups and was done with very few camera angles.

However in "Trouble" close-ups were requested, after the filming of the song had been done.
Obviously for Michael Curtiz this was a serious film and he would not think of it as a musical, but as a story that is adorned with music since the protagonist is a singer.
There were scenes with songs that were filmed but would later be discarded in the film's montage, such as the song "Danny".

"Steadfast, Loyal And True" or "As Long As I Have You" were recorded in the scene where he first meets Carolyn Jones (Ronnie), to choose which was more suitable.

Scenes that were longer were cut, for example the moment when Elvis took Dolores Hart (Nellie) to the hotel room. It would be cut and never published, only a handful of still images remain.

The environment with the actors, director would be the most suitable to play a good role, since Elvis felt really good.
He was invested in his role as Danny, which he played in a very honest and natural way. There was great potential in him and great talent in his way of acting that did not go unnoticed by anyone, both the director and his fellow actors appreciated it.
The cast is made up of good actors like Walter Matthau in the tough role, Dolores Hart as a naive girl, Carolyn Jones as a femme fatale but deep down sensitive, and Dean Jagger as the weak and ineffective father, the same dynamic as in teen-type films of the time.
Actor Walter Mathew described Elvis as very bright as well as being highly intelligent. He understood his character and how to portray him by simply being himself throughout the story. He was not even exaggerated, at all times he was natural.
Carolyn Jones said that she spent the day asking questions, talking about her family and his house. She suggested that to really learn the trade, he should consider taking acting classes.
Elvis was very excited about this film, for him it represented his great opportunity within the cinematographic medium and he believed that from this film everything would be shot.

Elvis put a lot of energy into his role, his interpretation was very natural and his concern to make it all believable. For Elvis it would be a dream come true to be a real actor and he thought that this film would open the doors for him to play serious roles, but unfortunately he had to do his military service soon.
When he finally saw the movie, Elvis was very proud of his performance and he would always say that this would be the best he ever did.

"Following the Path of the King..."

the soundtrackThe quality of good music."King Creole"

The film's soundtrack was also a well-deserved success. The single "Hard-Headed Woman" reached number one on the Billboard chart, number two on the R&B chart, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The soundtrack LP would go to number two on the Billboard chart. It was certified gold by the RIAA, for sales of 500,000.
Also the two EPs
Volume 1 and Volume 2 also each sold around a million copies.

"An encounter like no other between two rebels"Marlon Brando and Elvis Presley. February 1958

During the breaks in the making of the film "King Creole", Elvis would meet other actors, it was normal, since he could coincide both in the studios and in the dining room. One day he saw Pat Boone in the studios and greeted him singing, Elvis was delighted to have finally seen him in person. Another day at lunchtime he was with Jan Shepard, his partner in the film and they were at the studio restaurant. Next door at a nearby table sat Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti, when Cornel Wilde approached them and asked Elvis for an autograph for his daughter. Elvis was amazed, he still didn't realize his scope as an artist because he said: "Can you believe Cornel Wilde wants my autograph?" Jan told Elvis that Marlon Brando was sitting behind him and looking at them. Elvis got very nervous because he was shaking and didn't dare turn around. Jan told him when they got up to push the chair to give him a chance to have a excuse to introduce He did so and finally they shook hands and greeted each other, when they were leaving Elvis said: "My goodness, I shook hands with Marlon Brando!" The legendary rebel Marlon Brando was one of the favorite actors of Elvis, his movies as well as James Dean, who was his favourite. Everything related to him as an actor called Marlon Brando's attention, his appearance on the screen, his rude attitude. He was like James Dean, whom he admired and was very sorry for his death, because Elvis would have wanted to meet him. But Marlon Brando was alive and Elvis had a dream of meeting him at some point, face to face. This wish came true in February 1958, at the end of his stay in Hollywood. Although the two greeted each other and spoke for a moment, neither showed importance to the meeting, nor the real emotion they felt for meeting in person. After this Marlon Brando walked away while Elvis sat down again. They never became friends, but it would really be difficult, since Elvis would go out on several occasions with Rita Moreno, the actress who had also dated Marlon. Rita Monero would say that she went out with Elvis to make Marlon jealous, that he had been unfaithful and with whom she had a complex relationship for eight years. This could be the reason that a friendship that could have been entirely logical did not come later. But it is true that the temperament of Elvis and Marlon Brando was very different, since despite the image of him as a rebel, Elvis was a person who normally accepted the rules and always tried to do the right thing and Marlon was not like that at all. Brando was a true rebel since he was a teenager, his attitude was really contradictory and he always did what he wanted despite the consequences. The two were shocked by the luck to see each other at this moment, since the two admired each other for their style, their interpretation and their special difference from the rest of the medium. They were two incomparable artists who, due to different circumstances, would be considered two rebels at the time. Unfortunately, there are no photographs of this meeting or of any other that could have taken after this. "Following the King's Path..."

LP "Elvis´Golden Records"
March 21, 1958

Compilation album by American musician Elvis Presley, released by the RCA Victor record company in March 1958.
It reached number 3 on the Billboard charts. Elvis enjoys reasonable success eventually selling close to six million sales in the United States alone. It was the first of four compilation albums, it was certified gold on October 17, 1961 and platinum on May 20, 1988 by the RIAA.
It compiles Elvis's hits during the years 1956 and 1957, in the absence of new material, since Elvis would begin his military service. Currently 6 times platinum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9awp8E2uX6M

The beginning of a parenthesis in the life of Elvis Presley
Military service

March 24, 1958
Elvis Presley had to appear before the draft board where he will meet with twelve other recruits to transfer them to the bus that will take them to the Kennedy Veterans Memorial Hospital. To say goodbye to him, Anita Wood, his girlfriend at the time and his parents along with some friends, accompanied him. There was also Colonel Parker who was advertising the movie Elvis had made, handing out "King Creole" balloons to the people who had come to see Elvis.
After a physical exam they would take the army bus to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.
Along the way, Elvis meets Rex Mansfield, from Dresden, Tennessee, who is taken aback by one of his closest friends in the military.
On this day, they cut their hair in the traditional way in front of reporters and photographers, who were evidently there to take note of everything that was happening and because it was great news. Elvis makes a silly comment because he can't say anything else... "Hair today, the day after tomorrow"
He is assigned to the 2nd Armored Division, General Patton's "Hell on Wheels" team, stationed at Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas. On the 28th he begins his training that will last six months before being sent to Germany.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGA2nOXyrxs
What for any young man like Elvis would be private, for poor Elvis was a kind of circus around him, who kept taking photos and taking notes of how he undressed, they did tests, cut his hair and swore before the flag. Obviously, if he already had confusion, all this, although it was publicity to keep his public informed, for Elvis it would be one more nuisance and even a little humiliating, since it was no longer a movie or a performance, but his own life.

All this happened for Elvis a radical change of situation and of course customs in his usual life. What would be normal for a young man who has to do military service would be harder for him, because he was giving up his success at the top, despite those who still did not accept him, because he had won over his audience, which was the majority and left everything behind for two years that would come with doubts and uncertainty.
Elvis Presley had not known any different treatment nor did he want favoritism, because he only expected to be one more like the other soldiers.
However, RCA and Steve Sholes, its producer, were restless and really worried because it would be difficult from now on to release new material, unless they took advantage of some permission from Elvis, to be able to record.
They had published a few days before a new LP that brought together fourteen songs, Elvis's most successful to date, "Elvis'Golden Records". It was unknown to everyone what was going to happen in the absence of his most important artist and there was much confusion. But the intention was to have the public entertained with already known material and with the new Elvis film.
It was a hiatus in Elvis's life that could take its toll on his career as an artist, since two years was a long time away in between. Anything could happen...
"Following the King's Way..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XwKHBSuQEA

ELVIS PRESLEY. 1958

Year 1958. "A door to Hope".
"King Creole"

January 1958
Opportunity and Uncertainty

"King Creole" recording sessions