He was a carny and Elvis was his cash cow, nothing more. Todd said the Colonel was no worse than any other and noted his generosity with fans, saying:As far as the British fans were concerned, he was better than most managers were because he really did take time to meet the fans. All rights reserved. But producer Steve Binder proposed another option, namely, that Elvis perform his greatest hits, with a special set and costumes. In the 1980s, Vernon Presley, Elviss father, along with his daughter, Priscilla, who had been married to Elvis from 1967 until 1973, were living in the home. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'coalitionbrewing_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-coalitionbrewing_com-medrectangle-3-0'); However, this amount could be higher as there could be additional income sources that have not been accounted for. Parker was an essential and controversial figure in Elvis life, and in this article, we are going to tell you whether he actually stole money from the King or not. Parker routinely did this during his days with the carnivals. Sure, he was out of touch with the times by then, and didnt see the Phoenix-like potential of what the special could do for his attraction, as he called Elvis. In 1968, he was asked in an interview if it was true that he took fifty percent of everything Elvis earned. We had problems going above storms because we could only go so high. I have to admit I read that and I was like, Go mom, laughs Clea Newman Soderlund, speaking about her fathers posthumous memoir, Ezra Millers Messiah Delusions: Inside. Originally a 13. But she still knew him as her long-lost brother. There are some extraordinary, tabloidy, melodramatic stories about why and how he left Holland. Elvis had a great influence on American culture through his influence on music, affect on American culture, and his legacy. Tom Parker American or Dutchman? Its Elvis Time, April 1967; Alanna Nash. The carnies job is to bring people to the glittering lights on the outside of town, promise them something theyve never experienced before, and then almost giving it to them, at a cost, Hanks told The New York Post. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. This murder has never been solved. By contrast, the Colonel kept a higher percentage of the movie take than the star, and consigned Presley to a series of increasingly cringeworthy films, even for the singer himself, who yearned for the challenge to play a real role. How much money did Elvis spend on Graceland? Alanna Nashs biography of Parker, The Colonel, claims he may have been trying to avoid passport scrutiny because he might have been a suspect in a murder in Breda. (& How Much Did He Earn from The King?). Get your picture back.. Moore, Black, and drummer D.J. However, Graceland is open to visitors today and approximately 600,000 tourists visit the property each year to learn about Elvis life and legacy. The mystery of Anna van den Endens death is unlikely to be solved; the original investigation was woefully inadequate, and every one of the witnesses is dead. He wanted to inspire them. Although the mansion is not generally available to the public, visitors can take a tour, take photographs, and listen to audiopresentation about Elviss life in the home. The proceeds from these licensing agreements are typically shared with the family and some key former employees. Todd went on to address the way in which Elvis was cut off from the world outside of his close inner circle, dubbed the Memphis Mafia. In addition to the collective, Sony/ATV Music Publishing also licenses Elvis songs and collects publishing royalties, such as songwriting, synchronization, and master use. Answer (1 of 3): There is no credible evidence to suggest that Tom Ford ever stole money from Elvis Presley. The concert was held in January 1973 under the name of Aloha from Hawaii and was the last great musical success for Elvis Presley, although the main drawback of the television special was the time difference between Hawaii and the cities on the east coast of the USA. He was 87 years old when he died. His merchandising alone grossed over $22 million by the end of 1957. When the band faced death threats after the 1966 bigger than Jesus controversy, his first reaction was to cancel their American tour and take it out of his own money. Luhrmanns film sees Presley through the deathbed memories of the Colonel, and his accounting would claim victory. There is still money to be made even more so that he is dead. People forget that! Colonel Tom Parker at Elvis's grave. People believed that Parker was hyper-controlling of his star talent. The couple ultimately separated in 1972, with Priscilla being granted a full divorce in 1973. Elvis Presleys manager Colonel Tom Parker, whose sole client was the King, has long been said to have taken 50 per cent of all the rock n roll icons earnings. However, it appears that neither she nor her family ever received a financial settlement from Elvis. In reality, Parker lacked that document because he had never resolved his illegal immigrant status; this caused the manager to fear traveling outside the US and being arrested upon his return, or deported. Several times throughout the film, Parker as narrator, says that you, meaning the people who loved Elvis, were at the heart of Elviss fatal problems. Sources His real name was Andreas van KuijkDries (pronounced Drees) to his familyand as far as anyone could tell, he changed it to Tom Parker because that was the name of the officer who interviewed him when he signed up for the Army. More still went to RCA records, sole owner of all of Elvis' music before 1973, thanks to a $5.4-million deal Parker arranged in that year. How much money did Colonel Parker make off Elvis? Hanks reportedly received a pay bump for reprising his role as Woody in the second and third films, however, with rumored salaries of $5 million and $15 million, respectively. As far as his background, I think no one knew the Colonels background. There, in Parkers hometown, a journalist named Dirk Vellenga got a tipit was Do you know that Tom Parker comes from Breda? He sat there so engrossed that he never moved, though God knows how many times hed seen it. Terms of Use The Mechanical Licensing Collective then handles mechanical royalties for all of the songs, and Elvis Presleys heirs benefit from both a share of the master royalties and a larger share of the publishing royalties. He has a Ph.D. and speaks five languages. At last, I want to say what was told to me 19 years ago about this Colonel Parker. Country singer Eddy Arnold was the first to sign in 1938 and found himself giving the Colonel 25 percent of his take-home pay. Vanity Fairs 2023 Hollywood Issue Welcomes You to the After-Party of Our Dreams, Inside the New Rights Next Frontier:The American West, The Strange, Sexually Charged Genesis of Gloria Swansons Legendary Memoir, King Charles Reportedly BeganEvicting Harry and MeghanAfterSpare, NetflixsMurdaugh Murders Team Say Theyve Uncovered New Crimes, Trumps Relationship With Jared and Ivanka Is About to Get a Lot More Awkward, The Cringey Sexcapades of a Horny Billionaire, What Is Cinema? The lack of a passport might even explain the single greatest mystery of . To me, personally, he was very, very nice, he said. For the most part that was not a problem, because Parker had showmans instincts and enjoyed publicity. Oh, yes? Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley had a prenuptial agreement in place when they got married in 1967. The Beatles were also a cultural force. The story of Elvis Presley is, as we know very well, one of the greatest and saddest success stories in the history of American entertainment. Parker went on to manage the crooner Gene Austin and country singer Hank Snow (David Wenham in the new movie), the latter of whom made some very important introductions for the young Elvis. But as Beyer would soon realize, Finchs past wasnt what she claimedand Beyers own difficult history was up for the taking. Parker was accused of squandering Elviss income and charging too high a fee (nearly 50% of Elviss income), while the cost of maintaining Elviss huge estate at Graceland consumed almost all of Elviss royalties. The litigation lasted until 1983 when, through an out-of-court settlement, Parker received two million dollars in exchange for giving up all rights to Elviss royalties or income generated by the artists estate, in addition to giving up all future financial claims against the Elvis estate. In October 1956 Elvis released his fourth single, called Love Me Tender, and secured a new best-seller for the entire year of 1957, in parallel with the films made with Paramount; even so, Parker still doubted if Elviss fame would last long, having seen, over the years, many artists rise to stardom for a year or two and then be forgotten. Elvis Presley himself chose to give Colonel Parker a large portion of his earnings. While he had a few box office misses, his best films were extremely successful. February 24, 2012 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. All in all, the estate of Elvis Presley continues to generate significant income and is estimated to be worth around $300 million, making it one of the most valuable estates in the history of music and entertainment. It is a deal that severed the Presley estate from the royalties for more than 700 songs and put $2.6 million in the colonel's pocket. Your Privacy Rights If something troubled him too much, he was able to store it in a back corner of his consciousness, though he always had trouble keeping it there. The musical interference was worse than any of Parkers usurious paperwork. In addition to his music and film earnings, Elvis had numerous business ventures and investments including hotels, restaurants, and clothing throughout his career. Notably, he was one of the first entertainers to enter into endorsements and merchandising deals, which helped increase his wealth even more. Elvis also known as "the King" or "the King of Rock and Roll"was very popular in the 1960's. Presley created new styles by gyrating his hips and dressing differently. Parker accepted that the outing would be a return to big live performances, choosing the old television set for Elvis to film a special. The chickens danced because they were on a sawdust-covered hot plate. Elvis also agreed to provide financial support for her and their child in the event of a divorce. It was claimed he took 50 per cent of Elvis earnings which was not true. The most she could point to were a series of eyewitness statements that suggested the killer had been an unusually well-dressed man, clad in a bright coatlight yellow, always Tom Parkers favorite color. Is it better to be in the eye of a hurricane? Why bother to paint both sides? Presley received $4.6 million. With them was actor Danny Thomas, there on behalf of St. Jude, the Memphis research hospital Thomas had founded to help find cures for catastrophic childhood diseases. Colonel Tom Parker, Elviss manager from 1955 to his death in 1977, earned an estimated $50 million from the singers estate. Kleins reputation has been overshadowed as the man who drove the Rolling Stones into exile, and broke up the Beatles, but he didnt curb the musical enthusiasm. Nor had he ever been naturalized as an American. Details of Van Kuijks childhood in Breda eventually emerged a few years later, but only in Its Elvis Time, a small-circulation Dutch fan magazine. He took 25 per cent which, at that time, was the industry standard., Todd claimed there was only a 50/50 split between Elvis and the Colonel when it came to licensing and merchandise, insisting: But it was never a 50/50 split on his earnings.. Whats his name?. Elvis was just as famous in London, Berlin and Tokyoyet in a career of almost 30 years, he played a total of only three concerts on foreign soil, in Canada in 1957. But others in the Colonels circle disagreed. 5 million, which would be almost $45. 8 million, approximately $69. Parker's response: . He took the name Tom Parker when he enlisted in the Army, christening himself after the officer who interviewed him. Following his death in 1977, Elvis estate has grown significantly due to the continuous production of official merchandise and the use of his music in various media. ELVIS PRESLEY and Colonel Tom Parker had a complex relationship over the years and the manager is widely reported to have taken an extortionate 50 per cent cut of all the King's earnings.. In other words, if thats not what happened back in Holland, something equally awful did.. But his investigation took a much more sinister turn after he received a second tip in 1980. Members of the Colonels family even recalled that he had been paid to make deliveries for a greengrocer in the area, though they could no longer remember which one. Elvis: Thats The Way It Is is re-released in cinemas August 13 and celebrates 85 years of the King and 50 years since the films original release. In other words, his loyal subjects killed the king. In the 1980s and 1990s David Ruggerio was a rising star of French cooking in New Yorkand a protocelebrity chef with cookbooks and TV shows to his name. A guide to the hidden references in this buzzy anthologys new episodes, from first-season callbacks to what, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodwards Daughters Appreciated the Fuck Hut Detail Too. Faced with this problem, Parker could not keep up with the pace of presentations and eventually had to allow Elvis to return to his Graceland residence, dedicating himself only to receiving his royalties from RCA but without returning to recordings. Huntington, West Virginia, meanwhile, was a stop along the route of the carnivals that the Dutch teenager worked when he first came to the States. 2 million, or $79. Parker continued to benefit even after Elviss death. | READ MORE. The shock of hearing Colonel Parker say his Dutch name, something he had ferociously protected from the world for 65 years, made me mute. Because of this fact, Parker convinced Elvis that a concert abroad would be risky for personal safety reasons, and that outside the US he would not find suitable settings for a star of his fame. Elvis Presley immediately began his career as a great rock star and Parker soon realized that Elviss personal charisma and stage dominance led him to a new mass media, television. What Baz tantalized me with, right off the bat, was heres a guy who saw the opportunity to manifest a once-in-a-lifetime talent into a cultural force.. Rian Johnson, Halle Berry, and More Share Their Inspiration, From the Archive: The Man Who Kept Marilyns Secrets (1991), Listen toVFsLittle Gold MenPodcast for Unrivaled Awards-Season Coverage, 2023 Cond Nast. Elvis wanted to perform, it was his life, he said. Epstein would never think about stepping into the studio while the Beatles were recording. Elsewhere in this section of the film, Parkerwho in real life had sold the network on the idea of a Christmas special so he could turn Elvis into a late-60s Bing Crosbyappears as a bumbling rube in his insistence that Elvis sing Here Comes Santa Claus. Its funny, but renders Parker ridiculous. Yes, Lisa Marie Presley still owns Graceland, the Memphis, Tennessee home of her father, Elvis Presley. He had been born there in June 1909, the seventh child of a delivery driver and his wife. He did give a bill to Elvis and his father and business manager, Vernon Presley, for money he had spent or advanced . Hanks, on the other hand, never disappears into the role of Parker. By the 1960s, Parker could have placed a phone call directly to Lyndon Johnson to smooth out any problems with his naturalization. Not the least of them was that he was an illegal immigrant, reaching the United States most probably through Canada. Is there a difference between regular HDMI cable and 4K cable? K-pop stars break under the pressure even today. For songs published before 1978, fluctuating ownership of the copyrights and royalties is the result of a number of factors, including the original copyright registration in 1956, the Copyright Act of 1976, and the effect of legislations like the Music Modernization Act of 2018. When asked about the deal in 1968, the Colonel responded: Thats not true at all. Parkers shows brought in big crowds, but he got screwed by management when it came time to pay out. Some showbusiness people are always on stage; Elvis wasnt, he explained. Though his will specifically prohibited anyone from contesting the will, many of Elvis relatives attempted to dispute the validity of the document. The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now, Scene Stealer: The True Lies of Elisabeth Finch, Part 2. According to a Life magazine article written in 1969, Richard Nixon even referred to Parker as The Millionaire Manager. Parker initially rejected Binders project, but shortly afterward Elvis himself insisted on going ahead, aware that only a luxurious and well-cared television presentation would restore him to prominence on the music scene. Parker signed a contract with RCA Records to buy Presley the recording rights to his songs for $40,000 (which included $5,000 going directly to Elvis as a premium), a considerable sum at the time. Half Man, Half Animal! He took that really seriously. I'm sure that MGM also took the money back from Elvis' record sales. In those fits of rage, he was a very dangerous man, and he certainly appeared capable of killing. While managing Elvis and traveling the country in the late 50s, the Colonel was accompanied by William Morris agent-in-training Byron Raphael, who remembered, He often took me to these little carnivals that were so small they didnt even have a big tent. And Nash, Vellenga and every other biographer of both Presley and Parker acknowledge that the Colonel never showed much interest in women. . And when Alanna Nash went through the Dutch courts to obtain a copy of the original police report on the murder, she found that nowhere in its 130 handwritten pages was there any mention of the young man who would become the Colonel. Elvis himself amassed considerable wealth throughout his lifetime and due to his worldwide success, especially after his death, his estate has only increased in value. In parallel, Parker feared that Elvis in Germany would decide to take on another manager, or that on his return he would have lost favor with the public. You can unsubscribe at any time. 1. The Colonel made a joke out of both. Some of them have received royalty payments, as well as rights to use his name. These include financial security for the Presley family and other associated individuals, as well as funds for charitable causes. Culture Editor Tony Sokol is a writer, playwright and musician. Thomas Andrew Parkers real name was Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk. Elvis and the Colonel were associated throughout the musician's entire career, including music, movies, and TV specials. It is unclear whether or not Priscilla actually received the full $100,000 stipulated in the prenuptial agreement, as records related to the settlement are not public. The Foundation is funded by royalties from Elviss music and proceeds from licensing agreements. The proceeds from Graceland are currently divided between Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, and the Elvis Presley Trust. I will say that he had an amazing ability to compartmentalize events and feelings in his mind. The discovery left Vellenga perplexed. Supposing Parker had that $100 million in 1977 when Elvis died, he'd have had a $270 million net worth when he died two decades later, per Dollar Times. The Beatles were managing themselves by that time and had produced their own film while Epstein was still alive. The band said they werent sure, so Phillips told them to do it again. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Colonel Tom Parker was Elvis Presley's manager for more than 20 years, and was with him when he died on August 16, 1977. With the passage of the Music Modernization Act, the independent administrator, the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), was created and given access to Gracelands Elvis Presley Enterprises and Sony/ATV Musics music library to oversee mechanical licensing. Subsequent lawsuits left Colonel estranged from the estate but not completely divorced from it, as Priscilla invited Parker to several notable milestones and anniversaries. Probably he had known the woman; perhaps he had even desired herand then been angered by her recent marriage. Advertising Notice They might also have discovered that Tom Parker had never held a U.S. passportand that while he had served in the U.S. Army, he had done so as a private. Anna van den Enden, a 23-year-old newlywed, had been battered to death in the living quarters behind her storea greengrocers on the Bochstraat. After Elvis' death, an investigation concluded that Parker's management deal of 50% was extortionate compared to the usual average of 15-20%, as well as that Parker's handling of Presley's business affairs during his lifetime was "unethical" and mishandled. But his apparent unwillingness to solve what should have been a minor problem does remain a puzzle. It is a deal that severed the Presley estate from the royalties for more than 700 songs and put $2.6 million in the colonel's pocket. When brother Ad returned to Breda, moreover, he remained perplexingly silent on the subject of Driess glamorous new life. While his movies tended to gross smaller amounts than todays blockbusters, they were still highly successful given the budgets of the time. Tom Hanks plays this villainy broadly with cartoonish gusto, veering somewhere between Snidely Whiplash and Sydney Greenstreet. 4 million from his movies, $4. He died in 1997 at the age of 87. It wound up being the A-side of what sowed the seeds of a revolution. They would always point to a particular sentence in their contract to deny him his fair share. Released as a 3-CD 5" digi-pak, this set features three 1974 concerts recorded via soundboard at The Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas on January 28, 29 Midnight and February 1 . Absolutely considering he was overweight and smoked. The estate is managed by the Presley familys trust, and it primarily provides income to Lisa Marie through the lucrative use of her fathers name and likeness. Parker kept Presley on a leash from the very beginning. Since Elvis was the biggest name in the entertainment industry, his manager could hardly help appearing in the spotlight, too. In addition, she has various other investments, including music publishing rights and royalties, which provide additional financial returns to the estate. The Colonel waged war against his most loyal soldier. The Colonels exposure as an illegal immigrant makes it easier to understand his deep reluctance to leave the Statesor even, as he once confided to a trusted assistant, to pick up the check he had earned while working his passage from the Netherlands.