When Private Elvis Presley shipped out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard on his way to his military tour of duty in West Germany in September 1958, the US Army’s brass band played “Hound Dog” to honor the King of Rock and Roll.

“And the captains and the majors helped him with his bags!” said Bill Ray, the former LIFE Magazine photographer who captured the moment.

Elvis postage stamps are released by the U.S. Postal Service. In 1992, the U.S. Postal Service announced that Elvis’ image would be used for a commemorative postage stamp. The Postal Service narrowed the artwork choices down to two images - one of Elvis in the 1950’s as a sizzling young rocker, and one of the singer in a suit as a concert superstar in his 1973 "Aloha from Hawaii" special. In an unprecedented move, the USPS put the decision to the American people and distributed ballots coast to coast. Over 1.2 million votes were cast and the image of the young rocker won. The stamp was released on January 8, 1993, with extravagant first day of issue ceremonies at Graceland. Elvis postage stamps are the most widely publicized stamp issue in the history of the U.S. Postal Service and it is the top selling commemorative postage stamp of all time. The USPS printed 500 million of them, three times the usual print run for a commemorative stamp. Several countries outside the U.S. also have issued Elvis postage stamps over the years–a tribute to his status as an international music star.

DECEMBER 2 - 12, 1976

Elvis plays the Hilton in Vegas for the last time. Evangelist Rex Humbard and his wife visit Elvis’ show and meet with him backstage on December 12, 1976. Humbard will be asked to speak at Elvis’ funeral the next year.

MARCH 10 - 12, 1975

Elvis records material for the “Today” album at RCA’s Sunset Blvd. Studio.

Elvis’ live recording of "How Great Thou Art" from the album recorded at one of his Memphis concerts on March 20, 1974, wins the Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance. This is Elvis’ third and final Grammy win out of fourteen nominations (one nomination posthumously). All three Grammy wins have been for his gospel music

Elvis and Tom Parker

Today I stumbled from my bed

With thunder crashing in my head

My pillow still wet

From last night's tears

And as I think of giving up

A voice inside my coffee cup

Kept crying out

Ringing in my ears

Don't cry, daddy

Daddy, please don't cry

Daddy, you've still got me and little Tommy

And together we'll find a brand new mommy

Daddy, daddy, please laugh again

Daddy, ride us on your back again

Oh, daddy, please, don't cry

Why are children always first

To feel the pain and the hurt the worst?

It's true but somehow

It just don't seem right

'Cause every time I cry, I know

It hurts my little children, so I wonder

Will it be the same tonight?

Don't cry, daddy

Daddy, please don't cry

Daddy, you've still got me and little Tommy

And together we'll find a brand new mommy

Daddy, daddy, please laugh again

Daddy, ride us on your back again

Oh, daddy, please, don't cry

Oh, daddy, please don't cry