Elvis: a GI in Germany
Rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley spent less than 18 months in Germany - from October 1958 to March1960 - but his presence left an indelible mark on the small Hessian town where he was stationed with the US army.
Arrival in Friedberg
He came, he saw, he rocked: On October 1, 1958, Elvis Presley docked in the port of Bremerhaven aboard the USS General Randall to serve with the US military in Germany. From there, he traveled by train to the American base in Friedberg near Frankfurt, where fans and the press gave him a rousing welcome. With more than 50 million records sold, Elvis was already an international star.
Military duties
On October 2, the "King" moved into Ray Barracks in Friedberg. His room was in building 3707. Elvis served his 18 months of military duty in an armored tank unit. Thanks to his superiors, however, Private Presley enjoyed a few perks and had only limited duties. The star quickly swapped his barracks for a hotel and later an apartment in the neighboring town of Bad Nauheim.
German teen magazines
Elvis's grandmother, Minnie Mae, his father, Vernon, and two bodyguards accompanied him to Germany. They first lived in the Hotel Grunewald in Bad Nauheim before moving to Goethestrasse 14. Elvis's only refuge was in his room, where he frequently read German pop culture magazines, like Bravo. He was often besieged by fans, but patiently gave autographs and found a few kind words for everyone.
Autograph hunters
Day and night, teenage fans waited to catch a glimpse of the King. And those who waited long enough were rewarded: Elvis never denied anyone his much sought-after signature. In particular, the teenage girls were thoroughly enamored. His famous swivelling hips were all the rage and his schmaltzy crooning made many a female heart beat faster.
Memories revisited
Angelika Springauf was one of the teenage fans encamped in front of Elvis' house in Bad Nauheim. Decades later, she proudly posed beside an old photo showing her standing next to Elvis. Even today, die-hard fans in the town nurse their memories of the rock 'n' roll legend.
A visit among colleagues
When Bill Haley launched his European tour in Frankfurt in October 1958, Elvis paid him a visit in his dressing room. And, as always, the press was there. Haley and Presley are considered the fathers of rock 'n' roll. The older generation in Germany was suspicious of this new-fangled music from America, but the youngsters were enthralled by the new sound from across the pond.
Recreation rather than reveille
During his stint in the US army in Germany, Elvis was more interested in hot cars and pretty women than the rigors of military duty. In this picture, Uschi Siebert, the 1958 beauty queen in the state of Hesse, presented Elvis with the keys to the BMW 507 sports car that race driver Hans-Joachim Stuck had steered to victory on several occasions.
Young love
In 1959, while in Germany, Elvis met his future wife. Priscilla Beaulieu was just 14 when her stepfather, an Air Force officer, was transfered to Bad Nauheim. Currie Grant, manager of the Eagle’s Club and a friend of the family, took Priscilla to parties at Elvis's domicile in the Goethestrasse. The wedding didn't happen until eight years later.
"Muss i denn..."
The popular soldier's farewell tune "Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus" was at least 200 years old. But the song's triumphant march around the globe didn't come until Elvis sang his version, "Wooden Heart." The King sang it in English with a German refrain. It was heard for the first time in 1960 in the movie "G. I. Blues," a homage to Presley's tour of duty in Germany.
Way back home
On March 2,1960, Presley's tour of duty in Bad Nauheim came to an end. He flew back home and never returned to Germany. But his presence is still felt today in the Hessian town with an Elvis monument, Elvis Square and Elvis "Walk of Fame." And, with the European Elvis Festival, residents of Bad Nauheim bring the King back to life in his "European home" year after year.