Don’t quote me, but in trying to track down the tipping point between “fat Elvis and skinny Elvis” there was a distinction, not precisely the late ‘50s to early ‘70s — but maybe cerebral, and maybe the army stint.
Elvis Presley served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960. At the time of his enlistment, he was widely regarded as the most well-known name in the world of entertainment. Before entering the Army, Presley had caused national outrage with his rock and roll music.
And by now his mother had lost her battle with the bottle. Elvis threatened he’d go AWOL if he wasn’t given a pass to be by her side.
So maybe let’s say, Skinny Elvis went in to the Army and Fat Elvis came out. This is my thinking, that Elvis saw life differently — no more hound dog. Drugs as a way of life — cryin’ all the time.