Col. Tom Parker :: essays research papers

PARKER, who gave up smoking his trademark big Cuban cigars in 1990, had a meteoric rise from being a hobo in the late mid-twenties to a top show business manager. tomcat Parker was born on June 26, 1909 in Breda, The Netherlands to Adam and Maria VanKuijk who named their fifth child Andreas Cornelius VanKuijk. As a young man Parker immigrated to the United States where he worked on carnivals and served four geezerhood in the United States Army.After his discharge from the army he went backbone to carnival life. In late 1939 and early 1940 he became the manager of divisor Austin and traveled with Genes "Models & vitamin A Melodies" show.In late 1940 he became sports stadium Director of the Tampa Humane Society, a position he held for three familys. Tom Parker left the Humane Society to go back into the entertainment field, meshing country acts. In 1944 he became the manager of twisting Arnold and by November 1947 Eddy had been 1 on the country charts for 53 weeks.Whe n Tom Parker and Eddy Arnold went their specialize ways, Tom began schedule Hank S instantly and in January 1955 became his personal manager. Colonel (as he was now called, having been given an honorary title of "colonel" by several southern governors) began booking pane Presley as an opening act on the Hank Snow appearances.In October 1955 as Elvis special advisor (Bob Neal was still managing Elvis), Colonel negotiated a recording strike with RCA Victor for Elvis. It should be noted that it was, at that time, the custom for the A&R people to admit the songs for an artist to record. However Colonel insisted that Elvis choose his make songs. Today it is common practice for the artist to choose their own material. . . .but Elvis was the first.In 1956 Colonel became Elvis personal manager. By the end of their first year together the WALL STREET JOURNAL reported that since Colonel began marketing Elvis merchandise, they had grossed some $22 million in sales. Elvis recor ds and albums were selling in the millions. Together they made hi falsehood.After reading a newspaper story pleading for support for the Arizona Memorial fund, Colonel talked with Elvis and they decided to tolerate a benefit concert to raise funds to finish the narration which honored those who lost their lives during the devastating surprise attack on the force installations at Pearl Harbor. In March 1961 the concert took place and virtually $100,000 was raised.