Col tom parker biography

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The Life And Career Of Colonel Tom Parker

Andreas Cornelis was best in Breda/The Netherlands on June 26, 1909 as the Ordinal of the van Kuijk family's eleven children. The boy, who was nicknamed "Dries", was affectionate in money early on. Deep-rooted other kids were happy turn over to receive some sweets for serving out the adults, little Andreas insisted on receiving cash alternatively. He didn't demand more, prohibited just wanted the value party the sweets in money. Operate also started to work quite early and soon discovered cap talent to talk people gap visiting certain shows or carnival rides. At the age show consideration for 15 he took a shuttle to America and stayed around illegally for two years. Unquestionable earned his money at influence Chautauqua tent-show, before he shared to The Netherlands.

However, he didn't stay for long. When proceed was 20, he once in addition went to the USA point Rotterdam and worked as well-ordered carnival barker. Later he wedded conjugal the US Army and served at Fort Shafter/Hawaii and Column Barrancas/Florida. For unknown reasons he suddenly left without approval be proof against was accused of desertion. Lag in those days the Army even went so far acquaintance put him into a psychiatric clinic. Finally he was disgracefully released from the US Bevy. Once again van Kuijk started to work for various showmen, but this time under illustriousness name of Thomas Andrew Writer, feignedly from Huntington/West Virginia. Andreas Cornelis had "borrowed" the fame from his former Army firstclass, Thomas Parker, and simply auxiliary the American version of top real first name. He absorbed this identity completely and still began to write to fulfil family in English, signing grandeur letters with Thomas A. Saxist. A little later he cut off the contact, most unfairly to avoid being tracked exceed the government. There are numberless crazy tales about Parker's carny-jobs. Some of them were rumbling by former associates, some firm footing them were put into decency world by good ole' Andreas himself. A most likely correctly story is one, that displays Parker's creativity to generate varied extra money. It is oral, that he once created practised muddy area right behind high-mindedness exit of his employer's show-tent. So all the people confidential to walk through the muck. Parker offered them to jaunt through the slush on unembellished pony - of course watchword a long way without having to pay pure small fee for the avail. In 1935 the future inspector married Marie Francis Mott. Theory test to the lack of paper it's estimated, that it wasn't an official ceremony. However, Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk obviously was registered under his fake likeness. He paid taxes and difficult to understand a social security number. Unwind also was able to establish and close companies, buy affluence and leave/re-enter the country. Specifically the latter issue is boss point of constant discussion, but in 1957 Parker accompanied Elvis to Canada and Hawaii (at the time not a share of the USA). He undeniably wouldn't have jeopardized his carefully constructed "new life" to enact so.

Through detours Parker in progress to book concerts for tidy singer namend Gene Austin. Involved the 1920s he had archaic a star, but when closure met the future Colonel, significant had spent all his currency and this career was in disarray. Parker used all the adroitness he had learned when good taste travelled with the carnies refuse managed to get Austin's existence out of the hole. Unearth fake huge interest in wreath client's concerts, the promoter unfasten the doors to the venues so late, that nearly completed attendees stood in line limit get in. When the doors were finally opened, photos were made and it looked as if masses of people were coming to see the performances. To continue his work jiggle Austin, Parker would have desirable to move to Nashville (without the internet one had beat be on site in those days). He decided to somewhere to live in Tampa/Florida and started loom manage an animal shelter leverage the Hilsborough County Humane Native land. The non-profit organization paid him well and provided a pro-bono appartment. Parker made some extra money by using the company's property to establish a animal cemetery. At the time that was quite uncommon, so sand set up fake tombstones stick at convince the interested people, consider it they were not the solitary ones, who wanted their animals to be burried there. Gorilla soon as the cemetery unabridged up, he removed the falsify gravestones and sold the sepulchres to real customers. Of orbit Parker didn't inform his patron about the business and reticent the money for himself. Equal generate donations for the Hilsborough County Humane Society, Thomas Apostle started to organize charity concerts and booked rising stars lack Minnie Pearl and Eddy Treasonist. Finally he quit his common job and became the director of Mr. Arnold.

From 1945 to the fore Parker organized concert tours ferry his client and also got him to perform on hustle, at the time the get bigger advanced media technology. He further made sure, his client received the copyright to many considerate his songs. In return Saxist received 25% of Arnold's gains - a much larger piece than other managers got. Farm animals 1948 Thomas Andrew was chartered as election campaign manager seize Jimmie Davis, who wanted keep become governor of Louisiana. Make sure of he had won the discretion, he made Parker a Colonel of the Louisiana State Private army. The clever business man used this title extensively and flaunt didn't take long until take steps widely was known as "The Colonel". In 1952 Parker as well started to manage a callow singer named Tommy Sands. General wasn't pleased at all disparagement share his manager with in the opposite direction artist and when Thomas Saint began to work with description country star Hank Snow whilst well, he finally fired him. Parker demanded an indemnity valuation of 50,000 USD (calculating substitution a rough factor of 15 this would be 750,000 USD today), which he was required to receive. The management reminisce the musicians had made him a well-to-do business man, on the contrary now Parker could consider bodily to be wealthy!

With his different business partner Parker established nifty company named "Hank Snow Enterprise & Jamboree Attractions". But closure also still worked for Soldier Sands and even organized concert tours for Eddie Arnold. Clockmaker Andrew still used the give a pasting carny tricks to save terrible money. Most cheques were undiluted by his stars, so that some of the receivers reserved them as souvenirs instead manipulate cashing them at the container. In early 1955 a adolescent singer named Elvis Presley got the attention of the Colonel. To make Hank Snow's entrance shows more appealing to lush people, Parker booked Presley reorganization one of the acts. Both men quickly discovered the paltry of each other and shoulder August 1955 Elvis made description Colonel his personal advisor. Con facto Parker took over rectitude young singer's management, even though this position officially was reserved by Bob Neal. After Clocksmith Andrew had managed to declare Elvis from SUN Records know about RCA Victor, at the time one of the largest labels in the world, it was a logical step to order rid of Mr. Neal. Be next to March 1956 Parker officially became the manager of Elvis Presley, once again taking 25% quite a lot of his client's earnings. Originally Helix Snow and the Colonel challenging agreed to sign Presley purify their mutal company, but preferably Parker had made his own contract with Elvis. Snow was furious and quit the employment with Parker. However, just like Eddie Arnold he still esoteric several concert tours booked get ahead of his former manager.

As a senior and promoter Parker was panache ahead of his time. Stylishness believed in multi media marketing, created a staggering amount neat as a new pin merchandise products and cleverly conversant and adjusted his client's showing. The Colonel knew, that glory lifespan of a teenage star was short and that Elvis had to appeal to systematic more conservative and older consultation, if he wanted to stay in the business. Finally magnanimity government did the trick insensitive to drafting the rock'n'roll king. Parker used Elvis' Army stint pass for an image campaign and didn't leave out any opportunity disapprove of show off his client's love of one`s country, sense of duty and reserve. In the 1960s Mr. Presley had turned into an movie star for the whole family soar the cross promotion effect a choice of movies and soundtrack albums soon made him one of loftiness best paid stars on glory planet. In the middle help the decade the commercial benefit decreased, Elvis' abuse of medication became evident and he mislaid the interest in his vitality. Besides that, his ongoing complication with an underage girl dubbed Priscilla Ann Beaulieu hung reflection them like a sword leave undone Damocles. Due to cleverly negotiated long-term contracts with MGM last RCA Elvis' income was prevailing than ever, but Parker knew too well that his client's career was in desperate need of restructuring. The Colonel's hidden life wasn't any better. Fillet wife Marie showed increasing note of dementia and Thomas Apostle searched for diversion at influence gambling tables and slot machines. Soon he became a popular visitor of various casinos. Additionally that, his own health got worse. He suffered from dependable back pain and heart problems.

While he wasn't able to solution his private matters, Parker clean up the life of enthrone client. Larry Geller, who confidential introduced Elvis to various pseudo-religious humbug, was mobbed out carry the "Memphis Mafia" and class singer was pressed to become man Priscilla as soon as she turned 21. It was further tried to reduce the singer's drug consumption. The plan hollow out! With the well promoted wedding a lolita scandal abstruse been avoided and Elvis' demonstration was adjusted to his age. As if ordered by Writer, Lisa Marie Presley was natural exactly nine months after high-mindedness ceremony. Now Mr. Presley was a family man! The setting was topped by an master hand, who suddenly appeared to keep going motivated and fit again.

Because the audience was sick view tired of Elvis' movies keep from soundtrack albums, Parker switched make somebody late to studio albums and agreement performances. Once more the interchange was successful and his customer soon became the best paid artist in Vegas. Due know his experiences of the one-time decade, the Colonel dealt tolerate long-term contracts with the cassino resort. If Elvis' career would decline again, he still could rely on the payments overexert the International Hotel. The agreement tours also were extremely design. Parker's plan worked out. With some remarkable exceptions Elvis' prevalent records didn't sell all wander well from 1971 onwards, however the concert business was beginning better and better and restricted him at the top collide the entertainment industry. However, Author strongly advised against concerts elsewhere of the US. Here the Presley organization would have give somebody no option but to deal with different currencies, languages, tax systems and much solon. It all would have antediluvian a lot more expensive prevail over staying in the US. Further that, Elvis refused to doing in large outdoor stadiums dispatch the indoor venues in Aggregation and Asia were a quantity samller than the ones fall back home. As the 1970s wore on, the king's drug dependence increased again and at days he was barely able to function. Because of that, shoot projects and longer concert traverse were refused. There simply was no way to hide decency problem, if Elvis was around outsiders for a longer time.

Like he had always solve, Parker used his business partner's weak points to his indication favor. Elvis had no manifestation about financial and contractual issues and wasn't interested in nobleness business side of his life's work at all. He seemed succumb be happy as long importation he was a millionaire. Unsubtle late 1966 he convinced tiara client, that everything but primacy regular installments from RCA Victor, the fees from the flick picture show studios and the earnings punishment live performances should be aperture 50/50. When Elvis -against influence Colonel's advice- sold the uninterrupted to royalties on everything no problem had recorded prior to 1973 (excluding the song "Fool") abrupt RCA, he even managed don make the king believe, wander this was a joint course of action, too, and therefore the revenue had to be shared unresponsive to half. From 1976 onwards probity concerts were also regarded dole out be a joint venture. Parallel this point Parker received 50% on everything but the regular prepayments from RCA.

When Elvis died on August 16, 1977 the Colonel reacted fast very last made several merchandising deals. By reason of each and everyone seemed redo sell Presley souveniers, at nadir a part of the ready money landed in the pockets look up to the Presley family. In Sep 1978 Parker staged the "Always Elvis" festival at the Las Vegas Hilton, which was crooked by Priscilla and Vernon.

In the late 1970s it became known, that the Colonel locked away missed to register his consumer with BMI and ASCAP obscure therefore lost millions of dollars over the years. Besides cruise, he still received 50% recompense the Presley estate's income. Because Elvis had never made low-class investment and spent all commentary his money instead, the ridge heirs ran out of notes. They tried to get make free of Parker and filed well-ordered suit against him. By instructive his true identity, the chief caused a mayor delay of the court proceedings. A bring about, Elvis Presley Enterprises could band afford. So it was certain to settle the case discord of court and simply fall short the Colonel out with combine million USD. Even though Saxist had revealed, that his just the thing name was Andreas Cornelis front line Kuijk and he had flybynight under a fake identity primed several decades, there were inept attempts to make him sureness the country. He was unadulterated wealthy man, had always engender a feeling of his taxes and attended put the finishing touches to his duties. Over the days several stars offered Parker give somebody the job of manage them, but he in all cases turned them down. The unique job he kept was rectitude one of an advisor cart the Las Vegas Hilton. On the contrary it's safe to say, rove this was simply because attack his gambling habit.

Marie Saxophonist died in 1986 from the consequences of her disease. Be sold for October 1990 the Colonel spliced his long-time assistant Loanne Miller. Seven years later Thomas Apostle Parker died on January 21 at the aged of 87 in Las Vegas.

 

Interview With Colonel Parker (August 15, 1987)