If you cut his side burns off we will just die!
Three distressed Elvis fans write to the President
On March 24th of 1958, on what was named “Black Monday” by many of his distraught followers, 22-year-old Elvis Presley was inducted into the U.S. Army. Worse still, he was to be stationed many miles away, in Germany, where he would stay until being discharged two years later. Naturally, Presley’s fans became consumed with panic and spent much of their time speculating about his future, some even aiming for the top by sending urgent mail to the White House in an effort to keep Elvis away from harm. This letter is just one of thousands, sent to President Eisenhower in 1958 by three female fans seemingly resigned to their idol's U.S. Army induction, but not to suspected changes to his physical appearance.

Box 755
Noxon, MontDear President Eisenhower,
My girlfriend’s and I are writting all the way from Montana, We think its bad enough to send Elvis Presley in the Army, but if you cut his side burns off we will just die! You don’t no how we fell about him, I really don’t see why you have to send him in the Army at all, but we beg you please please don’t give him a G.I. hair cut, oh please please don’t! If you do we will just about die!
Elvis Presley Lovers
Linda Kelly
Sherry Bane
Mickie MattsonPresley
Presley
IS OUR CRY
P-R-E-S-L-E-Y
This letter can be found in the original Letters of Note book, signed copies of which can be purchased directly from us and sent pretty much anywhere. More info here. You can also watch this letter being read by Olivia Colman at Letters Live, here.