Col. Parker and the death threat?

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

Forgive me right off if this sounds way out there. But I was thinking today how much Elvis wanted to go overseas and how we now know Col. Parker wouldn't do it because he was an illegal. I've also heard all about Elvis' medications, but that doesn't jive with me because there have been so many get away with that, even ones that didn't have their own plane. I started to think about the Col. telling Elvis and everyone that it was a security issue with all the open stadiums and about when he started saying that. Could it be that the Col. was feeling pressured enough to have started the death threat to make the security issue more valid and real to Elvis? I wouldn't put it past the Colonel to do something like that and it would make it alot easier talking Elvis into not going overseas? Anyway, just wondering what you guys might think of that. Never heard that as a theory before.

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm:hmm:

[Dovey]

:hmm::hmm: Parker was a game player and would do anything to get what he wanted.. I never really thought about it before but... it sure is a good possbility.

Of all the books I have bought about Elvis -The Col.'s is the one that I really never finished reading. He was a liar and would do anything to get more $$$$$$$$$$$$$. His disregard for Elvis's health really turned me off. Dovey ;)

[Miss Clawdy]

:hmm::hmm: Parker was a game player and would do anything to get what he wanted.. I never really thought about it before but... it sure is a good possbility.

Of all the books I have bought about Elvis -The Col.'s is the one that I really never finished reading. He was a liar and would do anything to get more $$$$$$$$$$$$$. His disregard for Elvis's health really turned me off. Dovey ;)


I agree 100%. I think he was capable of doing everything for money. I've read that he had to leave the Netherlands because he was accused of murder. And I also don't believe that his business sense was that brilliant, remember the tremendous success of the '68 comeback special which was not his idea and where he was not involved in very much.

[riley]

he sure was capable of that.:angry::angry:

[toffe]

:hmm::hmm: Parker was a game player and would do anything to get what he wanted.. I never really thought about it before but... it sure is a good possbility.

Of all the books I have bought about Elvis -The Col.'s is the one that I really never finished reading. He was a liar and would do anything to get more $$$$$$$$$$$$$. His disregard for Elvis's health really turned me off. Dovey ;)


I fully agree with you!!

[Diane]

I'm also in agreement with everyone that yes it could be a possible that the colonel was involved in cooking up some kind of scheme to keep Elvis from performing overseas.

I believe that being a schemer was his sole reason for living.

Diane

[riley]

Colonel kept Elvis under his thumbs for his all life.:angry:

[Miss Clawdy]

Colonel kept Elvis under his thumbs for his all life.:angry:

Yes the Colonel was (n)(n)(n)

[TCBnAflash]

I believe the Colonel was only good for the first part of Elvis' career. After he went into the ARMY he should've just kept the Colonel as a Promotional Manager..I would say a PR man but he was an ilegal. As far as the picking the music he totally suck at as well. He and his buddies had a percentage in all the publishing rights. That's why Marty Lacker stepped in and intruduced all these awesome songs to him. That whole 68-69 recording sessions, in memphis was Mary Lacker's doing, not the Colonel.

[jak]

I've never heard any evidence to support that theory.The Colonel was no angel but it's a little unfair to level charges at him that dont have any facts behind them.
I personally believe Elvis never toured overseas due to the lack of his own motivation.He would have went if he really had the desire.By the time it was obvious how profitable the tours were Elvis was no longer up for the challenge.Elvis was a creature of habit and his routine of playing secondary markets night after night was locked in.He could switch to autopilot and that was it.Elvis made no attempt in the 70's to do anything but the routine he got use to.Blame Elvis' complacency for the missed chance of going abroad,not the Colonel.
Jak

[goodelvisgirl]

the colonel was good cos he got elvis career kick started but after that he tried to sell him out he did anything fo the right price i believe it cost elvis his life but hey all theorys are possible i mean we will never know

[KPM]

I blame them both! it seemed he truely wanted to go in the early 70s but the Col. didn't. This is when Elvis should have said Col. make the deal. Instead he came up with the Satellite special and told ELvis the time was not right. They both are equally to blame. Elvis for not insisting when he was motivated to go, the Col. for not wanting to go- ever.
IMO Its obvious now why the Col. never visited Elvis in Germany while he was overseas in the army-he was afraid to get into the whole issue of how he got here. It was a lot easier to cover ones tracks and start a life in the 30s in America than today. He had kept his illegal status from being a problem so he did not want to chance overseas trips. He never ever left America after getting into it.
When you need a plumber you do not second guess him on what he says needs to be done (unless you yourself are an expert in plumbing)-when you get a manager for a career I imagine you do it because you are not the expert business and you trust him for decisions on your career.
Elvis did what every up and coming star does he got a manager. BUT -when he finally wanted to go overseas he should have begun to question why the Col. was "always saying the time wasn't right" IMO by late 73 he was no longer motivated to do it(which probably made the Col. happy)
If the COl. really wanted to help Elvis in 73 instead of selling the pre 1973 music catalogue to RCA for a few million dollars he could have easily (with a mornings phone calls ) set up a European tour for tens of millions in profit to Elvis. For years since Elvis had gone back to live performing he got weekly offers from overseas -and he turned them down! If he and Elvis needed money this would have been the easiest way to produce it bigtime. Instead the COl. (not wanting to leave the country) took a short term deal with little in true worth and told Elvis "This is a smart deal, the old stuff is expendable"
This almost universally seen as one of the most horrible deals in music history. IMO the worst deal the COl. ever negotiated supposedly for Elvis. I've read The COl. ended up with more out of this deal, after all was said and done, than Elvis.
Elvis should have in the late 60s began to put 2 and 2 together on a lot of things.

[Merry]

Perhaps he did.

Jess

[Raised on Rock]

I blame them both! it seemed he truely wanted to go in the early 70s but the Col. didn't. This is when Elvis should have said Col. make the deal. Instead he came up with the Satellite special and told ELvis the time was not right. They both are equally to blame. Elvis for not insisting when he was motivated to go, the Col. for not wanting to go- ever.
IMO Its obvious now why the Col. never visited Elvis in Germany while he was overseas in the army-he was afraid to get into the whole issue of how he got here. It was a lot easier to cover ones tracks and start a life in the 30s in America than today. He had kept his illegal status from being a problem so he did not want to chance overseas trips. He never ever left America after getting into it.
When you need a plumber you do not second guess him on what he says needs to be done (unless you yourself are an expert in plumbing)-when you get a manager for a career I imagine you do it because you are not the expert business and you trust him for decisions on your career.
Elvis did what every up and coming star does he got a manager. BUT -when he finally wanted to go overseas he should have begun to question why the Col. was "always saying the time wasn't right" IMO by late 73 he was no longer motivated to do it(which probably made the Col. happy)
If the COl. really wanted to help Elvis in 73 instead of selling the pre 1973 music catalogue to RCA for a few million dollars he could have easily (with a mornings phone calls ) set up a European tour for tens of millions in profit to Elvis. For years since Elvis had gone back to live performing he got weekly offers from overseas -and he turned them down! If he and Elvis needed money this would have been the easiest way to produce it bigtime. Instead the COl. (not wanting to leave the country) took a short term deal with little in true worth and told Elvis "This is a smart deal, the old stuff is expendable"
This almost universally seen as one of the most horrible deals in music history. IMO the worst deal the COl. ever negotiated supposedly for Elvis. I've read The COl. ended up with more out of this deal, after all was said and done, than Elvis.
Elvis should have in the late 60s began to put 2 and 2 together on a lot of things.

Totally agree with you, both are to blame, Elvis was great in many aspects but he had that tendency to totally screw himself to often, to much of an habit person? a lack of vision? insecurity? wasn?t he aware how big he was?

On the other hand, Col. PArker was an inovator during the 50's and the very early 60's, you have to give him credit to that, people like Epstein or Oldham, and many other legendary rock managers, the people who created the rock bussines just followed his steps in many ways, but the true is that by the late 60's the bussines changed a lot, and Col. Parker was total old school, as an example to that, back in the 50's and prior to that, to get a 5 years contract to perform in Vegas would have been the big time, but by the late 60's Vegas was playing safe and not the best move, the right move would have been just one season, or even skip that and go right into tour the main rock stages and of course go overseas.

There was big money on touring overseas, that was obvious for both Col. and E. but Col. knew he had to let go Elvis by himself and stay in the US and that meant only one thing to Col: Elvis will get in touch with reality and would have loose control over him. REMEMBER HOW HE GET RID OF JERRY LEIBER an MIKE STOLLER back in '57, the reason was simply, Leiber, Stoller and Presley were an unmatchable team, I would like to say these: THe Beatles, at least during the first half of the 60's would have been no competition for the Leiber, Stoller, Presley team up, and those cats also had conections in the movies, Col. Parker? NEEDLESs, so, when I think it was Jerry who aproched Elvis with an incredible scrip for a movie, PArker said, these cats will never ever will be closer to Elvis, well Parker was just protecting his job, but it was Elvis to blame not saying the hell with the COl. I wIll team up with these guys. The hell with the Col. Im going overseas.

I don?t know if Parker was capable of going as far as making up the Dead Threats, but he surely scared out Elvis to the point he didn?t realize he didn?t needed Parker at all.

[jak]

The selling of Elvis' catalogue was a bad move but one that Elvis embraced.He wanted and needed the money.None of the things the Colonel did could happen without Elvis' consent.Im just not convinced Elvis desired to go overseas and perform.He would have made it happen if that's what he wanted.Elvis was not one to rock the boat and take risks during his career.Im guessing he was unsure about going out of the country and performing.Most of all he probably didnt want the hassle of it.I think he liked staying in his comfort zone.
Jak

[4THEHEART]

as always Jak,:rolleyes:Elvis is the one to blame for not going overseas?..as for everything that damaged him..have you ever wonder if there's a possibility tha there could be at least one wish or dream in his heart that never came true..how can he be the most fortunate guy that everything in his life went according his own plans and wishes..well, I wish he'd rocked that boat enough, to sink,so we all could have seen what a huge crowd was dead in it..crowd of miserables who owe their breads to his "patience"..

[KPM]

I agree to a point. If Elvis had doubts about Europe his first 3 engagements at the International had to put them to rest. He was sold out months in advance and had reservations from virtually every civilized country. There were on many nights as many overseas fans in the audience as Americans. I agree after 1973 he was in his comfort zone, but in 70 and 71 he was ready for the changes which were happening in his career. In his few interviews in the early 70s when he is asked if he will tour overseas he says yes or we're working on it. The Col. was in charge of guiding Elvis's career- that was his job. The way the Col worked was he would negotiate the deals he initiated for Elvis and he would report the outside offers and recommend why or why not they should be accepted. The Col. never initiated any offers outside the US that I have read about or that has been reported. (That includes his managing Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow in the 40s) It is correct Elvis could have said "Set it up!" But he did trust and respect the Col. and he was hired to recommend deals and career moves. The Col had been saying for years the time is not right. There were many deals over the years that the Col. recommended and Elvis accepted. Some were good, some not so good. The long term deal with the International in Vegas is another I have read was not as good as it should have been. He did not get Elvis top royalty rates in the late 60s and 70s from RCA when compared to the Beatles, Stones, etc-even thought he was the number 2 record seller for the 60s and number one in the 50s. If the Col had said "The time is right for Europe lets go" IMO Elvis would have said "Set it Up"

IMO the Col. was negligent for not getting Elvis there in the early 70s. Elvis was ripe to go-but the COl was not ever interested in going to Europe and had never shown any real interest for any artist he ever managed to do so.

The reason I mentioned the 73 catalogue sale is because Elvis, due to his life style,and the Col (because of gambling) were looking for cash. The satellite show and the catalogue sale were in the same year. Compare the money Elvis could have made if he had gone overseas to the money he got for the Satellite show and . I mean you go from 100s of thousands dollars to tens of millions If the Col. had this magical nose for making money it sure failed him this year. The foolish sale of the catalogue would not have been needed. If Elvis had toured for a summer in Europe it could have been near a 100 million tour. But the Col had been getting outrageous offers for years for a European tour and he had to know the money that they could make.
So you have to ask yourself if he knew the potential for millions why did he not recommend it as "too good to turn down"? Lets be logical because he was afraid to leave the country. He was probably happy in the mid 70s when Elvis had lost the desire for such a challenge.
IMO The Col was a great carny and until 65 I think he was a good manager- after that he made big mistakes and in this case he did not do what was best for Elvis's career-he should have pushed for the tour overseas( if you are correct that Elvis did not want it) I mean If Elvis had wanted to run his own career he would have never hired Parker to start with.
I think any other person (with a modem of business sense) in early 1970 would have begun to set up a European tour -England, Germany, Japan, Norway Sweden, etc -Elvis was back on top, great reviews of his live shows, he had gained respect from younger sudiences, and his records were selling again. IMO There is only one reason he did not go-The COl. did not want to leave the US because of his past.
We'll probably have to agree to disagree on this.:)

[Diane]

Here's one who agrees 100%(y)

Diane

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

There will always be a debate about this question; the honest answer has to be, what is the path of least resistance and the easiest way to make money with the minimum amount of hassle? Stay in the states and tour continuously and you are guaranteed to make millions of $$ per year!

I think that if Elvis had decided to go to Europe in 1970 to 1971 Elvis would have got himself into shape, stayed off the meds and just rocketed worldwide. Imagine "That's The Way It Is" had been filmed on tour around Europe?!!.

By the end of 1972 Elvis was already in a downward spiral, you only have to watch the announcement of the Aloha shows to see that Elvis was in the grip of a serious drug habit. At this point he still had the ability to pull it together as the Aloha shows prove but the question you have to ask is if Elvis would go on to a TV show to Announce the Aloha shows whilst under the influence and in the full glare of the world, what was he like behind the scenes when he wasn't in front of the camera's? I don't doubt that Elvis may have had legitimate reasons to take his "prescribed medication" however the effect it had on him was detrimental.

I'm sure the Colonel had his ulterior motives for not recommending some of the deals abroad, some of them selfish. I do believe that there were very probably other considerations with regards to Elvis' lifestyle that the Colonel could not "handle" should Elvis be abroad. If Elvis stayed in America Elvis' Image and lifestyle choices could be handled quickly and effectively by the network the Colonel had setup. It is too easy to blame the Colonel and it is too easy to blame Elvis. It's more complicated than that. Despite being a multinational superstar Elvis was quite simply someone that did not understand his global position within the world; more importantly neither did the Colonel

Now before I get shot down in flames by the "He was only human brigade" It is quite possible that had Elvis gone to Europe he would have perhaps be less inclined to over prescribe, my point is, was there an incentive big enough that would galvanise the two of them into action? Obviously there wasn't! Elvis was a home bird who didn't want to stray too far from the nest.

[jak]

as always Jak,:rolleyes:Elvis is the one to blame for not going overseas?..as for everything that damaged him..have you ever wonder if there's a possibility tha there could be at least one wish or dream in his heart that never came true..how can he be the most fortunate guy that everything in his life went according his own plans and wishes..well, I wish he'd rocked that boat enough, to sink,so we all could have seen what a huge crowd was dead in it..crowd of miserables who owe their breads to his "patience"..

Elvis was in charge of his own destiny.The Colonel was an employee.Why do some of you always portray Elvis as a timid sheep being led around on a leash?The reasons behind Elvis not going overseas are probably the same ones that kept him doing the same show night after night and telling the same jokes night after night.Some of you may not realize how repetitive his shows were.Elvis was comfortable in that routine.He didnt have to work hard.Elvis got lazy and that's the bottom line.He could do whatever he wanted.To think otherwise is just some childish way to shift blame away from him.The only thing that stood in his way were his own shortcomings.
Jak

[Merry]

Elvis was in charge of his own destiny.The Colonel was an employee.Why do some of you always portray Elvis as a timid sheep being led around on a leash?The reasons behind Elvis not going overseas are probably the same ones that kept him doing the same show night after night and telling the same jokes night after night.Some of you may not realize how repetitive his shows were.Elvis was comfortable in that routine.He didnt have to work hard.Elvis got lazy and that's the bottom line.He could do whatever he wanted.To think otherwise is just some childish way to shift blame away from him.The only thing that stood in his way were his own shortcomings.
Jak


Elvis is far from timid, although I don't think that is what was meant.

The rest is your opinion, which a lot of people would disagree with, is my opinion. What makes us human and separates us as human beings (yes JJ) is empathy and care for others. When we care for others, our lives are more fulfilling. Elvis did this, he was before his time with regard to so many things.

All people have bad days, life isn't black and white, we wouldn't know unless there, and as a politician famously said here in Australia, years ago: "Life Wasn't Meant to be Easy".

Elvis still lived his incredibly full life with class, packing more into those 42 years of life, than most of us would, in a lifetime. As has been said before, people wouldn't be discussing Elvis, be so fascinated with his life, if they didn't admire him in every way. We agree on that, this I know.

So there you go, there are my beliefs.

Jess

[Diane]

There's an old saying I'm sure everyone's heard "no man is an island". Your family, your friends, even a passing acquaintance can leave a very profound impression on your life that helps shape it and you are never even aware of it.

That can be good or it can be bad depending on whether the influence is a positive or a negative one.

No one can possibly say that the colonel was a positive influence in a good portion of Elvis' career (starting with the awful films) nor can anyone say that his entourage were a positive influence by aiding him in his addiction and otherwise bad behavior. If he was forced to marry Priscilla (no one really knows for sure), there is another negative force bearing down on him, true partly his fault for agreeing to let her move in but a negative force nonetheless. All that on top of coming from a dysfunctional family, an earth shattering rise in fame in such a short time at a young age had to have a huge impact on his life and his lack of wanting to take on anything more.

Still, he continued to please his fans to the point that he still has a huge following 30 years after his death, didn't acquire enough ego not to wonder why he was getting all the adulation, gave millions of dollars worth of gifts to people, had a great sense of humor etc., etc., etc. C'mon people, do you really think any of us could have done so much better? I believe most people would have caved in long before he did.

No matter how famous or how rich and powerful a person may be, there is no one that ever has full control of his or her life.

Diane

[Merry]

There's an old saying I'm sure everyone's heard "no man is an island". <snip>

Still, he continued to please his fans to the point that he still has a huge following 30 years after his death, didn't acquire enough ego not to wonder why he was getting all the adulation, gave millions of dollars worth of gifts to people, had a great sense of humor etc., etc., etc. C'mon people, do you really think any of us could have done so much better? I believe most people would have caved in long before he did.
No matter how famous or how rich and powerful a person may be, there is no one that ever has full control of his or her life.

Diane


Beautifully said, Diane. I'm glad you shared your thoughts. Elvis had incredible strength. What I've highlighted, is particularly apt, in my opinion.

Take care,
Jess

[jak]

As great as Elvis was I firmly believe he could have achieved even greater things if not for his self destructive nature.Elvis didnt strive to achieve greater success in later years.He didnt push himself.A tour overseas would have been spectacular if done at the right time.He just didnt want to do it.His attitude towards his career is obvious in the later years.The evidence can be found in the endless short tours and his disregard for his recording career in the 70's.Elvis became basically just a live performer doing the same thing over and over.He had the world in the palm of his hand and he let it slip away.Elvis lack of creative drive and the drugs were a leathal combination.He achieved more than anyone else in his career but I think he could have built on his legacy during the 70's rather than become a parody of himself.
Jak

[Diane]

Yes he did Jak but I believe it was a combination of his finding both his personal and professional life extremely hard to handle and you can imagine it was. That with the combination of the drug addiction did him in. Remember someone found him sitting outside at one time and he said he was tired of being Elvis. That was a heavy load for anyone to carry.

If he had been a colder less sensitive person it probably wouldn't have affected him as much and he might possibly still be here. Another thing is that he stretched himself in too many directions and took too many people in as family to take care for instead of just concentrating on his career.

It's true that it was his choice to live that way, I'm sure thinking he could handle it, but all of it was just too much and would have been except for colder, tougher personalities.

Diane

[4THEHEART]

so what do you think the drugs(the real amount I mean..)were for dear Jak..I think you consider him as a healthy person..no he wasn't..he just couldn't get the right treatment..I hate all the drugs including aspirin,antibiotics which I had to take big amounts since I was a little kid and the steroids, completely a terribly wrong prescription by a "doctor" since I was only 8,and the drugs my father takes for his Parkinson's..they cause hallucination,weakin the heart condition,causing digestive problems,making him sleep during the day and more,the ones people take for rheumatism they are poison instead of being healing stuff but that so called modern medical can't give anything to us other than these s..t..:mad:I can see how doctors solved his health problems in a very short time by using strong medication so he was still on stage..and if you don't have the problem called insomnia,you are lucky cause it's a curse that destroys one's life forever and if you have to follow a schedule in your life you have to use some g-dam-n drugs for sure..
for being not creative,who else could be more:rolleyes:..using his abilities was the job of those wise bussiness people around him who sucked his blood..the lack of creative capacity was surrounded him business wise..I think it was early for this earth to host him during that period..no one was ready so it seems..

[Diane]

I thought of something else that parallels what Elvis went through. He was the first in his field. Compare that to a first child.......depending on individual personalities, the second child usually learns from the mistakes the first one makes how to better deal with certain situations and sometimes to manipulate the parents and others for what he or she wants. The third or more gets even better at it.

Well, Elvis had no one to look back on to help him make the decisions - he was the first and only. I know what I'm talking about here - I'm a first child and I know every first child can relate to what I'm saying:D

Diane

[Shelly]

Parker was a game player and would do anything to get what he wanted.. I never really thought about it before but... it sure is a good possbility.

Of all the books I have bought about Elvis -The Col.'s is the one that I really never finished reading. He was a liar and would do anything to get more $$$$$$$$$$$$$. His disregard for Elvis's health really
turned me off. Dovey


I also agree 100%
Shelly

[Joe Car]

Elvis was in charge of his own destiny.The Colonel was an employee.Why do some of you always portray Elvis as a timid sheep being led around on a leash?The reasons behind Elvis not going overseas are probably the same ones that kept him doing the same show night after night and telling the same jokes night after night.Some of you may not realize how repetitive his shows were.Elvis was comfortable in that routine.He didnt have to work hard.Elvis got lazy and that's the bottom line.He could do whatever he wanted.To think otherwise is just some childish way to shift blame away from him.The only thing that stood in his way were his own shortcomings.
Jak

You are 100% wrong, the Colonel was in charge, not Elvis. Elvis did not choose venues, did not do any contract negotiations, he soley relied on the Colonel for this aspect of his career. Truth is, the Colonel was a degenerate gambler, who stole money from his client. He booked the biggest star in the world, a man who shattered every attendance record in Vegas, for less or equal money then that of other stars playing at the time. He did not want to leave Vegas, because the Hilton had something nice and cozy set up, and they gave him an unlimited marker. He was a sick man, who when his client needed him the most, couldn't help him. Do I have to remind you of the Larry Geller incident in Louisville of 77, while Dr. Nick was dunking Elvis' head in an ice bucket to revive him, the Colonel walked in, came out and said to Geller, "all that matters, is that he's on stage tonight." Our guy had a problem, and yes it effected some of his shows, but to call him lazy, is really a joke. He performed thousands of concerts, did 33 movies, made 3 lp's a year, was unbelievable in the studio, all in the span of twenty years. He never took one or two years off "to find himself" or to travel, (though I wish he would of) he was consistently working for the most part, his whole adult life, supporting countless of people.

[KPM]

Like I said Jak you and I will have to agree to disagree on some of this. IMO If every man is totally in charge of his life and destiny then he is on an Island alone. I have an insurance agent who guides me in that area, I have a doctor who I trust to help keep me healthy, I depend on people I work with to do their jobs so I can do mine, in my 401K I have a man who helps me decide how and where to put my funds, etc... these are all people who are much more knowledgeable about these things than I and have kept me from making many mistakes by their recommendations. I do have the right to override them but rarely do because they are the supposed experts. IMO at the level of Elvis's career (unprecedented up to that time) the amount of needed help and advice would be mutiplied 1000 fold. There would be questions that he and his parents were not prepared to tackle. Elvis and his parents had put the Col. in control early on for a reason. Elvis was the worlds greatest singer -not the worlds greatest manager. It is widely known the COl. had convinced them he would always put Elvis's best interests first and do the best for him and his career. They knew he had been a great shrewd manager for other artists and they themselves had no experience of any kind in the type of deals that were being fired at them. Elvis put his faith in the Colonels ability to choose which deals were best for Elvis. All I'm saying is IMO in this case he did not do that, he was a major block in making the overseas tour happen for, possible, a lot of reasons but mainly the one I stated he was afraid to leave the US. (and those are not just my opinion but many critics and books have stated the same thing) If the Col had Elvis's interests at heart 1970 was the year to do it, 1971 at the latest. The iron was hot from 69-71 and the Col let it slip. You point out how Elvis lost his creative drive by the mid 70s and you are correct. IMO if I am right about he COl.s fear of leaving the country being the block for any European tour then he has a hand in helping Elvis get into the rut he was in after 73. The tour would surely have been a success that would have even further inspired Elvis to stay on top. The 68 special had done that for him, hit records form 68 to 73 had done it for him, his tours in 70 and 71 did that for him and finally the Aloha show sparked him for a short time. If he had got in "one tour" of Europe in 70-71 he would have had another avenue to perform which would not have been the same old thing. Vegas may have been not relied upon so much, since he would have surely made millions in Europe and the same routes thru the US would have been used less.
I see your train of thought on this and- it is a valid argument- but I just do not happen to agree.
I will say this I can not blame the Col. for being afraid of leaving the country he had covered his tracks well and its easy to see he would not want to chance it. He was human also, he is allowed fears, mistakes, and problems just like everyone. But this problem of his lapped over into Elvis's life and career. It kept him from doing the best logical move to keep Elvis's career moving forward while he had momnetum. IMO Not going to Europe in the early 70s was directly connected to this problem. Indirectly the 73 sale of the catalogue to RCA is also connected to this because money may not have been as big a problem for them both.

[Joe Car]

First and foremost, the Colonel was a con man, thus God only knows what he told Elvis with regards to the sale of the catalogue to RCA. He knew that Elvis needed money, but most likely failed to mention to Elvis, that he needed money as well, since he was blowing his brains out at the roulette wheel. It's because of his own personal addiction, that he stifled Elvis, by boxing him in. Sometimes when people get into a rut, it takes somebody else from the outside looking in, to help them, unfortunately for Elvis, it was hard for anybody to penetrate the world that he was forced to create.

[Joe Car]

As great as Elvis was I firmly believe he could have achieved even greater things if not for his self destructive nature.Elvis didnt strive to achieve greater success in later years.He didnt push himself.A tour overseas would have been spectacular if done at the right time.He just didnt want to do it.His attitude towards his career is obvious in the later years.The evidence can be found in the endless short tours and his disregard for his recording career in the 70's.Elvis became basically just a live performer doing the same thing over and over.He had the world in the palm of his hand and he let it slip away.Elvis lack of creative drive and the drugs were a leathal combination.He achieved more than anyone else in his career but I think he could have built on his legacy during the 70's rather than become a parody of himself.
Jak

Jak, the man suffered from depression, which can suck the life out of any creativity, or work habits. Nobody could ever question Elvis' work ethic until late into his life. If you see photos of him around Feb 1976, he clearly looked ill, as the spark was missing in his eyes. He didn't suffer from this all the time, but periodically from 1972, until he passed away. I know the signs unfortunately, as mental illness has been prevalent in my family as both my sisters, and my wife have suffered from it in the past.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Elvis is far from timid, although I don't think that is what was meant.

The rest is your opinion, which a lot of people would disagree with, is my opinion. What makes us human and separates us as human beings (yes JJ) is empathy and care for others. When we care for others, our lives are more fulfilling. Elvis did this, he was before his time with regard to so many things.

All people have bad days, life isn't black and white, we wouldn't know unless there, and as a politician famously said here in Australia, years ago: "Life Wasn't Meant to be Easy".

Elvis still lived his incredibly full life with class, packing more into those 42 years of life, than most of us would, in a lifetime. As has been said before, people wouldn't be discussing Elvis, be so fascinated with his life, if they didn't admire him in every way. We agree on that, this I know.

So there you go, there are my beliefs.

Jess

Hi Jess, I don?t understand why you feel you have to add me in brackets in a pejorative way in your explanation of how YOU perceive Elvis? I don?t recall questioning Elvis? loyalty, friendship or his ability to connect with and love his fans. I merely offered a considered explanation for why Elvis did not tour Europe. Your reply feels like you are offended by certain responses in this thread and you have gone to the extent of specifically quoting Jak and myself. I have the utmost respect for people having views (many I disagree with I might add) I have however learned from previous experiences (some recently) that it is better to avoid comments I disagree with unless incited to do so. For reasons that only you can explain you go on the defensive whenever someone opens up any discussion regarding the ?medication? scenario. Yes these are my opinions but so are the other 28 posts? There will always be views that express some uncomfortable truths, this is unavoidable, I would ask that you extend the courtesy you have asked from me in the past and let me enjoy my freedom of speech whether or not it offends you sensibilities.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

You are 100% wrong, the Colonel was in charge, not Elvis. Elvis did not choose venues, did not do any contract negotiations, he soley relied on the Colonel for this aspect of his career. Truth is, the Colonel was a degenerate gambler, who stole money from his client. He booked the biggest star in the world, a man who shattered every attendance record in Vegas, for less or equal money then that of other stars playing at the time. He did not want to leave Vegas, because the Hilton had something nice and cozy set up, and they gave him an unlimited marker. He was a sick man, who when his client needed him the most, couldn't help him. Do I have to remind you of the Larry Geller incident in Louisville of 77, while Dr. Nick was dunking Elvis' head in an ice bucket to revive him, the Colonel walked in, came out and said to Geller, "all that matters, is that he's on stage tonight." Our guy had a problem, and yes it effected some of his shows, but to call him lazy, is really a joke. He performed thousands of concerts, did 33 movies, made 3 lp's a year, was unbelievable in the studio, all in the span of twenty years. He never took one or two years off "to find himself" or to travel, (though I wish he would of) he was consistently working for the most part, his whole adult life, supporting countless of people.

I agree with your views on this, I don't think that Elvis' work rate is in question, perhaps a better way to describe the Elvis of the latter 70's is apathetic?

[Joe Car]

I agree with your views on this, I don't think that Elvis' work rate is in question, perhaps a better way to describe the Elvis of the latter 70's is apathetic?

Could be JJ, I just believe depression made him this way at times. For a singer and performer who thrived on emotion and heart and soul in his performances, ( whether it be in his music or concerts ) it can have a profound effect the other way and thus he would appear apathetic sometimes, which it looked like on the surface, but in reality, there were underlying reasons underneath.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Could be JJ, I just believe depression made him this way at times. For a singer and performer who thrived on emotion and heart and soul in his performances, ( whether it be in his music or concerts ) it can have a profound effect the other way and thus he would appear apathetic sometimes, which it looked like on the surface, but in reality, there were underlying reasons underneath.

I don't doubt that Elvis suffered in many ways, depression being one of them, his lifestyle became a factor, all the hangers on (whether they thought they were friends or not) the responsibilities he had must have been a millstone around his neck, there was a huge burden of expectation on Elvis from all quarters including the fans and those who depended on him for their livelihood.

I understand there were many pressures being Elvis Presley, I also understand that he couldn't just do what he wanted to do on a whim (well not always). In effect Elvis' daily life must have been unbearable when viewed from this angle. When you are a one man industry and you are the product it is difficult not to feel the pressure, it's no wonder Elvis suffered from insomnia.

Believe me I don't subscribe to the Elvis faked his own death theory, but man, you could understand it if he did.

[jak]

"You are 100% wrong, the Colonel was in charge, not Elvis. Elvis did not choose venues, did not do any contract negotiations, he soley relied on the Colonel for this aspect of his career. "

Do you know why the Colonel was in charge?It's because that's the way Elvis wanted it.This is where most fans have a skewed view of things.Im sorry to say that Elvis took no interest in the details of his career.What kind of input did Elvis give on the artwork for his lp's or anything else for that matter?I see no proof that he really cared about any of these things.H enever even knew what records he had out half the time.Why did RCA come to him to record at home?The man lost his creative desire.It drives me nuts to hear that the Colonel danced Elvis around like a puppet.It's pure nonsense.Elvis was the man and that's a fact.Some of you must think the Colonel had the fear of God in him or something.Elvis had a lifestyle to maintain and the Colonel kept the money coming in.I think that was Elvis' main concern over his artistic output.The Colonel was a genius from 56-60.After that I think he should have been replaced.Trouble is that Elvis didnt think so.To say he had Elvis wrapped around his finger is an insult to Elvis.Maybe Elvis was satisfied with the Colonel?Anybody ever think of that?
Jak

[KPM]

I'm sure Elvis trusted the Col. completely, he felt the Col. would not purposely steer him wrong. I'd say from 55 to 65 the Col never did purposely steer Elvis wrong. Thats a pretty good record in anything. But after 65 the Col. was not on the up and up with Elvis on everything. Elvis still trusted him based on the first 10 years. Real men trust other men at times, and real men are taken. We have the knowledge now of how the COl. was taking Elvis from a lot of sources -the 80s lawsuit the estate filed against him for one, no need to get into it but it pretty much showed he had confllicts of interest in his dealings with RCA and The Hilton. Did Elvis have any inkling of this? Probably not -he trusted the Col. Did Elvis know the Col. was actually an illegal alien in the US? Very probably not. Boxcar Enterprises -the Col got more than Elvis I've read. Maybe if he had known what we do, he would not have trusted the Col. so much. Maybe he would have got more outside advice on the side and then confronted the Col. But he trusted him. Trust makes this world go round. When driving at a corner you trust the other guy with a stop sign to stop-if God forbid he doesn't you pay. You did nothing wrong except to trust what you know is suppose to happen.
When Elvis fired the Col. in Vegas and the Col. spent 2 weeks preparing a probably padded list of what Elvis owed him, he did it for one reason-to scare Elvis into keeping him. It worked! Elvis should have got a lawyer and said "I don't know if this is all correct. He has handled everything for 20 years
and up to now I thought he was paid all he was due" Then all the things the Col. had kept close to the vest could have been brought to light. The conflicts of interest situations, the gambling losses and how they affected his negotiations for Elvis. But the Col. had the scare in and it worked.
The way I look at it in this situation Elvis's crime was he trusted the Col. Every person who has ever lived has had to trust someone sometime-sometimes that trust proves to be misplaced.
The Col. on the other hand(after 65) was doing things which appear in some instances unethical at the least, criminal at the worst.

[Miss Clawdy]

I agree with you KPM 100%.

[4THEHEART]

financial matters or bussiness side of music is not something ,artists have to get involved..in bussiness there's nothing artistic it just sucks your inspiration..why should an artist care with all those, it was other's job and they failed, I never meant he was a puppet. His thing was being the singer/artist and do what he did "music" that is.. besides, we're talkin about a short period concerning he was only 42 when everything's over..who could guess what he had in his mind,what type of changings for the future if he had a hope of living longer..expecting people around him to do their jobs properly and not interrupting them, doesn't mean that he was a puppet..he didn't have to had a marketing mind..he was Elvis not Mr Gates..

[Merry]

Hi Jess, I don’t understand why you feel you have to add me in brackets in a pejorative way in your explanation of how YOU perceive Elvis? I don’t recall questioning Elvis’ loyalty, friendship or his ability to connect with and love his fans. I merely offered a considered explanation for why Elvis did not tour Europe. Your reply feels like you are offended by certain responses in this thread and you have gone to the extent of specifically quoting Jak and myself. I have the utmost respect for people having views (many I disagree with I might add) I have however learned from previous experiences (some recently) that it is better to avoid comments I disagree with unless incited to do so. For reasons that only you can explain you go on the defensive whenever someone opens up any discussion regarding the ‘medication’ scenario. Yes these are my opinions but so are the other 28 posts? There will always be views that express some uncomfortable truths, this is unavoidable, I would ask that you extend the courtesy you have asked from me in the past and let me enjoy my freedom of speech whether or not it offends you sensibilities.

Hi JJ,

I was referring to this, and only this re "human brigade".


Now before I get shot down in flames by the "He was only human brigade" It is quite possible <snip.>


I agree, I go immediately on the defensive when it comes to Elvis, because I care. I too, make myself ignore comments which are repeating lies from others, as I don't want things to start up again. It doesn't achieve a thing, although I dearly want people to realise that nothing is black and white. I too have learnt that I can't blame those posters, as they are repeating what was written in the books or from some of those "MM" whose memory, in all fairness, would be fuzzy, because of what I was told they were doing, which was far worse; however, it stinks, I wish my words didn't fail me sometimes, and I always knew how to reply, for everyone's benefit.

I guess I have to look at the replies on here, that I don't agree with, as repeating what has been read, and as they weren't there, they don't know any better. A lot of Elvis' friends (one whom I'm blessed to be friends with, who were there for some 15 years) are with love, explaining, furthermore they obviously have more credibility than I, although I try.

Jess

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Jess, I understand that you have a different view on how Elvis was and that opinion is based on a reliable source...... However there could be ten people all sat in the same room and they all could come up with a different opinion of the same event! I guess we all should agree to disagree and let people express their opinions rightly or wrongly. It is only when bare faced lies are being peddled or baseless garbage that we should seek to put right the wrongs. Not those who say things you don't like to hear but are based on structured arguments.

[Merry]

I'm sure Elvis trusted the Col. completely, he felt the Col. would not purposely steer him wrong. I'd say from 55 to 65 the Col never did purposely steer Elvis wrong. Thats a pretty good record in anything. But after 65 the Col. was not on the up and up with Elvis on everything. Elvis still trusted him based on the first 10 years. Real men trust other men at times, and real men are taken.


My first job was working as a secretary for a building firm. They had around 50 employees. You know what the Contract was when the men trusted each other? (Which was the case, or they wouldn't have got the job). It was a handshake. That was enough, a man's word, was a man's word. It was a completely different world back then, pity it isn't the same now.

Thank you for saying this KPM, again putting the situation into prospective.

Jess

[Joe Car]

"You are 100% wrong, the Colonel was in charge, not Elvis. Elvis did not choose venues, did not do any contract negotiations, he soley relied on the Colonel for this aspect of his career. "

Do you know why the Colonel was in charge?It's because that's the way Elvis wanted it.This is where most fans have a skewed view of things.Im sorry to say that Elvis took no interest in the details of his career.What kind of input did Elvis give on the artwork for his lp's or anything else for that matter?I see no proof that he really cared about any of these things.H enever even knew what records he had out half the time.Why did RCA come to him to record at home?The man lost his creative desire.It drives me nuts to hear that the Colonel danced Elvis around like a puppet.It's pure nonsense.Elvis was the man and that's a fact.Some of you must think the Colonel had the fear of God in him or something.Elvis had a lifestyle to maintain and the Colonel kept the money coming in.I think that was Elvis' main concern over his artistic output.The Colonel was a genius from 56-60.After that I think he should have been replaced.Trouble is that Elvis didnt think so.To say he had Elvis wrapped around his finger is an insult to Elvis.Maybe Elvis was satisfied with the Colonel?Anybody ever think of that?
Jak

Elvis trusted the Colonel, which was okay, until the Colonel became a degenerate gambler, which most likely started in 1969, progressively getting worse, until he started defrauding Elvis, taking deals that years earlier, he would have laughed at. Vegas knew how to handle a sucker like the Colonel, the Colonel didn't know how to handle Vegas! As far as the man "losing his creative desire," when you're depressed, that happens. Taking a shower is too much trouble, let alone the tedious task of recording music.

[jak]

If Im not mistaken there was a link to an interview posted here with Myrna Smith a while back.She had kind words for the Colonel I think.She made the comment that Elvis knew every move the Colonel made and he approved of it.Take that for what it's worth.She was certainly closer to the situation than we were.I just dont know about Elvis having depression.I recall Dr NIck once expressing the belief Elvis suffered from it.I just dont know that it's a fact.I lean more towards the side effects of the drugs causing his mood swings and other problems.I dont know if that's clinical depression or not.In any event I have always found Elvis' hands off approach to his career disturbing.Im not referring to the business side either.Im sure he did trust the Colonel on that end.
Jak

[Joe Car]

If Im not mistaken there was a link to an interview posted here with Myrna Smith a while back.She had kind words for the Colonel I think.She made the comment that Elvis knew every move the Colonel made and he approved of it.Take that for what it's worth.She was certainly closer to the situation than we were.I just dont know about Elvis having depression.I recall Dr NIck once expressing the belief Elvis suffered from it.I just dont know that it's a fact.I lean more towards the side effects of the drugs causing his mood swings and other problems.I dont know if that's clinical depression or not.In any event I have always found Elvis' hands off approach to his career disturbing.Im not referring to the business side either.Im sure he did trust the Colonel on that end.
Jak

Jak, you make a couple of good points this post, especially about finding Elvis' "hands off approach to his career, disturbing."

[KPM]

Back in the 50s when Elvis had the world by the tail and more money than he could ever dream of having he made the statement "Sometimes I feel alone in a crowd" This was early on before he had begun his heavy reliance on medications. It tells me something was not quite always right for him.
Feeling alone is a sign of depression. Another is insomnia. His family history is filled with addictive personalities. I recall a story about a cousin who had visited Elvis once but wasn't saying much, Elvis asked him what was wrong and the cousin replied " I got my nerves down in the dirt"
Elvis gave him some money and told him to relax and not worry so much. (Elvis thought that odd phrase "nerves down in the dirt" was hysterical.)
I think with his mother having depression problems and his family of addictive personalities -its possible he may have had clinical depression problems. But I'm no shrink.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

There is definitely a case to say that when you are a star there is so much free time on your hands, I suppose that's why Elvis had the guys around him so much. I know from experience that when I am on holiday on my own (wife gets less holidays per year from her company!) I get bored and on the edge of depression, i just hate being on my own, there is only so much work around the house you can do and with the weather so unpredictable (usually raining in the UK) it's hard to do jobs outside.

I suppose for Elvis there was other things to occupy his mind in the 70's but other than being on tour and that became a chore in its self what is a guy to do? The films in the 60's may have been a chore but Elvis would have been on set most days and had the guys around to keep him occupied. How do you keep an active mind from going crazy?

[Diane]

I know just what you're saying JJ and I agree that in Elvis' case what with the added pressures of his life, more than the normal man has, it must have been hard for him to deal with. Hence the shot up TVs etc. Kind of over the top and certainly dangerous but I believe it was one of his ways of letting off steam. I don't recommend it for the rest of us who suffer from occasional depression as we'd go broke in no time.:lol:

I'm not convinced he had "clinical depression" but I do believe he suffered from some type of depression off and on all his life. The shutting himself up in his room is a classic symptom.

Diane

[Miss Clawdy]

Yesterday I watched the movie 'Elvis' starring JRM. I was surprised how the Colonel came off badly, and I think it hit the nail right on the head. It really hurts to see how he managed to cheat Elvis out of his future in such a deceitful manner:'((n)

[SweetCaroline]

I agree to a point. If Elvis had doubts about Europe his first 3 engagements at the International had to put them to rest. He was sold out months in advance and had reservations from virtually every civilized country. There were on many nights as many overseas fans in the audience as Americans. I agree after 1973 he was in his comfort zone, but in 70 and 71 he was ready for the changes which were happening in his career. In his few interviews in the early 70s when he is asked if he will tour overseas he says yes or we're working on it. The Col. was in charge of guiding Elvis's career- that was his job. The way the Col worked was he would negotiate the deals he initiated for Elvis and he would report the outside offers and recommend why or why not they should be accepted. The Col. never initiated any offers outside the US that I have read about or that has been reported. (That includes his managing Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow in the 40s) It is correct Elvis could have said "Set it up!" But he did trust and respect the Col. and he was hired to recommend deals and career moves. The Col had been saying for years the time is not right. There were many deals over the years that the Col. recommended and Elvis accepted. Some were good, some not so good. The long term deal with the International in Vegas is another I have read was not as good as it should have been. He did not get Elvis top royalty rates in the late 60s and 70s from RCA when compared to the Beatles, Stones, etc-even thought he was the number 2 record seller for the 60s and number one in the 50s. If the Col had said "The time is right for Europe lets go" IMO Elvis would have said "Set it Up"

IMO the Col. was negligent for not getting Elvis there in the early 70s. Elvis was ripe to go-but the COl was not ever interested in going to Europe and had never shown any real interest for any artist he ever managed to do so.

The reason I mentioned the 73 catalogue sale is because Elvis, due to his life style,and the Col (because of gambling) were looking for cash. The satellite show and the catalogue sale were in the same year. Compare the money Elvis could have made if he had gone overseas to the money he got for the Satellite show and . I mean you go from 100s of thousands dollars to tens of millions If the Col. had this magical nose for making money it sure failed him this year. The foolish sale of the catalogue would not have been needed. If Elvis had toured for a summer in Europe it could have been near a 100 million tour. But the Col had been getting outrageous offers for years for a European tour and he had to know the money that they could make.
So you have to ask yourself if he knew the potential for millions why did he not recommend it as "too good to turn down"? Lets be logical because he was afraid to leave the country. He was probably happy in the mid 70s when Elvis had lost the desire for such a challenge.
IMO The Col was a great carny and until 65 I think he was a good manager- after that he made big mistakes and in this case he did not do what was best for Elvis's career-he should have pushed for the tour overseas( if you are correct that Elvis did not want it) I mean If Elvis had wanted to run his own career he would have never hired Parker to start with.
I think any other person (with a modem of business sense) in early 1970 would have begun to set up a European tour -England, Germany, Japan, Norway Sweden, etc -Elvis was back on top, great reviews of his live shows, he had gained respect from younger sudiences, and his records were selling again. IMO There is only one reason he did not go-The COl. did not want to leave the US because of his past.
We'll probably have to agree to disagree on this.:)


Thank you for this post. :notworthy.

[Trev1]

Parker was a selfish person who ultimately put his own needs first and USED Elvis for all he was worth :angry: