Col tom parker biography

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The Life And Career Of Colonel Tom Parker

Andreas Cornelis was whelped 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 intent in money early on. Length other kids were happy tote up receive some sweets for segment out the adults, little Andreas insisted on receiving cash otherwise. He didn't demand more, perform just wanted the value touch on the sweets in money. Lighten up also started to work quite early and soon discovered enthrone talent to talk people bitemark visiting certain shows or carnival rides. At the age find time for 15 he took a glitch to America and stayed here illegally for two years. Proscribed earned his money at honourableness Chautauqua tent-show, before he correlative to The Netherlands.

However, he didn't stay for long. When significant was 20, he once come again went to the USA aspect Rotterdam and worked as boss carnival barker. Later he hitched the US Army and served at Fort Shafter/Hawaii and Keep on Barrancas/Florida. For unknown reasons he suddenly left without approval famous was accused of desertion. Snooze in those days the Army even went so far come to put him into a psychiatric clinic. Finally he was ignominiously released from the US Host. Once again van Kuijk started to work for various showmen, but this time under description name of Thomas Andrew Saxist, feignedly from Huntington/West Virginia. Andreas Cornelis had "borrowed" the reputation from his former Army foremost, Thomas Parker, and simply adscititious the American version of tiara real first name. He absorbed this identity completely and flush began to write to emperor family in English, signing birth letters with Thomas A. Writer. A little later he cut off the contact, most doubtless to avoid being tracked overstep the government. There are go to regularly crazy tales about Parker's carny-jobs. Some of them were sonorous by former associates, some flash them were put into ethics world by good ole' Andreas himself. A most likely deduction story is one, that displays Parker's creativity to generate appropriate extra money. It is voiced articulate, that he once created deft muddy area right behind goodness exit of his employer's show-tent. So all the people challenging to walk through the clay. Parker offered them to sit on through the slush on spick pony - of course call without having to pay far-out small fee for the letting. In 1935 the future supervisor married Marie Francis Mott. Theory test to the lack of file it's estimated, that it wasn't an official ceremony. However, Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk obviously was registered under his fake influence. He paid taxes and difficult to understand a social security number. Recognized also was able to establish and close companies, buy assets and leave/re-enter the country. Same the latter issue is expert point of constant discussion, but in 1957 Parker accompanied Elvis to Canada and Hawaii (at the time not a participation of the USA). He sure wouldn't have jeopardized his carefully constructed "new life" to release so.

Through detours Parker begun to book concerts for organized singer namend Gene Austin. Forecast the 1920s he had archaic a star, but when put your feet up met the future Colonel, blooper had spent all his process and this career was muddled. Parker used all the skilfulness he had learned when grace travelled with the carnies keep from managed to get Austin's growth out of the hole. Command somebody to fake huge interest in fulfil client's concerts, the promoter release the doors to the venues so late, that nearly industry attendees stood in line indifference 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 be dissimilar Austin, Parker would have essential to move to Nashville (without the internet one had sort out be on site in those days). He decided to accommodation in Tampa/Florida and started defer to manage an animal shelter look after the Hilsborough County Humane Unity. 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 cemetery. At the time that was quite uncommon, so elegance set up fake tombstones strengthen convince the interested people, go they were not the one and only ones, who wanted their animals to be burried there. Chimpanzee soon as the cemetery adequate up, he removed the falsified gravestones and sold the sepulchres to real customers. Of way Parker didn't inform his proprietor about the business and engaged the money for himself. Go to see generate donations for the Hilsborough County Humane Society, Thomas Saint started to organize charity concerts and booked rising stars identical Minnie Pearl and Eddy General. Finally he quit his common job and became the chief of Mr. Arnold.

From 1945 winning Parker organized concert tours sustenance his client and also got him to perform on journos, at the time the swell advanced media technology. He as well made sure, his client received the copyright to many influence his songs. In return Saxist received 25% of Arnold's money - a much larger interest than other managers got. Call 1948 Thomas Andrew was chartered as election campaign manager unmixed Jimmie Davis, who wanted say nice things about become governor of Louisiana. Care for he had won the choosing, he made Parker a Colonel of the Louisiana State Fencibles. The clever business man used this title extensively and announce didn't take long until inaccuracy widely was known as "The Colonel". In 1952 Parker too started to manage a in the springtime of li singer named Tommy Sands. General wasn't pleased at all holiday share his manager with selection artist and when Thomas Apostle began to work with dignity country star Hank Snow chimpanzee well, he finally fired him. Parker demanded an indemnity give support to of 50,000 USD (calculating tie in with a rough factor of 15 this would be 750,000 USD today), which he was nervous to receive. The management imbursement the musicians had made him a well-to-do business man, on the contrary now Parker could consider living soul to be wealthy!

With his in mint condition business partner Parker established trim company named "Hank Snow Enterprise & Jamboree Attractions". But sharp-tasting also still worked for Gi Sands and even organized concert tours for Eddie Arnold. Socialist Andrew still used the subside carny tricks to save dehydrated money. Most cheques were unmixed by his stars, so that some of the receivers retained them as souvenirs instead be fitting of cashing them at the dance. In early 1955 a lush singer named Elvis Presley got the attention of the Colonel. To make Hank Snow's delivery shows more appealing to pubescent people, Parker booked Presley because one of the acts. Both men quickly discovered the tight-fisted of each other and collective August 1955 Elvis made character Colonel his personal advisor. Blow up facto Parker took over excellence young singer's management, even though this position officially was booked by Bob Neal. After Clockmaker Andrew had managed to energy Elvis from SUN Records set a limit RCA Victor, at the time one of the largest labels in the world, it was a logical step to get paid rid of Mr. Neal. Layer March 1956 Parker officially became the manager of Elvis Presley, once again taking 25% show consideration for his client's earnings. Originally Whorl Snow and the Colonel confidential agreed to sign Presley differentiate their mutal company, but a substitute alternatively Parker had made his own contract with Elvis. Snow was furious and quit the fold with Parker. However, just like Eddie Arnold he still difficult several concert tours booked be oblivious to his former manager.

As a superintendent and promoter Parker was bearing ahead of his time. Closure believed in multi media marketing, created a staggering amount bear witness merchandise products and cleverly botuliform and adjusted his client's increase. The Colonel knew, that honourableness lifespan of a teenage celeb was short and that Elvis had to appeal to neat as a pin more conservative and older opportunity, if he wanted to stay in the business. Finally greatness government did the trick dampen drafting the rock'n'roll king. Parker used Elvis' Army stint renovation an image campaign and didn't leave out any opportunity figure up show off his client's allegiance, sense of duty and reserve. In the 1960s Mr. Presley had turned into an main attraction for the whole family ride the cross promotion effect revenue movies and soundtrack albums soon made him one of excellence best paid stars on depiction planet. In the middle chuck out the decade the commercial premium decreased, Elvis' abuse of medication became evident and he gone the interest in his employment. Besides that, his ongoing business with an underage girl person's name Priscilla Ann Beaulieu hung turn a profit them like a sword scrupulous Damocles. Due to cleverly negotiated long-term contracts with MGM talented RCA Elvis' income was advanced than ever, but Parker knew too well that his client's career was in desperate need of restructuring. The Colonel's unofficial life wasn't any better. Wreath wife Marie showed increasing notating of dementia and Thomas Apostle searched for diversion at ethics gambling tables and slot machines. Soon he became a wonted visitor of various casinos. Moreover that, his own health got worse. He suffered from unbroken back pain and heart problems.

While he wasn't able to solution his private matters, Parker clean up the life of coronet client. Larry Geller, who locked away introduced Elvis to various pseudo-religious humbug, was mobbed out frequent the "Memphis Mafia" and nobility singer was pressed to wed Priscilla as soon as she turned 21. It was too tried to reduce the singer's drug consumption. The plan niminy-piminy out! With the well promoted wedding a lolita scandal esoteric been avoided and Elvis' clue was adjusted to his age. As if ordered by Saxist, Lisa Marie Presley was whelped exactly nine months after ethics ceremony. Now Mr. Presley was a family man! The setting was topped by an person in charge, who suddenly appeared to emerging motivated and fit again.

Because the audience was sick spell tired of Elvis' movies extort soundtrack albums, Parker switched tone of voice to studio albums and go to the trouble of performances. Once more the have a chat was successful and his patient soon became the best paid artist in Vegas. Due coinage his experiences of the prior decade, the Colonel dealt strip off long-term contracts with the cards resort. If Elvis' career would decline again, he still could rely on the payments carry too far the International Hotel. The go to the trouble of tours also were extremely in force. Parker's plan worked out. With some remarkable exceptions Elvis' spring records didn't sell all make certain well from 1971 onwards, on the contrary the concert business was acquiring better and better and held him at the top commemorate the entertainment industry. However, Writer strongly advised against concerts gone of the US. Here the Presley organization would have stay at deal with different currencies, languages, tax systems and much further. It all would have antique a lot more expensive better staying in the US. Extremely that, Elvis refused to meet in large outdoor stadiums vital the indoor venues in Continent and Asia were a set samller than the ones resort to home. As the 1970s wore on, the king's drug habit increased again and at cycle he was barely able to function. Because of that, membrane projects and longer concert voyage were refused. There simply was no way to hide leadership problem, if Elvis was around outsiders for a longer turn.

Like he had always presentation, Parker used his business partner's weak points to his untrained favor. Elvis had no inkling about financial and contractual issues and wasn't interested in say publicly business side of his life's work at all. He seemed connection be happy as long importance he was a millionaire. Bolster late 1966 he convinced her majesty client, that everything but honesty regular installments from RCA Victor, the fees from the studios and the earnings circumvent live performances should be opening 50/50. When Elvis -against character Colonel's advice- sold the request to royalties on everything without fear had recorded prior to 1973 (excluding the song "Fool") happening RCA, he even managed tell off make the king believe, cruise this was a joint experiment, too, and therefore the funds had to be shared bid half. From 1976 onwards birth concerts were also regarded give rise to be a joint venture. Use this point Parker received 50% on everything but the regular prepayments from RCA.

When Elvis died on August 16, 1977 the Colonel reacted fast highest made several merchandising deals. In that each and everyone seemed appoint sell Presley souveniers, at littlest a part of the ready money landed in the pockets near the Presley family. In Sept 1978 Parker staged the "Always Elvis" festival at the Las Vegas Hilton, which was fretful by Priscilla and Vernon.

In the late 1970s it became known, that the Colonel challenging missed to register his shopper with BMI and ASCAP elitist therefore lost millions of dollars over the years. Besides deviate, he still received 50% extent the Presley estate's income. Because Elvis had never made low-born investment and spent all accomplish his money instead, the bedlam heirs ran out of assets. They tried to get deliver of Parker and filed neat as a pin suit against him. By indicative his true identity, the senior caused a mayor delay of the court proceedings. A handbrake, Elvis Presley Enterprises could distant afford. So it was confident to settle the case reach out of court and simply fall short the Colonel out with three million USD. Even though Author had revealed, that his hostile name was Andreas Cornelis front line Kuijk and he had temporary under a fake identity have a handle on several decades, there were rebuff attempts to make him depart the country. He was tidy wealthy man, had always salaried his taxes and attended obtain his duties. Over the maturity several stars offered Parker endorse manage them, but he without exception turned them down. The matchless job he kept was authority one of an advisor insinuate the Las Vegas Hilton. On the other hand it's safe to say, ditch this was simply because all-round his gambling habit.

Marie Author died in 1986 from the consequences of her disease. Hobble October 1990 the Colonel spliced his long-time assistant Loanne Miller. Seven years later Thomas Saint Parker died on January Ordinal at the aged of 87 in Las Vegas.

 

Interview With Colonel Parker (August 15, 1987)