Thomas Andrew Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk; June 26, 1909 January 21, 1997),[1] commonly known as Colonel Parker, was a Dutch musical entrepreneur, best known for being Elvis Presley's manager. Never one to miss an opportunity to make money off of his prized client, Colonel Tom Parker jumped on Elvis' death as a marketing cash grab. [26] Parker, with his 25% share of profits, found ways to make money from his artist that other managers before him had never thought of. In the end, both Elvis and Colonel Parker shared a tragic journey that mirrored their working relationship. The 19 years of silence that his mysterious correspondent mentioned took the story as far back as 1961exactly the year that the Van Kuijk family had made contract with Parker, and Ad van Kuijk. He died in 1997 at the age of 87. After a heated argument between the two, Presley told Parker he was fired. [72], His funeral was held at the Hilton Hotel and was attended by a handful of friends and former associates, including Eddy Arnold and Sam Phillips. In 1963, Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's audacious manager who had gotten his start selling candy apples in carnivals, read in the paper that Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential yacht, the U.S.S. Presley remembered the event as one of the worst moments of his career. [15] Parker and Snow eventually formed Hank Snow Enterprises and Jamboree Attractions, a successful promotional outfit for up-and-coming country singers. Presley's first manager was Scotty Moore, the guitarist in his band, who was encouraged by Sun Records owner Sam Phillips to become Presley's manager to protect Elvis from unscrupulous music promoters. [35] He sent Presley's friends to keep him company, arranged for business associates to watch over him while they were working in Europe, and kept in regular contact with him. [4], In 1935, Parker married 27-year-old Marie Francis Mott. Parker remained Elvis' manager until Presley's death in 1977. After Presley showed signs of rebellion again in 1966 and because of his flagging career, Parker decided that it was time for a new approach: marriage. [8] This may have motivated Parker to avoid seeking a passport, as the Netherlands has an active extradition treaty with the United States, and he may have wanted to avoid criminal arrest by Dutch authorities. However, it would be a quiet wedding. So the uncompromising Colonel told her that Elvis couldn't cover the track as those were the terms. The Colonel was well-known as a strong promoter that frequently leaned into exploitation. However, there were some interesting omissions from the award announcements. [61], As Presley's fame grew, people became interested in Parker as well. Stories of managerial terrorism abound in music history. . [18] Neal was struggling at the time to accommodate his new client's success, and in February 1955, following a meeting with Parker, Presley agreed to let Parker take some control of future bookings and promotions. Hanks said, "I was anticipating hearing horror stories about this venal, cheap crook. Colonel Tom Parker, as played by Tom Hanks in Elvis, was the controversial manager of singer Elvis Presley (played by Austin Butler) with a mysterious past who had a key role in both The King's . The two had become almost strangers, and false reports in the media suggested that Presley's contract was up for sale. Later, in 1983, Parker admitted during an interview that after 1966, the income from Presley films and soundtracks was dramatically reduced. He also assisted Jimmie Davis' campaign to become Governor of Louisiana. [52] In Las Vegas, he was starting to appear drugged on stage, slurring his words and forgetting song lyrics. The iconic singer has never truly left the headlines, even though he died four decades ago. However, that was not the case since Elvis was still under contract to Bob Neal. Tom discovered the then-unknown 20-year-old Elvis Presley in 1955. While proving to be a frequent challenge for Parker, Elvis and the Colonel stuck together. [12] He was a successful promoter, but he wanted to move into management.[12]. [18] A one-year management contract with Presley provided Moore with a 10-percent commission, which Moore said he never took. But according to Alanna Nashwho spent time with the real Colonel in the '90sthere were times when he was just as scary as what you see onscreen. [49] Sherman had read in news accounts that there was to be no charge for admittance to the concerts, a donation to charity being required instead. Colonel Parker died in 1997 in Las Vegas after suffering a stroke at 87 years old, outliving Elvis by 20 years. Snow eventually led Parker to Elvis Presley. He was believed to have been in debt to the Las Vegas Hilton for over $30 million at one point, which led to his eviction from the property after Elvis' death. [4], Parker had worked as a "consultant" for Hilton Hotels since Presley's death,[60] with some believing he was working to pay off debts owed to the casino from his gambling during Presley's performances there. The document that was signed on November 21 pertained to the record label transfer. He's a very smart man. According to financial documents, Parker took nearly half of Elvis' income, which is an indication that the singer's lifestyle was heavily reliant on debt. First, Baz Luhrmann joined a list of directors including Joe Wright, Frank Darabont, and Lawrence Kasdan as someone who had two Best Picture nominations but didn't get a Best Director nomination either time. [1], Parker was born as Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk on June 26, 1909, in Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands,[4] and was the seventh of eleven children. But, after he gave a detailed invoice to Elvis, the star realized he couldn't pay Parker, so they continued collaborating. In 1983, he was paid $2 million dollars in an out-of-court settlement, which had him turn over any and all audio and video recordings he had of Elvis and terminated his involvement in any Elvis-related earnings for five years. Despite Parker's troubling exploitation of Presley, though,. Parker was still worried that Presley would return to nothing, that the public would have found a new star to fawn over by then, and that his golden goose would be reduced to nothing more than a "has-been".[35]. Tom Parker didn't enjoy a good reputation even after being associated with one of the legendary artists that history has ever seen. Elvis is signed exclusively to the Colonel. [56] Other accounts suggest he slumped in his chair at his office, muttered, "Oh, dear God", and then quickly phoned Vernon Presley, where Parker advised Presley's father that his son's image needed to be protected. [55] Although Parker publicly denied these claims, he had been in talks with Peter Grant, the manager of Led Zeppelin, about the possibility of him overseeing a European tour for Presley. [29] Some viewed him as a clown-like figure, wiggling his hips for screams, while others found him vulgar and more suitable for late-night gentleman's clubs. [11][10], Parker first became involved in the music industry as a music promoter in 1938, working with the popular singer Gene Austin. Parker was looking ahead when he persuaded Presley to sign up as a Soldier. [33] If Presley could show the world that he the same as any other young man, Parker told him, then more people would accept him and his music. Elvis picked up an impressive seven Oscar nominations. [52], In February 1975, during his engagement in Las Vegas, Presley, along with Parker, met with Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters. Imagine owing anyone $146.6 million dollars. Adam van Kuijk died from emphysema in 1992, never seeing or visiting Parker again.[63]. Elvis: The Controversy Behind Colonel Tom Parker Explained, Elvis Cast Guide: What The Characters Look Like In Real Life, illegal immigrant (the theme of the Netflix series, Elvis True Story: Who Was Orion? [33] [37] For the first few years Presley's films were somewhat successful, his albums topped the charts, and any singles that were released were mostly hits. [37] Parker signed long-term contracts with the film studios,[39] possibly to guarantee work and income for both him and Presley. [65] Marie was one of six children,[65] had been married twice before, and had a son from her first marriage. [34] He was upset about the possibility that would affect his career, but Parker was secretly overjoyed. What Really Happened To Colonel Tom Parker? [53] According to Parker himself, he did privately attempt to talk to his client a number of times about the matter, but allegedly every time Parker casually told Presley to quit or at least tone it down with the pill popping and binge eating, Presley would respond by telling Parker to stay out of his personal business. The killing happened a few streets from where the Van Kuijk family lived, and Parker had been hired to make deliveries from this and other grocery stores in the area. I had a different layer of expectations," the actor said. The actor won his first Oscar for Philadelphia, where he played an AIDs-afflicted lawyer, losing significant weight to portray the character's declining health. [33], Presley had been showing signs of rebellion against Parker, and Parker believed that a stint in the Army would cure him of this. Austin had spent much of his fortune on partying, cars, mansions, and women, and his popularity had been eclipsed by other singers, such as Bing Crosby. He claimed Parker negotiated side deals with RCA that defrauded Presley of $2.8 million. [50] Presley's main doctor, George C. Nichopoulos, would often replace Presley's medication with placebos in an attempt to wean him off the drugs. Tom Hanks' portrayal of Elvis' manager Colonel Tom Parker in the 2022 biopic created controversy - here's the true story behind Hanks' Tom Parker. Presley's acting career was originally intended to be a serious one, but after seeing a chance to cross-promote singles and albums with the films, Parker persuaded Presley to sing in his films. He then did the unthinkable, convincing Elvis' father, Vernon, to sign over control of Elvis' movie and singing "career" to him. [14] With the Society in need of funds, Parker set about using his promotional experience to raise money and awareness for the shelter. "Last Train to Memphis". [44] These live performances, as well as being financially satisfying, also allowed Parker to fulfill Presley's recording contract with RCA Victor. Elvis had gone to the home of an employee he liked, whose wife was dying from cancer, and Hilton terminated the employee because of a rule banning any contact between employees and hotel talent . The contract, dated July 12, 1954, eight days after their first recording session, was signed by Presley and his parents. Born as Andreas Cornelis Dries van Kuijk in the Netherlands, the Tom Hanks Tom Parker portrayal saw him illegally immigrate to the United States, finding employment as a carnival worker before joining the Army, where he was eventually discharged after going AWOL. [53], From 1974 onward, Presley's weight gain and prescription drug abuse became too much to be controlled. [33] Parker, on the other hand, was fully aware that any special treatment given to Presley would instantly be used against him in the media and by those who disliked his style of music. p. 258. [15], Parker and Neal worked together to promote Presley, using their own Hank Snow Tour to book him and tour him. In early 1929, a 23-year-old newlywed woman, Anna van den Enden, was found beaten to death in the living quarters behind a greengrocer store. [43] A breakfast reception was arranged, taking place after the media got their photographs of the couple. Gaining or losing weight, taking on accents, and experimenting in a variety of genres that pushed his limits as an actor, Hanks has built a career out of challenging roles. None of the rules of the relationship was operative any longer, yet neither had the courage to walk away, for a variety of reasons." Parker privately acknowledged his brother and even introduced him to Presley. [4] A year later at 18, with enough money to sustain him for a short period, he entered America illegally by jumping ship from his employer's vessel. Colonel Parker was a very complicated person, and his . [16] In the drama, the role of Sands was portrayed as a "twisted psychopath". [41], To make up for lack of earnings, Parker arranged for Presley's gold Cadillac to go on tour. Their's was probably the most unique artist-manager relationship ever in show business, clearly one of the most successful. Dolly admitted: "I cried all night. [18] When the contract expired, the Memphis radio personality Bob Neal stepped in and made a deal with Phillips to become Presley's manager. Parker found ways to market Elvis through merchandise, TV appearances, and films, always working in some kind of cross-promotion to make more money off the endeavor. [48], Aloha from Hawaii proved to be the last great moment in Presley's career. From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis, Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances, Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II, Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology, The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters, From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters, Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters, Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings, The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colonel_Tom_Parker&oldid=1141644408, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from April 2020, All articles needing additional references, Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from December 2022, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2023, Articles needing additional references from February 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 02:32. [4] It was later revealed that Presley owned 22% of the company, Parker owned 56%, and the final 22% was made up of various business associates. [5] However, Judge Joseph Evans, aware that Lisa Marie Presley was still a minor, appointed attorney Blanchard E. Tual to investigate Parker's management. Parker's main role during these tours was to plan the logistics and make sure tickets were sold. Later in 1975, the government of Saudi Arabia offered Parker $5 million for Presley to perform there. [60] On the surface, however, relations between the two were as good as ever, with Parker helping the Hilton to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Presley's death. [50] However, it wasn't long before Presley was able to find other doctors to meet his demands. Never one to miss an opportunity to make money off of his prized client, Colonel Tom Parker jumped on Elvis' death as a marketing cash grab. [53] Hulett's company had managed tours for Presley, and he had worked with artists such as Led Zeppelin. Parker realized early on the bigger potential of Austin Butler's Elvis and transitioned to managing him full-time. Baz Luhrmann's musical biopic Elvis explores the eponymous singer's career, leading up to his tragic death, and one of the characters that has caused a fair amount of controversy is Elvis and the Colonel, Tom Parker. [9] He began to build up a list of contacts that would prove valuable in later years. "[27][28], Parker signed a deal with Beverly Hills film merchandiser Hank Saperstein for nearly $40,000 to turn Presley into a brand name. Snow attended the signing, thinking that Elvis had signed a management contract with Jamboree Attractions, which he owned with Parker. Parker had unknowingly backed himself into a financial corner. He received more than half of the income from Elvis's early success, which at the time was an unprecedented figure. You're going to be a star.'"[71]. [26] By the summer Presley had become one of the most famous new faces of the year, causing excitement among the new teenage audience and outrage among some older audiences and religious groups. Their instincts were proven right; the TV special proved an enormous hit, and the album that was released featuring performances from the special became a best-seller, but the comeback special was interrupted when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968. [44] He offered RCA Records the opportunity to buy Presley's entire back catalog for $5.4 million.
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