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without a moment of hesitation, or an instance of reservation, never wanting or recieving any preferential treatment whatsoever. He was stationed with NATO Forces over in West Germany. Interestingly, it was there where Elvis would meet his future wife Priscilla.

Once Elvis was honorably discharged from the Army in 1960, he couldn't wait to get back to performing live in front of an audience. He was so incredibly eager to start his career up right where it had left off. However, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, had different things in mind. He wanted Elvis to sign a series of movie contracts that would make him financially secure for the rest of his life. Although somewhat reluctant to do so, Elvis did sign the contracts, and for the next eight years, made movies with many Hollywood Stars such as Ann Margaret.

Once the movie contracts had expired, Elvis eagerly returned to performing live on stage. He would say later that he missed the closeness of an audience, which was something that the movies denied him.

Being away from entertaining for almost one solid decade, caused many critics to be highly skeptical upon Elvis's return. They felt that his musical career was dead. They could not have been more wrong. For, he would make a stunning and spectacular comeback in late 1968. In a televised Christmas special, Elvis, dressed in a black leather jumpsuit, performed live with some of his old band members. He sang all of his old hits from the 1950's, including an updated version of "Hound Dog", one of his signature hits. With intense energy and unmistakable passion, he recaptured the spirit of the old glory days of Rock-N-Roll. It was simply spectacular. Elvis had gained a whole new generation of fans. He was back. His career had been reborn.

The following summer, Elvis mad a triumphant return to Las Vegas. He performed at the International Hotel in August of 1969 in a special called, "That's The Way It Is". During the six day concert, he debuted many new hits usch as, "Suspicious Minds" and "In The Ghetto". The crowds went wild for him. "Thats The Way It Is" was such a huge hit, Elvis returned the very next year to do it all over again. And this time, it was an even bigger hit with audiences.

Perhaps Elvis's most memorable performance took place in the summer of 1973, when he performed live via satellite, from Honolulu, Hawaii. This was the very first time in history that an entertainer had performed via satellite. It was so incredible, that an estimated one billion people viwed the concert world wide. In a beautiful, heart felt gesture, proceeds from the concert went to the American Cancer Society. This epitomized the giving and caring nature of the man. The Honolulu event may have been Elvis's finest hour. He had never been better.

Tragically, four years later, Elvis Presley died at his home in Memphis, Tennessee of a heart attack. It was a sad day for the music world. He left behind a music legacy that has never been, and never will be equalled. He had over 50 top 100 hits, and 31 Number 1 hits as well. Both are records that will never be touched.

The world of entertainment has given us many great performers over the years. However, one could make a very strong argument that Elvis Presley was the greatest of all of them.

Learn more about this author, TIMOTHY J. THOMPSON.
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