Before entering the Army Presley had caused national outrage with his sexually charged performances and rock and roll music. Many parents, religious leaders, and teachers groups saw his draft, removing him from public view, as a positive thing. Despite being offered the chance to enlist in Special Services to entertain the troops and live in priority housing, Presley decided to serve as a regular soldier. This earned him the respect of many of his fellow soldiers and people back home who had previously viewed him in a negative light.
During his service Presley's life was affected in several ways. First, his mother, Gladys, died of a heart attack brought on by acute hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. Presley was deeply affected by her death and would never fully recover. Secondly, during his time in Germany, he would meet his future wife Priscilla Beaulieu. Also, while in Germany, Presley began to become dependent on uppers and downers. These drugs, and more importantly the drugs they would lead onto, would eventually contribute to Presley's death at age 42.
After his release from the army Presley found a new fan base among an older age group, thanks in part to his army career and releases of ballads over rock and roll songs.
