It has been 46 years since Elvis Presley passed away on August 16. It is not just fans who will remember him, but those who got to know the man behind the music as well.

After befriending Elvis Presley during his enlistment in the Army, Johnny Lang wrote “My Army Days with Elvis: Friendship, Football, & Follies,” a memoir of their friendship. 

In an exclusive interview, Lang revealed he was inspired to write the novel after watching Austin Butler’s “outstanding” performance in “Elvis.”

Lang responded, “I was inspired by this,” after seeing the video.

The wild memories he shared with Elvis lasted a lifetime. Lang cherishes the close bond he formed with the “Jailhouse Rock” singer after spending hours in training and playing football together.

While Elvis was drafted into the Army in 1958, Lang volunteered for the service, which was common at the time. In contrast, Presley had thousands of fans across the country because of the “Heartbreak Hotel” album and his Las Vegas residency.

He first spoke with Elvis before they were due to hop on the USS Randolph to Germany on a train headed to New Jersey. Lang had seen Elvis on the Fort Hood firing range in Texas.