1. [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. [46] Parker had also decided that it was time for Presley to return to New York, and had arranged for him to perform at Madison Square Garden in June. [4] At age 17, he first displayed signs of wanting to run away to the United States to "make his fortune". Elvis picked up an impressive seven Oscar nominations. [4] It is believed that Parker lost at least $1 million a year from gambling. So much so, that the Elvis estate even sued Parker for mismanagement. 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. This proved very lucrative, especially when the single for Presley's first film, Love Me Tender, sold over one million copies in advance sales. After the special, Parker managed Presley's return to live performance, including a set of brief U.S. tours and many engagements in Las Vegas. 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. I quit! Having previously sold the rights to Presley's early recordings to RCA Records, he struggled to secure a steady income, and his financial situation worsened after he sustained significant gambling losses. [15] Despite this, Phillips was not keen to let him go easily, advising Parker that he would require $40,000 (US$404,621 in 2021 dollars[11]) to secure the release of Presley's contract, a completely unheard-of sum at the time. Parker was able to receive more than half of the income from the enterprise, an unprecedented figure for a music manager. [52], In February 1975, during his engagement in Las Vegas, Presley, along with Parker, met with Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters. [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. Mourners recall being surprised at his wearing a Hawaiian shirt and baseball cap, smoking his trademark cigar, and purposely avoiding the casket. 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. "[27][28], Parker signed a deal with Beverly Hills film merchandiser Hank Saperstein for nearly $40,000 to turn Presley into a brand name. " [Elvis] let us all know when he was upset, and he'd go on a rampage and, you know, cursing. [16] NBC had originally wanted Presley for the role, but Parker had turned them down. [4], On August 14, 1981, Judge Evans ordered Elvis Presley Enterprises to sue Parker for mismanagement. . It took a probate court to remove Parker and his 50% fee from future dealings. Tom Hanks has built a reputation for disappearing into his roles. With more and more fans learning about Presley and his legacy, many are developing an intense curiosity about those in the King's inner circle. A carnival worker by background, Parker moved into music promotion in 1938, working with one of the first popular crooners, Gene Austin, and then country music singers Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, and Tommy Sands in his early career. The document that was signed on November 21 pertained to the record label transfer. [15] Around the same time, realizing the deal for Presley might fall through due to the cost of the contract, Parker attempted to sell Tommy Sands to RCA. He takes fifty percent of everything I earn." [62], One of Parker's brothers, Adam "Ad" van Kuijk, visited Parker once in Los Angeles in April 1961. But, after he gave a detailed invoice to Elvis, the star realized he couldn't pay Parker, so they continued collaborating. When Elvis returned home from the Army, The Colonel focused on more films, TV appearances, and albums, saturating the airwaves with Elvis. [4] After a lifetime that saw him earn in excess of $100 million, Parker's estate was worth barely $1 million when he died. With 1956 coming to a close, Parker had made Presley one of the most well-known, well-paid entertainers in the world. [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. He claimed Parker negotiated side deals with RCA that defrauded Presley of $2.8 million. Just the opposite. [52] Angered by this outburst, Parker declared: "You can't fire me. [15], In early 1955, Parker became aware of a young singer, Elvis Presley. According to Presley's biographer Peter Guralnick, Presley and Parker "were really like, in a sense, a married couple, who started out with great love, loyalty, respect that lasted for a considerable period of time, and went through a number of stages until, towards the end of Presley's life, they should have walked away. He would sniff out talent and attempt to milk them for all they were worth, including Elvis, whom he initially saw as an act that wouldn't last more than a few years. He influenced Presley's personal life, including Presley's decisions to accept military service in 1958 and to marry Priscilla Beaulieu in 1967. That was 1977 money, using the inflation calculator $30 million in 1977 is equaled to $146,671,287.13 in 2022. 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. [15] Over the next few years, he helped Arnold secure hit songs, television appearances, and live tours. In 1958, Parker encouraged Elvis to voluntarily enlist in the Army (part of Elvis' true story) after he received a draft notice and serve a two-year stint as a regular soldier, showing the world that he was just like any average American. [53], From 1974 onward, Presley's weight gain and prescription drug abuse became too much to be controlled. The show, titled "Welcome Home, Elvis", was Presley's first national television appearance since The Ed Sullivan Show in January 1957. [48] The press were told that an audience of one billion was expected to tune in to see the "first entertainment special to be broadcast live around the world",[48] although Parker had not taken into account the fact that many countries, including parts of Europe and America, would not see the concert live due to the time of the broadcast. [35] Parker had declined to travel to Europe, denying that he spoke any language other than English. He quickly became the singer's sole representative, and within months he had won Elvis a recording contract with RCA Victor.. [5] Parker countersued. 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". This is because Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, had previously arranged a deal to sell those to RCA for $5.4 million, out of which only $1.35 million went to Elvis after Parker's 50% fee and income taxes. In general, fans of the icon think that Colonel Parker never let Elvis fully shine. ( Elvis' Manager ) Alpha 11 201K subscribers Subscribe 2.3K Share 313K views 5 years ago Colonel Tom Parker managed Elvis Presley for the majority of. And when he said that, I said, 'Oh, well, okay, now that's brand new.". [5] However, Judge Joseph Evans, aware that Lisa Marie Presley was still a minor, appointed attorney Blanchard E. Tual to investigate Parker's management. [43] A breakfast reception was arranged, taking place after the media got their photographs of the couple. [50] In later years, several of Presley's inner circle would tell of how difficult it was to persuade Presley to quit the drugs. [14] In 1945, Parker became Arnold's full-time manager, signing a contract for 25% of his earnings. Despite the shady financial dealings Parker maintained with Presley, his net worth when he died was much less than that of Elvis, who died with a . Parker sent Elvis all over the United States, but he would never let him out of North America, leaving Canada as the only other nation to host The King in his long career. [4] During his first visit there, he traveled with a Chautauqua educational tent show, before returning briefly to the Netherlands. [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. Inc, to control Presley merchandise and keep a steady income supporting his estate. 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. Tom Parker didn't enjoy a good reputation even after being associated with one of the legendary artists that history has ever seen. [61], As Presley's fame grew, people became interested in Parker as well. [45], By 1972, Parker had managed to increase Presley's weekly wage in Las Vegas to $150,000 ($971,718 in 2021 dollars[11]), and secured $50,000 a year ($323,906 in 2021 dollars[11]) for himself as a "consultant to the hotel chain". He had a matter-of-fact method of speaking and didn't suffer fools lightly. Parker privately acknowledged his brother and even introduced him to Presley. "[72] She reiterated her positive opinion to Tom Hanks in 2022 when the actor prepared to play Parker for Elvis (2022). Elvis died of a heart attack aged 42 on August 16 1977. [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. [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. 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? [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. The two had become almost strangers, and false reports in the media suggested that Presley's contract was up for sale. They struggled to survive during the Great Depression, working short cons and traveling across the country in search of work. Related: Elvis Cast Guide: What The Characters Look Like In Real Life. 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. More: Does Elvis Have An After Credits Scene? 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. Asked by a journalist what he would do now, Parker responded: "Why, I'll just go right on managing him! [41] The Cadillac tour proved to be somewhat more successful than the film itself. [53] Hulett's company had managed tours for Presley, and he had worked with artists such as Led Zeppelin. [49] The album was released simultaneously around the world, and went to number 1 on the US charts, the first Presley album to do so since the Roustabout soundtrack, in 1964. For Presley's return in March 1960, Parker had arranged for a train to take him from Washington, D.C., to Memphis, with stops along the way for fans to see their idol in person. The reasons for this are a source of controversy, as it was believed that Parker's status as an illegal immigrant (the theme of the Netflix series Stateless) would prohibit him from traveling as he didn't have a passport, nor could he get one due to his status. [54] He phoned Presley's father once to suggest taking time off, but Vernon Presley told him they couldn't afford to stop touring due to Presley's constant and lavish spending of money. [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). Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo.com, he has over a decade of writing and reporting about the entertainment industry and has covered everything from Comic Con to CinemaCon to Star Wars Celebration, as well as covering numerous set visits and junkets all over the world. [26], In April 1956, Parker made his first mistake with Presley's career. The very next morning, Tom died in a renowned hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada due to stroke-related complications. Parker was also afraid that any attempt to block Presley from being drafted would result in a more detailed look into his own service record. [48] Two weeks after the Las Vegas press conference Parker received a letter from Honolulu Advertiser columnist Eddie Sherman. 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. [12] He was a successful promoter, but he wanted to move into management.[12]. Parker realized early on the bigger potential of Austin Butler's Elvis and transitioned to managing him full-time. [21] In return for a larger financial stake in the deal, Neal agreed not to renew his management contract with Presley after it expired in March 1956,[22] allowing Parker the opportunity to claim the job for himself. [33] He also realized that it would be a great opportunity to promote Presley by having the media witness his induction day, including the Army haircut that would see the most famous hair style in the world destroyed.[33]. Parker became known as a shrewd, showy, and manipulative businessman who was able to work out lucrative deals at minimal overhead while making sure his pockets were lined healthily along the way. It was producer Steve Binder who put forward the idea of Presley singing his old hits and even the staged section with his old band, Scotty Moore and D. J. Fontana, the latter inspired by a post-rehearsal informal jam in Presley's dressing room. [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. Tom Parker died in 1997. However, Hanks, who has six prior nominations and won twice, was snubbed for his role as Colonel Tom Parker. [14] Parker served in the peacetime army as a precondition for taking advantage of that stipulation, but he never subsequently applied to become a citizen. [16] Soon after, Sands' song "Teen-Age Crush" reached number 2 on the pop charts, eventually selling 800,000 copies. [52] In Las Vegas, he was starting to appear drugged on stage, slurring his words and forgetting song lyrics. [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. The Tom Hanks Tom Parker portrayal is certainly one of the highlights of the movie, giving audiences something they aren't used to seeing from the actor. [4][5] Tual, once appointed as Lisa Marie's guardian ad litem, chose to investigate the entire period of Parker's management of Presley; his preliminary finding was that Parker's management deal of 50% was extortionate compared to the industry average of 1520%. 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. [15] As Presley was still a minor, his parents had to sign the contract with Parker on his behalf. [36] If Parker had had any doubts about his return, they were soon gone when he witnessed the turnout along the route. [53] Seeing it as a chance to finally be taken seriously as an actor, Presley agreed to take the role if the contracts could be worked out. And I know it wasn't him, but it's true. Instead, Parker sent demonstration recordings to record producer Steve Sholes at RCA Victor. [72] By this point, he was stricken with diabetes, gout, and other health problems such that he could barely leave his own house. What happened to the Colonel who managed Elvis? [4] By this time, with the IRS demanding almost $15 million in taxes, the estate was facing bankruptcy. 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. Here's why Colonel Tom Parker is so controversial. [67] According to interviews given by Parker to the Associated Press many years later, he and Marie were married in Tampa, Florida, during the winter of 1932,[67] but the Florida Office of Vital Statistics had no record of such a marriage any time between 1927 and 1946. After his Army hitch, he had him stop making personal appearances, and limited his public exposure to three sappy movies a year. 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. After a lifetime of earning well over $100 million managing Elvis, The Colonel's estate was barely worth $1 million upon his death. More than 40 years after his death, Elvis Presley remains one of the most famous and most easily recognized people in history. Snow eventually led Parker to Elvis Presley. 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. At the time of his death, Parker was suffering with diabetes, gout, and various other health problems. [33], Presley had been showing signs of rebellion against Parker, and Parker believed that a stint in the Army would cure him of this. Parker suffered a stroke on Jan. 20, 1997 and died the next morning at a hospital in Las Vegas. [18] A one-year management contract with Presley provided Moore with a 10-percent commission, which Moore said he never took. . [60] However, he did occasionally bother them by criticizing some decisions. Colonel Parker was a very complicated person, and his . [14], Through the fundraising, Parker headed to Tennessee to find acts to perform at his charity events,[14] among them stars such as Minnie Pearl and Eddy Arnold. Following the success of Presley's Las Vegas return, Parker signed a contract with the International Hotel to guarantee Presley would play a month-long engagement for $125,000 a week ($974,043 in 2021 dollars[11]), an unheard-of sum at the time. [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. This was, with hindsight, a mistake on his part; if he had negotiated each deal separately based on the profits of the previous film, he could have received more money. Parker was eventually sued by the Elvis estate over mismanagement, which found his dealings over the years to be unethical and extortionate. "[42] Parker used the argument that Presley was his only client and he was thus earning only one fee.[42]. [37] Parker, not one to forget harsh criticism, stated that the fee would be $125,000 (equivalent to about $1,145,000 in 2021) for two songs, a total of eight minutes on screen; Sinatra himself was receiving a lower sum for the whole show,[38] but he agreed. (Elvis), Tom Hanks (Colonel Tom Parker), Olivia DeJonge (Priscilla) and other actors will also be on . On March 26, 1956, after Presley's management contract with Neal expired, Presley signed a contract with Parker that made him his exclusive representative. He died in 1997 at the age of 87. [4] He would often spend 1214 hours at a time gambling in the casinos, betting large sums. 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. Parker began 1956 intending to bring his new star to the national stage. He had expressed interest in making films when he first met Parker, and now Parker was working to make that happen. The Masked Lookalike Explained, Every Baz Luhrmann Movie, Ranked According To Box Office Mojo, Tom Hanks' Tom Parker isn't his usual role. He was 87. [56] At the funeral, he persuaded Presley's father to sign over control of Presley's career in death to him. 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. [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. [16] In the drama, the role of Sands was portrayed as a "twisted psychopath". God, yes! In 1994, following the marriage of Lisa Marie and Michael Jackson, Parker stated that Presley would not have approved. Hanks has portrayed real-life people in a number of films, from Jim Lovell in Apollo 13 to Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood to Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger in Sully - and many more. [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. [13] Within a year, he had the opportunity to become a legal citizen of the United States a new law allowed illegal aliens the chance to become citizens in return for their promise to fight for the country during World War II, if required. [37] After that, until 1968, Presley gave no live performances, and had very little contact with his fans. The Amazing Comeback Of Colonel Tom Parker "Colonel Tom Parker managed Elvis Presley's career from 1955 to 1977. Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's . During the 1960s, after many years of ill health, Marie began to display signs of dementia. ", "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. 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. [35] All of these stories were fabrications, but it kept his name in view of the public. None of the rules of the relationship was operative any longer, yet neither had the courage to walk away, for a variety of reasons." Colonel Tom is credited as being the man who made Elvis Presley a star. You tell everybody the Colonel touched your head." But this guy is like eighty years old too old to be taught the limits of racism He probably doesn't realize how horrible a thing that was to do. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Parker liked to present himself as an American man called Thomas Andrew Parker . Parker's response: "That's not true at all. The Masked Lookalike Explained. Elvis didn't really fire Colonel Parker on stage in Vegas. He made him join the Army after Elvis was offered an out by the Memphis draft board. Parker remained Elvis' manager until Presley's death in 1977. [65] Marie was one of six children,[65] had been married twice before, and had a son from her first marriage. What Elvis Gets RightAnd WrongAbout the Real Colonel Tom Parker His accent wasn't so theatrical, and he was way funnier than Baz Luhrmann gives him credit for. 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what happened to colonel tom parker after elvis died