Later in 1975, the government of Saudi Arabia offered Parker $5 million for Presley to perform there. Snow attended the signing, thinking that Elvis had signed a management contract with Jamboree Attractions, which he owned with Parker. Following an investigation in the early 80s, a judge ruled that Parker's management of Presley had been unethical. And there certainly would've been no Elvis without Colonel Tom Parker.' And when he said that, I said, 'Oh . [53] Streisand's production company, First Artists, offered Presley a salary of $500,000 ($2,517,934 in 2021 dollars[11]) and 10% of the profits. [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. [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. According to Alanna Nash, who wrote The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley . Colonel Tom Parker was astonished to hear that Elvis Presley was a white man. "That didn't come out in this country until 1981." Colonel Tom Parker was a Dutch-American talent manager and music businessman. By Alanna Nash. He was one of the most influential voices in the industry. Colonel Tom Parker was a music entrepreneur, well-known for being Elvis' manager. He wasn't a colonel and he wasn't even born in America. Their's was probably the most unique artist-manager relationship ever in show business, clearly one of the most successful. [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. At the time, many people predicted that he would have a long and lucrative career . He was subsequently in "Loving You," "Jailhouse Rock," and "King Creole." [53] Presley was beginning to consider new management, with Concerts West co-founder Tom Hulett being the clear favorite for the job. [18] According to Moore, Presley agreed to take 50 percent, with Moore and Black splitting the other 50 percent. His death certificate lists his birth name as Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk, his country of birth as the Netherlands, and his citizenship as American. Colonel Tom Parker was a Dutch-American talent manager and musical entrepreneur who had a net worth of $1 million at the time of his death in 1997. Submit a correction suggestion and help us fix it! Cremated. He arranged for a screen test with Paramount Pictures, and after impressing them with Presley's acting ability, Presley was signed to a seven-picture contract. [48], Aloha from Hawaii proved to be the last great moment in Presley's career. Instead, he found employment as a field agent with a local animal shelter, the Hillsborough County Humane Society. Growing up, he worked as a carnival barker in his hometown. He was best known for being the manager of Elvis Presley. He is portrayed by Tom . He is known for Spinout (1966), Kissin' Cousins (1964) and Jailhouse Rock (1957). [citation needed] After a cold reception during his first few shows,[30] Parker cut Presley's appearance to two weeks. In the early days of their marriage, Marie and Parker worked together in the carnivals. However, other friends and members of Presley's entourage have stood by the suggestion that Parker didn't want to admit there was such a problem because he didn't know how to deal with it, and he was also worried about any negative publicity it would create. [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). Despite earning over $100 million during his lifetime, at the time of his death Colonel Tom Parker was reportedly worth less than $1 million. The sale of the back catalog to RCA meant that after his death, Presley's estate would not receive any royalties for any Presley recordings made prior to 1973. [50] They hired private detectives to find out where the drugs were coming from and were successful in stopping any more from reaching Presley. Although the films were profitable, Presley complained about the quality of the scripts. Presley went on to star in "Love Me Tender," which spawned his eponymous hit single. [53] Yet, despite Presley's eagerness to do the shows, Parker again turned them down. [16] Sholes showed little interest in Sands, but promised that he would attempt to find songs Sands might be able to record. 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. 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. [33] Parker then returned to the Netherlands before going back to the US when he was 19, again illegally. The 32nd Anniversary of Elvis' final concert in Indianapolis. [15] Over the next few years, he helped Arnold secure hit songs, television appearances, and live tours. With Parker's help, Presley signed a recording contract with RCA Victor, leading to his commercial breakthrough in 1956 with his sixth single "Heartbreak Hotel" and propelling him to become one of the most popular and commercially successful entertainers in the world. A few actors have tackled Parker on screen, most notably Beau Bridges in 1993s "Elvis and the Colonel: The Untold Story" and Randy Quaid in the 2005 miniseries "Elvis." Parker appeared to be in complete control during Presley's time away, but he was worried about the outside influence that . [46], On July 8, 1972, inspired by the visit of President Richard Nixon to China a few months earlier,[47] Parker announced that there would be a worldwide satellite broadcast from Hawaii to allow the whole world the chance to see a Presley concert, "since it is impossible for us to play in every major city". Upon his return from the Army, Presley appeared on Frank Sinatra's television show. Colonel Tom Parkerthe title was awarded to him by Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis in 1948 for political services renderedclaimed until 1982 to have been born in West Virginia. [36] If Parker had had any doubts about his return, they were soon gone when he witnessed the turnout along the route. 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. [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. With Presley serving in West Germany, Parker did everything he could to keep the singer's name on everyone's lips, as he worried that Presley would fade in the public eye. . [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. 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. [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. However, when Presley signed a recording contract with Phillips, Moore and Black were excluded. Tom Parker was born on 26 June 1909 in Breda, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Parker began 1956 intending to bring his new star to the national stage. [53] Several members of Presley's band later stated that Parker had no idea just how bad the situation was getting. 4. Tom Parker caught a glimpse of the singer backstage. Additionally, Tual determined that Parker's handling of Presley's business affairs was unethical. Following his discharge, Parker worked at a number of jobs, including food concessions and gaming carnivals. It was also reported that he had up to $ 30 million in gambling debts several times in his life. So Where'd All The Money Go??? 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. While working in the circus in 1935, Parker wed Marie Francis Mott. I said 'Yeah'. [53] They discussed the possibility of Presley's co-starring with Streisand in a remake of the film A Star Is Born. At the time of his death, Elvis was only worth . [15], In early 1955, Parker became aware of a young singer, Elvis Presley. By his final public appearances in 1994, Parker was suffering from a number of health problems such as gout and diabetes. At that point, Moore and Black had no contractual ties to either Phillips or Presley. [17] In the beginning, Presley, Moore, and the bassist Bill Black were a trio, the Blue Moon Boys. [43], It took the energetic 1968 television special Elvis, which the Singer Company sponsored, and a subsequent series of acclaimed recording sessions in Memphis, Tennessee, that included songs such as "Suspicious Minds" and "In the Ghetto", to restore Presley's musical reputation. [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. 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. [4] From about 1931 until 1938, he worked as a "carny" with Royal American Shows. It took a probate court to remove Parker and his 50% fee from future dealings. "[56] Almost immediately, before even visiting Graceland, Parker traveled to New York City to meet with merchandising associates and executives with RCA Records, instructing them to prepare for a huge demand in Presley products. [15] RCA Victor, Hank Snow's current label, also showed an interest, but they were put off by the cost of the contract. [4] At age 17, he first displayed signs of wanting to run away to the United States to "make his fortune". He was previously married to Loanne Miller and Marie Frances Mott. [6] He was the son of Maria Elisabeth (Ponsie) and Adam van Kuijk. Little, Brown. . Colonel Tom Parker acted as Presley's promoter and, then manager and promoter, for most of his career. Additional Crew: Spinout. [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. Let's find out. In early 1997, he passed away from a stroke in Las Vegas at the age of 87. Both Priscilla and Jerry said he was a lovely man". With 1956 coming to a close, Parker had made Presley one of the most well-known, well-paid entertainers in the world. [14] Parker decided against registering, possibly to prevent his previous Army record from becoming public. In later years, Parker's influence waned, but he continued in his management role until Presley's death in 1977. [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. You're going to be a star.'"[71]. [41] In Houston alone in one afternoon, 40,000 people paid to see it, with one woman offering to have sex with the tour manager if he would allow her to sit in it. Colonel Tom Parker's House. Tom was born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk in the Netherlands on June 26, 1909, but emigrated illegally to the United States when he was 20. [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. Colonel Tom Parker made more than $100 million in his lifetime, but when he died, he was reportedly worth less than $1 million. 21 Jan 1997 (aged 87) Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, USA. 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. [68] From then on, he continued living in Las Vegas, mostly avoiding contact with the press. [52] In Las Vegas, he was starting to appear drugged on stage, slurring his words and forgetting song lyrics. Phillips told them to make a separate deal with Elvis. 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. Mourners recall being surprised at his wearing a Hawaiian shirt and baseball cap, smoking his trademark cigar, and purposely avoiding the casket. Elvis Presley was only 42 years old when he died on August 16, 1977 (via History). [26] With over 78 different possibilities, from charm bracelets to record players, Presley merchandise brought in $22 million by the end of 1956. [19][20] Part of Parker's role was to secure a new recording contract with a bigger label. Meanwhile, his career began stagnating as the British Invasion took over the United States. "[27][28], Parker signed a deal with Beverly Hills film merchandiser Hank Saperstein for nearly $40,000 to turn Presley into a brand name. Luhrmann hasn't really . [4] During the 1960s, with his wife's health deteriorating, and Presley's career struggling, Parker found an escape with gambling at Las Vegas casinos. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below. [66] Some suggested that Parker married Marie to disguise his illegal status in the United States;[65] a marriage to a U.S. citizen with a child could help him bury his past in a "ready-made family". He adopted a new name and claimed to have been born in the United States. [52], In February 1975, during his engagement in Las Vegas, Presley, along with Parker, met with Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters. Elvis Presley & Colonel Parker. [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. [26] Presley said of Parker: "I don't think I would have ever been very big if it wasn't for him. In the 1950s, he helped Elvis Presley become a big star. [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. 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 . [52] Angered by this outburst, Parker declared: "You can't fire me. [15] As Presley was still a minor, his parents had to sign the contract with Parker on his behalf. [4] Fans and biographers alike believe that one of the main reasons Parker signed Presley to a Vegas hotel in 1969 for his live comeback was to help cover losses he experienced in their casino. Between 1969 and 1972 alone, RCA released three albums of live material. [15] Presley had been at Sun Records since the beginning of his career, but Sam Phillips, the owner of Presley's current label, was aware that to have any kind of a successful future Presley would need the backing of a much larger label. [37] Parker signed long-term contracts with the film studios,[39] possibly to guarantee work and income for both him and Presley. Death. According to Biography, Presley's father let Colonel Tom Parker have the run of things for two more years, but after the elder Presley also died in 1979, things got complicated for the manager. Picture: Getty Parker managed the Presley estate for the rest of his life, but he had also sold the rights to Presley's early recordings. [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. [67] It is also recorded that Marie did not divorce her second husband until 1936, and her brother, Bitsy, recalled no ceremony of marriage between Parker and Marie. A symbiotic relationship," Hanks added. [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. [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. The Wanted singer Tom Parker has died from a brain tumour at the age of 33. [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. [65] However, there is no definite proof that anything other than romance led to their marriage. 2. [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. For his part, Parker himself died with a net worth of $1 million, or roughly $1.8 million in today's money (via Dollar Times ). Parker appeared at posthumous events honoring Presley, such as the 1993 issuing of a U.S. postage stamp with Presley's likeness. [33] He had arranged for Presley to record five singles before his induction,[35] guaranteeing RCA Victor enough material to release over a two-year period. No, he didn't. That's the kicker. Nor did he ever suggest onstage that he knew of the colonel's immigration issues. Guralnick, Peter (1994). Elvis had just as many white influences and announced as early as seventh grade that he was going to sing at the Grand Ole Opry . [53] Despite this, however, the deal never materialized. [4] By this time, with the IRS demanding almost $15 million in taxes, the estate was facing bankruptcy. Elvis Was Not Nearly As Rich As You Might Guess When He Died. A large part of Tom's net worth he made from his Salary as a Colonel. [4] After a lifetime that saw him earn in excess of $100 million, Parker's estate was worth barely $1 million when he died. He completed basic training at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia.[4]. [65], Others, however, had doubts about whether they were legally married at all. His Dutch birthplace and immigrant status were not revealed for many years. [37] He allowed him to perform three live shows in 1961, all charity events, two in Memphis and one in Hawaii. For a time, Parker lied about his childhood, claiming to have been born in Huntington, West Virginia, in the early 1900s to explain his Dutch accent as being a Southern accent, and to have run away from home at an early age to join a circus owned by an uncle before serving in the U.S. Army prior to his involvement with being a music manager. "[70], Songwriter Mac Davis recounted a similar experience where Parker rubbed his head and declared "You're going to be a star. [16], Regardless of the success that Parker and Presley had achieved, Parker was still struggling to believe that Presley's career would last longer than a year or two. He had expressed interest in making films when he first met Parker, and now Parker was working to make that happen. He died on 21 January 1997 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. As a reward, Davis gave him the honorary rank of "colonel" in the Louisiana State Militia.[2][3]. He would call his flamboyant manager, Col. Tom Parker, and ask Parker to book another tour (Presley's average concert gross in the mid-'70s was $130,000 a night) or schedule another recording . [41] The Cadillac tour proved to be somewhat more successful than the film itself. In 1935, while travelling with a circus, Parker met and married 27-year-old Marie Francis Mott. The King supposedly earned $100 million during his limelighted lifetime, which ended 10 years ago today. [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. [1][4], At age 15, Van Kuijk moved to Rotterdam, gaining employment on boats in the port town. The document that was signed on November 21 pertained to the record label transfer. He . [53] Parker turned the offer down, and Presley was overjoyed when they replied with another offer of $10 million. On January 20, 1997, Parker's wife heard a crashing sound from the living room, and when she heard no response to her calls, she went in to find him slumped over in his chair after suffering a stroke. [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. [4] He also noted that Parker's handling of Presley's business affairs during his lifetime, including the decision to sell off past royalties to RCA for $5.4 million in 1973, was unethical and poorly handled. Due to his years of excessive spending and being bilked by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis' estate was . [10] Parker later said that at times they had had to live on as little as $1 a week (US$20 in 2021 dollars). [34] He was upset about the possibility that would affect his career, but Parker was secretly overjoyed. Between 1969 and his death on Aug. 16, 1977, Presley played over 600 shows at the Hilton. [4], On August 14, 1981, Judge Evans ordered Elvis Presley Enterprises to sue Parker for mismanagement. [44] He offered RCA Records the opportunity to buy Presley's entire back catalog for $5.4 million. You tell everybody the Colonel touched your head." These four shows alone grossed $730,000 ($4,729,029 in 2021 dollars[11]). Parker returned to the U.S . [4], In 1935, Parker married 27-year-old Marie Francis Mott. He also influenced his decisions to join the military and marry Priscilla, among other . [5] Parker countersued. to control the singer's merchandise. Elvis Presley shot to stardom as a rock 'n roll legend, a legacy that still continues almost 50 years after the King's death. Much of the money went to Col. Tom Parker, the King's enigmatic, cigar . He cared about making sure that his boy didn't just have a million dollars worth of talent . In reality, Nash told USA Today that Presley would "never do that." Presley apparently never knew that Parker wasn't . His death certificate lists his birth name as Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk, his country of birth as . In 1955, Parker and Memphis radio personality Bob Neal began promoting the young up-and-coming singer Elvis Presley. He died of complications from the stroke[72] the following morning at a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, at age 87. 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. Memorial ID. During this part of Presley's career, Parker and Presley agreed to a 50/50 "partnership", which, with Parker controlling merchandising and other non-music related items, resulted in Parker earning more than his client. Held at a Hilton Hotel, his funeral was attended by the likes of Sun Records boss Sam Phillips and Parker's former client . Tom Hanks took on the role of the so-called villain. 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. [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. Part biography, part murder mystery and perhaps the most thoroughly researched . Colonel Tom Parker was best known as Elvis Presley's manager. During this time, Parker secured him long-term deals with film studios. Attorney Blanchard E. Tual concluded that Parker's deal of taking 50% of the singer's profits was extortionate, as the industry standard was closer to 15-20%. [54] Vernon also threatened to find a new manager if Parker wouldn't continue to tour Presley. A few years after that, he illegally entered the United States by jumping ship from the boat of his employer. "A couple times he set me up in the Elvis Presley suite on top of the Hilton, and I would go play Elvis for a week One night we were at the crap table together and he rubbed my head for luck. Colonel Tom Parker was best known as Elvis Presley 's manager. 'Life with you was never dull' More on The Wanted [55] According to Presley's friend, Larry Geller, Parker secretly wanted the book to be published, hoping that it would help Presley realize the severity of his situation and persuade him to do something about it. Nearly as legendary as his famous client was Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager. Following this, he entered the music industry as a music promoter. He subsequently performed at three charity events, and then suspended his live performing until 1968. Col. Tom Parker, 87, a onetime carnival pitchman who shrewdly guided singer-actor Elvis Presley's career for 22 years, died here Jan. 21 after a stroke. He also assisted Jimmie Davis' campaign to become Governor of Louisiana. [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. He was 87. The majority of Elvis's reported net worth at the time of his death was comprised of royalties from record sales, publishing, film and concert tickets. Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis's manager from 1955 to his death in 1977, earned an estimated $50 million from the singer's estate. Answer (1 of 2): In addition to what is noted in the other answer, he had legal disputes with the Presley estate but ultimately continued to earn money from Elvis's legacy. "Colonel Tom Parker managed Elvis Presley's career from 1955 to 1977. "[72] She reiterated her positive opinion to Tom Hanks in 2022 when the actor prepared to play Parker for Elvis (2022). There, he worked at carnivals. [16] Soon after, Sands' song "Teen-Age Crush" reached number 2 on the pop charts, eventually selling 800,000 copies. 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. [5] During a second, more detailed investigation, Tual discovered that all earnings were paid directly to the Trust instead of Parker. Stick around for t. 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. [37] He envisioned him as an entertainment machine, pumping out three films and soundtracks a year, until the end of the decade. They struggled to survive during the Great Depression, working short cons and traveling across the country in search of work. [51] In her book, The Colonel, she writes: "in the days before the Betty Ford Clinic, the Colonel didn't know where to take him for discreet, effective help and loathed risking the loss of work if the truth got out". While Presley was serving in West Germany, Parker was hard at work keeping Presley's name known to the public. [53] Promoters in South America also made offers, as much as $2.5 million, and all of them were turned down by Parker; "Well, whenever I need $2.5 million I'll call you," he once said to them.