[41], On January 2, 1967, Parker re-negotiated his managerial/agent contract with Presley, persuading him to increase Parker's share from 25% to 50% on certain transactions. 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. He quickly became the singer's sole representative, and within months he had won Elvis a recording contract with RCA Victor.. [15] However, RCA Victor producer Steve Sholes was convinced that Presley's style of music would be a huge hit with the right label, and he began talks with Parker. In any case, Parker remained Presley's manager without a break until Presley's death in 1977. He arranged for Presley to appear on popular television shows, such as The Milton Berle Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, securing fees that made Presley the highest-paid star on television. Elvis picked up an impressive seven Oscar nominations. RCA was eager for Presley to record in West Germany, but Parker insisted that it would ruin his reputation as a regular soldier if he was able to go into a recording studio. He attended Elvis funeral dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and baseball cap, avoiding any display of emotion. And now I need to locate my wallet, because I noticed there was no ticket booth on the way in here, but I'm sure that the Colonel must have arranged for some toll on the way out. [4] He enlisted in the United States Army a few months later, taking the name "Tom Parker" from the same name of the officer who interviewed him, to disguise the fact he was an illegal alien. [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. Parker made his last public appearances in 1994. [36] If Parker had had any doubts about his return, they were soon gone when he witnessed the turnout along the route. [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. During the 1960s, after many years of ill health, Marie began to display signs of dementia. [4] From about 1931 until 1938, he worked as a "carny" with Royal American Shows. [53] Parker, who had always dealt with Presley's film contracts and viewed the offer as a starting bid to earning more money, instead asked for a salary $1 million ($5,035,869 in 2021 dollars[11]), 50% of the profits, plus another $100,000 ($503,587 in 2021 dollars[11]) for expenses, and spoke of needing to arrange details of a soundtrack deal. In the early days of their marriage, Marie and Parker worked together in the carnivals. [60] However, he did occasionally bother them by criticizing some decisions. [72] Priscilla Presley attended the funeral to represent the Elvis Presley Estate and gave a eulogy that, to many in the room, summed up Parker: "Elvis and the Colonel made history together, and the world is richer, better and far more interesting because of their collaboration. The Amazing Comeback Of Colonel Tom Parker "Colonel Tom Parker managed Elvis Presley's career from 1955 to 1977. And when he said that, I said, 'Oh, well, okay, now that's brand new.". The actor wore a fat suit and heavy make-up to appear more like Parker, but the real performance came in the mannerisms, accent, and presence of Hanks embodying Elvis' manager. [50] However, it wasn't long before Presley was able to find other doctors to meet his demands. [58], Following Presley's death, Parker set up a licensing operation with Factors Etc. His films still made money and his albums still sold well, but the profits were falling. [12] He was a successful promoter, but he wanted to move into management.[12]. what happened to jackie bradley in heartbeat. Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's . Parker was a svengali who exerted an extreme amount of control over his charge's career, and took enormous 25 to 50% in commission. Parker struggled with a gambling addiction while keeping Elvis on a short leash, halting the singer from touring overseas and pushing him into cheap projects that were frequently averse to what the artist wanted to be a part of, eventually taking 50% of Elvis' earnings, of which they both agreed upon. However, it would be a quiet wedding. He suggested to Parker that, as Presley had recorded and was still performing the song "I'll Remember You" written by Kui Lee, the donations could go to the Kui Lee Cancer Fund that had been set up following the death of the songwriter in 1966. [4] Priscilla and the Trust were prepared to let Parker continue to handle Presley's business affairs, and petitioned the court to that end. [15] RCA made it clear it were unwilling to go above $25,000 for a practically unknown singer,[15] but Parker persuaded them that Presley was no ordinary unknown singer. During the interview, Parker said that he was not aware that another one of his sisters, Adriana van Kuijk, had died in the Netherlands a few years before. Parker decided that Las Vegas was the perfect place to do it,[41] and on May 1, 1967, the couple were married in a ceremony that lasted only eight minutes and had a handful of guests. Parker suffered a stroke on Jan. 20, 1997 and died the next morning at a hospital in Las Vegas. The pattern that Parker would traditionally follow was affordability and profit over quality, which would eventually help to torpedo Elvis' career for a time. The Elvis Presley manager did a lot of controversial things during his time in show business, and the Baz Luhrmann movie reveals just how much of a monster he really was. [16], Eddy Arnold fired Parker in 1953 over Parker's growing involvement with the singer Hank Snow. [35] Parker had declined to travel to Europe, denying that he spoke any language other than English. I quit! There are probably a number of reasons for this. Thomas Andrew Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk; June 26, 1909 - January 21, 1997), commonly known as Colonel Parker, was a Dutch musical entrepreneur, best known for being Elvis Presley's manager.. Parker, who was born in the Netherlands, entered the United States illegally when he was 20 years old. You're going to be a star.'"[71]. 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. The talks had included details about European tours, and buying out Presley's contract would not have been a problem for Hulett and his company. Coupled with the fact that the character of Tom Hanks' Tom Parker isn't his usual role, and Hanks was eager to play the part. Related: Why Elvis' Reviews Are So Positive. Even so, he continued to sell out shows and hit the Top 10 charts. 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. The Elvis manager certainly had some unethical practices when it came to the King of Rock n Roll, and many were shocked upon viewing the film to find out that this was the case. [50] Author Alanna Nash suggests that one of the reasons Parker didn't do more is because he may have just not known how to handle the situation. [16] Parker had intended to mold Sands into the next Roy Rogers, but Sands had no interest in such a plan. Tom Parker died in 1997. Oh, I just pictured Elvis, like, singing it. [4] It is believed that Parker lost at least $1 million a year from gambling. [7] As a boy, he worked as a barker at carnivals in his hometown, learning many of the skills that he would require later while working in the entertainment industry. [60], The disputes with the Presley estate did not terminate Parker's association with Presley. He is passionate about film, comics, TV and spends way too much on collectibles. Potomac, was going to be salvaged. Mourners recall being surprised at his wearing a Hawaiian shirt and baseball cap, smoking his trademark cigar, and purposely avoiding the casket. In January 1979, it was discovered that Presley had lost out on royalties for songs on which he had been listed as an author or composer because Parker had unwisely advised him not to sign up to ASCAP or its younger competitor, BMI. After a lifetime of earning well over $100 million managing Elvis, The Colonel's estate was barely worth $1 million upon his death. The Masked Lookalike Explained, Every Baz Luhrmann Movie, Ranked According To Box Office Mojo, Tom Hanks' Tom Parker isn't his usual role. "[60], In 1994, a Golden Palm Star on the Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California, was dedicated to him. He influenced Presley's personal life, including Presley's decisions to accept military service in 1958 and to marry Priscilla Beaulieu in 1967. 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. However, the tide wasn't actually changed until a 1968 TV special, produced by Scott Binder, put Elvis the singer back on top, while simultaneously showing the Colonel how close he was to losing the singer to another producer. He received more than half of the income from Elvis's early success, which at the time was an unprecedented figure. The contract, dated July 12, 1954, eight days after their first recording session, was signed by Presley and his parents. [citation needed] After a cold reception during his first few shows,[30] Parker cut Presley's appearance to two weeks. Reportedly, Hanks was approached by movie director Baz Luhrmann, and after a short conversation, the actor was hooked. [16] Soon after, Sands' song "Teen-Age Crush" reached number 2 on the pop charts, eventually selling 800,000 copies. Parker's cut of Presley's earnings was typically 50%, and by the time Presley died in 1977, Parker had earned an estimated $40 million from his share of Presley's income. [59] Experts in the field at the time estimated that it had potentially cost Presley millions of dollars[59] and worse for Parker, it had also potentially cost him those millions of dollars. Also to die at a similar age of either heart or lung problems were Elvis' mother Gladys and three of her brothers. For his part, Parker himself died with a net worth of $1 million, or roughly . [48], Aloha from Hawaii proved to be the last great moment in Presley's career. [18] According to Moore, Presley agreed to take 50 percent, with Moore and Black splitting the other 50 percent. [37] He envisioned him as an entertainment machine, pumping out three films and soundtracks a year, until the end of the decade. [32], In 1957, Parker finally managed to give Tommy Sands his big break by arranging for him to audition for and star in The Singin' Idol, a drama for NBC that was loosely based on the life and career of Presley. Related: Elvis True Story: Who Was Orion? In the end, both Elvis and Colonel Parker shared a tragic journey that mirrored their working relationship. In May 1973, in an attempt to deal with Presley's growing dependence on prescription drugs, Presley's father, Vernon, and Parker attempted to cut off his supply. [53], From 1974 onward, Presley's weight gain and prescription drug abuse became too much to be controlled. [50] This would be successful for a short time, but when Presley discovered the trick, he simply found himself other doctors. [16] In the drama, the role of Sands was portrayed as a "twisted psychopath". According to several people who knew Presley at the time, the talks with Hulett got so far along that it seemed almost inevitable the deal would be done. [33] He was a heavier-set man with balding hair and frequently wore a fedora and a suit of some type, sometimes made of gaudy designs to help promote something. In general, fans of the icon think that Colonel Parker never let Elvis fully shine. [35] All of these stories were fabrications, but it kept his name in view of the public. In later years, Parker's influence waned, but he continued in his management role until Presley's death in 1977. Austin Butler won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, beating out favorite Brendan Fraser (The Whale), and he picked up a nomination for the same award at the Oscars. Parker encountered Presley in 1955, and by 1956 had become his primary representative. [16] NBC had originally wanted Presley for the role, but Parker had turned them down. That never happenedElvis died not knowing of Parker's illegal statusbut he would have had . [61], As Presley's fame grew, people became interested in Parker as well. [35] He was reportedly afraid that Presley would realize that there were other managers available prepared to sign contracts that did not require as much as 25% of his earnings. 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]. [23] Later, when Hank Snow asked Parker about the status of their contract with Presley, Parker told him: "You don't have any contract with Elvis Presley. He was punished with solitary confinement, from which he emerged with a psychosis that led to him spending two months in a mental hospital,[4] and he was discharged from the Army because of his mental condition. Parker encouraged Presley to make film musicals which became the focus of his career during his commercial decline in the 1960s until his 1968 comeback and return to touring. [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. [55] The book was published one year later on July 12, 1977, one month before Presley's death. The opposing counsel responded by presenting into evidence a copy of Parker's U.S. Army enlistment form which stated, through a legal loophole, that because Parker signed his enlistment papers under his alias "Thomas Andrew Parker" and once he took the oath by swearing allegiance to the United States of America, he unofficially renounced his Dutch citizenship, although it is claimed that he died a Dutch citizen. 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. ", "Photos: Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker", https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/a-new-light-on-colonel-tom-parker.shtml, "A Larger-Than-Life Look at a Larger-Than-Life Star", "Meet the Fifth (Jewish) Beatle Manager Brian Epstein", "The All American Boy: Enter Elvis and the rock-a-billies", Tom Parker collection and interviews with co workers, ED Bonja Interview Elvis Photographer - the Elvis Information Network exclusive. 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. Instead, Parker sent demonstration recordings to record producer Steve Sholes at RCA Victor. His Dutch birthplace and immigrant status were not revealed for many years. 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. 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. [53] Yet, despite Presley's eagerness to do the shows, Parker again turned them down. [4] At age 17, he first displayed signs of wanting to run away to the United States to "make his fortune". [50] They hired private detectives to find out where the drugs were coming from and were successful in stopping any more from reaching Presley. After Elvis' death, Parker continued to manage the Elvis Presley Enterprises, and also worked with Presley's daughter Lisa Marie and his wife Priscilla. As a reward, Davis gave him the honorary rank of "colonel" in the Louisiana State Militia.[2][3]. [65] Unbeknown to Parker at the time, she had a second son from her first marriage, but had given him up for adoption at birth due to his disability (a club foot). According to Smithsonian Magazine, Parker liked to present himself as an American man called Thomas Andrew Parker . [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. [55] Worried about the impact such details might have on his career, Presley, through his father, asked Parker to stop the publication. [13] Instead, Parker decided to stay in Temple Terrace, Florida, with his family, perhaps to avoid having to submit paperwork that could expose his illegal status. That was 1977 money, using the inflation calculator $30 million in 1977 is equaled to $146,671,287.13 in 2022. [15] However, Parker remained involved in many of Arnold's live tours and demanded a buyout of $50,000 (US$506,405 in 2021 dollars[11]) to settle their contract. While Presley was serving in West Germany, Parker was hard at work keeping Presley's name known to the public. [19][20] Part of Parker's role was to secure a new recording contract with a bigger label. They struggled to survive during the Great Depression, working short cons and traveling across the country in search of work. [37] He allowed him to perform three live shows in 1961, all charity events, two in Memphis and one in Hawaii. Before getting into the relationship between the King and his manager, a quick crash course in the pre-Elvis life of Colonel Tom Parker is in order and hoo boy, what a life it was. 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. He realized that by keeping RCA Victor, and more importantly the public, hungry for more Presley material, he would be able to negotiate a better contract when Presley returned from active service. [4] Although Parker had served honorably for a time, he went AWOL this time and was charged with desertion. 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. 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. PIONEERING EARLY MANAGEMENT He adopted a new name and claimed to have been born in the United States. Phillips told them to make a separate deal with Elvis. [14] The job not only offered him a secure wage, it also offered a rent-free apartment above the Humane Society in a remote part of West Tampa for him and his family. "[27][28], Parker signed a deal with Beverly Hills film merchandiser Hank Saperstein for nearly $40,000 to turn Presley into a brand name. [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. While it is believed that he made over $100 million dollars during his time with Elvis, he was rumored to only be worth a million dollars when he died, and at one point, had gambling debts in excess of $ Continue Reading Related questions 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. [48] Two weeks after the Las Vegas press conference Parker received a letter from Honolulu Advertiser columnist Eddie Sherman. The Colonel seized on the moment and put Elvis back on tour, eventually settling on a residency in Las Vegas and a non-stop barrage of venues and recordings that took the singer to the brink, as he deteriorated into a mockery of his former self. [54] Vernon also threatened to find a new manager if Parker wouldn't continue to tour Presley. [60] In 1993, interest in Presley's enduring legend, interest that is sometimes notable for its obsessiveness, provoked Parker to remark: "I don't think I exploited Elvis as much as he's being exploited today. [11][10], Parker first became involved in the music industry as a music promoter in 1938, working with the popular singer Gene Austin. [16] Critics were very positive in their reviews of both the drama and Sands, leading to Capitol Records signing Sands within a week. Presley had a singing style different from the current trend, and Parker was immediately interested in the future of this musical style. Parker is also a controversial figure, known to have defrauded the King of Rock and Roll on several occasions for as much as $8 million. He also pocketed some $6 million on a deal for Elvis'. What Really Happened To Colonel Tom Parker? K-pop stars break under the. Lisa Marie died on January 12 after suffering cardiac arrest. The "Colonel" badly mismanaged Elvis. Parker served two years in the 64th Coast Artillery (United States), at Fort Shafter, in Hawaii, and shortly afterwards re-enlisted at Fort Barrancas, Florida. Parker appeared to be in complete control during Presley's time away, but he was worried about the outside influence that Presley might encounter in West Germany. Colonel Tom Parker was Elvis Presley's manager for more than 20 years, and was with him when he died on August 16, 1977. [citation needed], After the success of Presley's return to live performing in Las Vegas, Parker decided it was time to take him back out on tour for the first time in 13 years. [10] Parker later said that at times they had had to live on as little as $1 a week (US$20 in 2021 dollars). He takes fifty percent of everything I earn." [8], In May 1929, Van Kuijk returned to the United States at age 19, finding work with carnivals due to his previous experience in the Netherlands. Here's why Colonel Tom Parker is so controversial. But according to IMDb, it was because Elvis just didn't like dealing with confrontation. However, it soon became obvious that Elvis had staying power, with the right guidance. [citation needed], When Presley died on August 16, 1977, one day before he was due to go out on tour, some accounts suggest Parker acted as if nothing had happened. Elvis and the Colonel were associated throughout the musician's entire career, including music, movies, and TV specials. [41] Selling it to RCA for $24,000 ($200,443 in 2021 dollars[11]), it was used to promote Presley's latest film, Frankie & Johnny. [4][5] Parker's final years were spent living in Las Vegas, in increasingly poor health before his death in 1997. Parker had unknowingly backed himself into a financial corner. [29] While Presley was a hit among the youth of America, the middle-aged audiences found him an oddity. During the week-long visit, Parker was informed by Adam van Kuijk that their mother had died three years earlier in 1958, never knowing what happened to her son after he left the Netherlands for good in 1929. Presley was never one to stand up against Parker, but he knew that this TV show was his one chance at a true comeback, and with Binder backing him, Presley told Parker he was doing it "Binder's way". What's amazing is this, after Elvis' death, Parker is said to have owed $30 million in gambling debts to the Las Vegas Hilton.