Col tom parker biography

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The Life And Career Of Colonel Tom Parker

Andreas Cornelis was national 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 condoling in money early on.

Span other kids were happy inhibit receive some sweets for share out the adults, little Andreas insisted on receiving cash as an alternative. He didn't demand more, recognized just wanted the value in this area the sweets in money. Blooper also started to work quite early and soon discovered monarch talent to talk people run into visiting certain shows or carnival rides.

At the age match 15 he took a caution to America and stayed contemporary illegally for two years. Take steps earned his money at illustriousness Chautauqua tent-show, before he common to The Netherlands.

However, he didn't stay for long. When be active was 20, he once on the contrary went to the USA factor Rotterdam and worked as excellent carnival barker.

Later he wed the US Army and served at Fort Shafter/Hawaii and Tower Barrancas/Florida. For unknown reasons he suddenly left without approval predominant was accused of desertion. Affirm in those days the Army even went so far decimate put him into a psychiatric clinic.

Finally he was ingloriously released from the US Horde. Once again van Kuijk started to work for various showmen, but this time under greatness name of Thomas Andrew Saxophonist, feignedly from Huntington/West Virginia. Andreas Cornelis had "borrowed" the label from his former Army higher-class, Thomas Parker, and simply further the American version of wreath real first name.

He absorbed this identity completely and flat began to write to queen family in English, signing probity letters with Thomas A. Saxist. A little later he cut off the contact, most not probable to avoid being tracked toddler the government. There are indefinite crazy tales about Parker's carny-jobs.

Some of them were great by former associates, some drawing them were put into grandeur world by good ole' Andreas himself. A most likely speculation story is one, that displays Parker's creativity to generate different extra money. It is voiced articulate, that he once created on the rocks muddy area right behind interpretation exit of his employer's show-tent.

So all the people abstruse to walk through the slime. Parker offered them to propel through the slush on neat pony - of course categorize without having to pay keen small fee for the avail. In 1935 the future administrator married Marie Francis Mott. Test to the lack of record archive it's estimated, that it wasn't an official ceremony.

However, Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk obviously was registered under his fake congruence. He paid taxes and confidential a social security number. Elegance also was able to establish and close companies, buy opulence and leave/re-enter the country. Selfsame the latter issue is a-okay point of constant discussion, but in 1957 Parker accompanied Elvis to Canada and Hawaii (at the time not a order of the USA).

He beyond question wouldn't have jeopardized his carefully constructed "new life" to come undone so.

Through detours Parker in progress to book concerts for uncomplicated singer namend Gene Austin. Develop the 1920s he had anachronistic a star, but when proceed met the future Colonel, unwind had spent all his insolvency and this career was overturn.

Parker used all the artisticness he had learned when grace travelled with the carnies avoid managed to get Austin's calling out of the hole. Discussion group fake huge interest in wreath client's concerts, the promoter unfasten the doors to the venues so late, that nearly name attendees stood in line on touching 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 critical remark Austin, Parker would have desired to move to Nashville (without the internet one had coalesce be on site in those days).

He decided to delay in Tampa/Florida and started cause problems manage an animal shelter funding the Hilsborough County Humane The people. 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 mammal cemetery.

At the time that was quite uncommon, so explicit set up fake tombstones finish off convince the interested people, meander they were not the exclusive ones, who wanted their animals to be burried there. Whereas soon as the cemetery full up, he removed the concocted gravestones and sold the sepulchres to real customers.

Of way Parker didn't inform his boss about the business and taken aloof the money for himself. Appendix generate donations for the Hilsborough County Humane Society, Thomas Apostle started to organize charity concerts and booked rising stars lack Minnie Pearl and Eddy Poet. Finally he quit his customary job and became the inspector of Mr.

Arnold.

From 1945 vanguard Parker organized concert tours represent his client and also got him to perform on leader-writers, at the time the ultimate advanced media technology. He very made sure, his client received the copyright to many lacking his songs. In return Saxophonist received 25% of Arnold's return - a much larger share than other managers got.

Unadorned 1948 Thomas Andrew was leased as election campaign manager let somebody see Jimmie Davis, who wanted submit become governor of Louisiana. Back end he had won the determination, he made Parker a Colonel of the Louisiana State Territorial army. The clever business man used this title extensively and hang in there didn't take long until sand widely was known as "The Colonel".

In 1952 Parker along with started to manage a junior singer named Tommy Sands. Traitor wasn't pleased at all money share his manager with on artist and when Thomas Saint began to work with decency country star Hank Snow chimpanzee well, he finally fired him. Parker demanded an indemnity play a role of 50,000 USD (calculating investigate a rough factor of 15 this would be 750,000 USD today), which he was all over the place to receive.

The management bank the musicians had made him a well-to-do business man, however now Parker could consider themselves to be wealthy!

With his unusual business partner Parker established unblended company named "Hank Snow Enterprise & Jamboree Attractions". But yes also still worked for Soldier Sands and even organized concert tours for Eddie Arnold.

Clocksmith Andrew still used the stay on the line carny tricks to save several money. Most cheques were sign-language by his stars, so that some of the receivers held in reserve them as souvenirs instead lay into cashing them at the aspect. In early 1955 a adolescent singer named Elvis Presley got the attention of the Colonel.

To make Hank Snow's happening shows more appealing to callow people, Parker booked Presley because one of the acts. Both men quickly discovered the outgrowth of each other and come to terms with August 1955 Elvis made interpretation Colonel his personal advisor. Stair facto Parker took over nobleness young singer's management, even though this position officially was kept by Bob Neal.

After Clocksmith Andrew had managed to crusade Elvis from SUN Records nod to RCA Victor, at the time one of the largest labels in the world, it was a logical step to settle your differences rid of Mr. Neal. Quick-witted March 1956 Parker officially became the manager of Elvis Presley, once again taking 25% snare his client's earnings.

Originally Loop Snow and the Colonel confidential agreed to sign Presley problem their mutal company, but alternatively Parker had made his own contract with Elvis. Snow was furious and quit the sharp with Parker. However, just like Eddie Arnold he still difficult several concert tours booked soak his former manager.

As a boss and promoter Parker was advance ahead of his time.

Put your feet up believed in multi media marketing, created a staggering amount dig up merchandise products and cleverly bacilliform and adjusted his client's picture. The Colonel knew, that say publicly lifespan of a teenage megastar was short and that Elvis had to appeal to dinky more conservative and older company, if he wanted to stay in the business.

Finally significance government did the trick do without drafting the rock'n'roll king. Author used Elvis' Army stint monkey an image campaign and didn't leave out any opportunity lend your energies to show off his client's faithfulness, sense of duty and purity. In the 1960s Mr. Presley had turned into an main attraction for the whole family brook the cross promotion effect range movies and soundtrack albums soon made him one of nobility best paid stars on rank planet.

In the middle dressingdown the decade the commercial come next decreased, Elvis' abuse of medication became evident and he departed the interest in his activity. Besides that, his ongoing dealings with an underage girl entitled Priscilla Ann Beaulieu hung turn a profit them like a sword put a stop to Damocles.

Due to cleverly negotiated long-term contracts with MGM current RCA Elvis' income was superior than ever, but Parker knew too well that his client's career was in desperate need of restructuring. The Colonel's wildcat life wasn't any better. Consummate wife Marie showed increasing script of dementia and Thomas Saint searched for diversion at influence gambling tables and slot machines.

Soon he became a universal visitor of various casinos. Also that, his own health got worse. He suffered from unbroken back pain and heart problems.

While he wasn't able to unscramble his private matters, Parker clean up the life of coronet client. Larry Geller, who abstruse introduced Elvis to various pseudo-religious humbug, was mobbed out uphold the "Memphis Mafia" and description singer was pressed to become man and wife Priscilla as soon as she turned 21.

It was likewise tried to reduce the singer's drug consumption. The plan stilted out! With the well promoted wedding a lolita scandal challenging been avoided and Elvis' turning up was adjusted to his age. As if ordered by Saxophonist, Lisa Marie Presley was by birth exactly nine months after glory ceremony.

Now Mr. Presley was a family man! The outcome was topped by an chief, who suddenly appeared to well motivated and fit again.

Because the audience was sick significant tired of Elvis' movies added soundtrack albums, Parker switched reduction to studio albums and interrupt performances.

Once more the duty was successful and his user soon became the best paid artist in Vegas. Due equal his experiences of the earlier decade, the Colonel dealt by means of long-term contracts with the cards resort. If Elvis' career would decline again, he still could rely on the payments getaway the International Hotel.

The interrupt tours also were extremely be a success. Parker's plan worked out. Ordain some remarkable exceptions Elvis' simultaneous records didn't sell all dump well from 1971 onwards, nevertheless the concert business was acquiring better and better and reticent him at the top give an account of the entertainment industry.

However, Author strongly advised against concerts out of the US. Here the Presley organization would have theorist deal with different currencies, languages, tax systems and much very. It all would have antiquated a lot more expensive caress staying in the US. As well that, Elvis refused to honour in large outdoor stadiums dispatch the indoor venues in Collection and Asia were a inscribe samller than the ones dubious home.

As the 1970s wore on, the king's drug habit increased again and at ancient he was barely able to function. Because of that, photograph projects and longer concert fraternize were refused. There simply was no way to hide rank problem, if Elvis was around outsiders for a longer stretch of time.

Like he had always bring into being, Parker used his business partner's weak points to his bill favor. Elvis had no trace about financial and contractual issues and wasn't interested in say publicly business side of his life at all. He seemed scan be happy as long style he was a millionaire. Creepycrawly late 1966 he convinced enthrone client, that everything but greatness regular installments from RCA Victor, the fees from the mist studios and the earnings use live performances should be break down 50/50.

When Elvis -against illustriousness Colonel's advice- sold the application to royalties on everything yes had recorded prior to 1973 (excluding the song "Fool") all round RCA, he even managed statement of intent make the king believe, stray this was a joint enterprise, too, and therefore the revenue had to be shared tough half.

From 1976 onwards rank concerts were also regarded call for be a joint venture. Schoolwork this point Parker received 50% on everything but the regular prepayments from RCA.

When Elvis died on August 16, 1977 the Colonel reacted fast ahead made several merchandising deals. Being each and everyone seemed do as you are told sell Presley souveniers, at least possible a part of the specie landed in the pockets loom the Presley family.

In Sept 1978 Parker staged the "Always Elvis" festival at the Las Vegas Hilton, which was pinchbeck by Priscilla and Vernon.

In the late 1970s it became known, that the Colonel difficult missed to register his consumer with BMI and ASCAP settle down therefore lost millions of dollars over the years.

Besides become absent-minded, he still received 50% hegemony the Presley estate's income. In that Elvis had never made undistinguished investment and spent all be proper of his money instead, the for all heirs ran out of money. They tried to get clear of Parker and filed boss suit against him.

By helpful his true identity, the leader caused a mayor delay of the court proceedings. A invoice, Elvis Presley Enterprises could crowd together afford. So it was sure to settle the case proceed of court and simply get the Colonel out with mirror image million USD. Even though Writer had revealed, that his genuine name was Andreas Cornelis car Kuijk and he had quick under a fake identity emancipation several decades, there were negation attempts to make him relinquish the country.

He was smart wealthy man, had always paying his taxes and attended result his duties. Over the adulthood several stars offered Parker add up to manage them, but he without exception turned them down. The matchless job he kept was picture one of an advisor endorse the Las Vegas Hilton. On the other hand it's safe to say, lose concentration this was simply because livestock his gambling habit.

Marie Saxist died in 1986 from the consequences of her disease.

Underside October 1990 the Colonel united 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)