Tom Parker

[acmilan]

A question I've never understood. How did Tom Parker get away with the ID fraud for so long especially being a well known figure. Surely someone must of done some kind of checks on him? How come they found out years after Elvis death and not before?

[carolynlm]

We can only speculate on why parker was allowed to get away with as much as he did, but if I was to guess, I would wonder if it didn't have a lot to do with the fact that he was probably paying an enormous amount of taxes, as much as Elvis was paying, so maybe the 'powers that be' at the time let him stay. Please bear in mind that this is ONLY A THEORY, and I may well be totally off base.

[Albert]

I've read somewhere that when Parker came in the US, he joined the army for some time and therefor received the US citizonship. I even believe that somebody like Joe Esposito told this once?

[68 Comeback Special]

If you had read this book, you would have your answer.

I just translated her book in French. Parker had friends amongst governors and presidents. He was the biggest con man of all. He terrorized people around him.
Few could confront him. Elvis could not. His parents told him always to respect people in autority.

How sad?

[JDD]

If you had read this book, you would have your answer.

I just translated her book in French. Parker had friends amongst governors and presidents. He was the biggest con man of all. He terrorized people around him.
Few could confront him. Elvis could not. His parents told him always to respect people in autority.

How sad?




At least once Elvis told the Colonel to go take a flying leap and The Colonel bluffed him into thinking that if he was gone Elvis was going to owe him big money and from what some of the guys have said its at that Point Vernon would pester Elvis into backing down . So it was always a tag team working on Elvis where the Colonel was concerned.

As for the rest I heard the same thing you did, not to mention he was good pals, business pals anyway with Baron Hilton who had a lot of friends in high places. He never pushed his luck and took Elvis out of the country though beyond Canada , because of it. I don't dig the Colonel very much IMO as much as he did for Elvis in the begining and he did do a lot, He did at least that much bad by pressuring him to stay away from certian songs, and Not to so Movies that would have been great for Elvis to do. Nobody is all bad But I think Elvis should have called the Colonels bluff and went to another agency who would have fallen all over itself freeing Elvis from the Colonel for the chance to work with the king.

[68 Comeback Special]

You have a good knowledge of Parker's dealings with Vernon. Reading the book will shed light on the man and also everyone else around him.

Some people still debate the fact that Elvis would not have achieved greatness without Parker. When I look at Elvis 68 Comeback Special, I have my answer. If Parker had died earlier, Elvis would be still alive and would have had a greater career, if it is possible to say that to the greatest of the greatests stars...

[franny]

I've read somewhere that when Parker came in the US, he joined the army for some time and therefor received the US citizonship. I even believe that somebody like Joe Esposito told this once?

here's some more info that mentions what you're saying Albert...

franny


He was actually born in Breda, Netherlands. Parker fled his native land at about the age of 18, joined the United States Army, then changed his name to Tom Parker and become part of the circus world sometime after leaving the Army. He also worked as a dogcatcher and a pet cemetery proprietor in Tampa, Florida in the 1940s.

Elvis fans have speculated that the reason he never performed abroad, which would likely have been a highly lucrative proposition, may have been that Parker was worried that as a non-citizen, he would not be readmitted to the United States. However, this argument neglects the fact that Presley toured Canada in 1957 with concerts in Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver. It also neglects that as a U.S. Army veteran, Tom Parker would have been entitled to United States citizenship, although whether or not he claimed it is unknown.

[JDD]

here's some more info that mentions what you're saying Albert...

franny


Until recently (I hear the law's changing) Americans didn't need a passport to go into Canada. You just had to have valid ID with a photo, and check in, and declaire your intentions at the border . So Parker could have set up Canada without much hassle .

I can't let a post about the Colonel go without mentioning again I don't like him! :D

[franny]

Until recently (I hear the law's changing) Americans didn't need a passport to go into Canada. You just had to have valid ID with a photo, and check in, and declaire your intentions at the border . So Parker could have set up Canada without much hassle .

I can't let a post about the Colonel go without mentioning again I don't like him! :D


There's talk that Americans will need a passport to come to Canada starting around 2008...So. the Colonel did come to Canada without problems...I don't like him either...He came across as sneaky and very greedy! Although, some of the MM say he was very nice and misjudged...I find that hard to believe!

franny

[68 Comeback Special]

While on other forums, I met fans that hate the man.
The book will not change your opinion on Parker, but you will know why you hate him so much. After, some of you might understand, not ACCEPT, the man.

When I translated the book, I knew nothing about the man and I knew few things about the life of Elvis. When Elvis started his singing career in 1954, I was playing with my Matchbox cars.

Parker came to Canada but avoided beeing photographed.
He came to the U.S. around 1927, got back to Holland and then disappeared in 1929. This disappearance, according to Nash, MIGHT BE related to a crime.

He never came a U.S. citizen. The book sets the record straight.

This book is so fascinating.

[Albert]

There are multiple stories about his illegal status in the US. But there's also a story that say that when someone served the US army he received the US citizenship.

But still, I think it's a weird mystery. Was he or was he not in the possesion of a US passport? Is there any proof (copy of ID, or whatever) that he was?

[68 Comeback Special]

To my knowledge, and what Alanna Nash found out about Parker and wrote in her book, the answer is no. There is a chapter, chapter 20, LIVING TOO LONG:
LITIGATION AND LONELINESS where they talk about.

Read the book my friend. You will know everything about the man and how he conned everyone, even himself.

[Donut]

I have always wondered why if Col. Parker was so big in the business and had all those connections couldn?t stop or make something about the Red?s book ... :hmm: Could it be he got a part of the cake too ? Seeing the little he cared about "his boy" ?s feelings and creativity it may well have been that way.

[elvislady]

While on other forums, I met fans that hate the man.
The book will not change your opinion on Parker, but you will know why you hate him so much. After, some of you might understand, not ACCEPT, the man.

When I translated the book, I knew nothing about the man and I knew few things about the life of Elvis. When Elvis started his singing career in 1954, I was playing with my Matchbox cars.

Parker came to Canada but avoided beeing photographed.
He came to the U.S. around 1927, got back to Holland and then disappeared in 1929. This disappearance, according to Nash, MIGHT BE related to a crime.

He never came a U.S. citizen. The book sets the record straight.

This book is so fascinating.
i agree i couldnt put this book down when i started reading it only when yoiu read it do you get the full story. elvislady

[Diane]

It was easy for the colonel to get into the army because at the time they needed bodies. They probably did the same background check that they do today but he had his fake ID and most likely had money and his friends in high places so he passed and later nothing was done when he didn't get his citizenship.

It was no problem for him to cross the border into Canada as like JDD said, all you needed was a photo ID. At some of the smaller border patrols you didn't even need that. All you were asked was where were you from, where are you going and how long do you plan on staying.

I kind of agree that the colonel was good for Elvis' career in the beginning. It may have taken longer for him to reach the top with someone else but in later years the colonel got greedy and just wanted the quick money versus quality and of course that wasn't fair to his client who aspired to much greater pursuits and that's why I don't like him. That and the selfishness of not letting Elvis tour the world and the ridiculously high percentage he took from Elvis' earnings for his cut.

[orwell1976]

Believe me, if Parker would have wanted to be an US citizen he could have been one. No country in the world would refuse to accept the manager of Elvis Presley to be a citizen (and tax payer) of theirs.

[Suspicious Minds]

I never liked Tom Parker because he would not let Elvis work in Europe. Parker never had a US passport. He could go out of the USA but could not come back in.
We could have seen Elvis in Europe and the UK in the early 70's if it wasn't for the Colonel. Elvis should have changed managers in the middle 60's.

[JerryNodak]

The "Colonel" got away with it because:

He kept his nose clean in the U.S.
He had friends in high places
He payed his taxes AND made sure Elvis paid his.


The "Colonel" is dead. Long live the "Colonel".

[Redroo]

A question I've never understood. How did Tom Parker get away with the ID fraud for so long especially being a well known figure. Surely someone must of done some kind of checks on him? How come they found out years after Elvis death and not before?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In 'Careless Love' Peter says that Parker had his brother over to the States from Holand and put him up in his office with posters of E everywhere...he ran the scame all his life and that was just another scame that he ran, take a look at the photo of E and Parker on the set of 'Follow that dream' where E has a tommy gun on the cigar muchers belly, he was a complete scamer

[0349054]

After entering America illegally, Parker joined the Army. He deserted his unit, had an emotional breakdown and was eventually discharged because of ''psycholis, psychogenic depression, acute, on basis of constitutional psychopathic state, emotional instability.''

The discharge papers have never been discovered.

Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk disappeared from Holland on the day Anna van den Enden was murdered. Make of that what you will. His sister tried to contact him on his death bed, after securing his number from a well known Memphis Journalist, she rang Andreas, Loanne his then secretary and future wife answered, relayed the story to the Colonel who was "too busy" to talk with his dying sister.

Parker orchestrated a close friendship with President Lyndon Johnson which may or may not have helped keep his true identity concealed.

As he said himself;

"I was born in the Netherlands on June 26, 1909 of parents who were lawfully married and Dutch subjects. After I left the Netherlands and immigrated to the United States, I enlisted in the US Army in or about 1929 in which I served until I was discharged in '33 or '34. In connection with my enlistment, I was required to and did willingly swear allegiance to the government of the United States of America. I did not seek or obtain the permission of the Dutch government to serve in the US Army either prior to or after my service. I am now informed my failure to seek and receive such permission affected an automatic forfeiture of my Dutch citizenship. I am not a citizen of the United States having never become a naturalized citizen of this country or any other country."

[graceland123]

i wish elvis had known about him being a immigrant

[JerryNodak]

1. How do you know Elvis didn't know? and,
2. Assuming he didn't know, what difference would it have made if he
had?

[0349054]

Well when he saked him in 74' he woulden't of hired him back!

[JerryNodak]

Because he was an immigrant??

BTW: For all you posters who hate "Colonel" Parker; Hate is a strong word/emotion. Don't waste it on the "Colonel". He's not worth it. Do something costructive with it. "Hate" some worthless piece of crap like
Bin Laden and his henchmen.

[0349054]

No, because he was an illegal alien and they woulden't of been too slow to figure why Parker kept blocking International tours.

Besides, he was lying to them for years, I know i'd be mad if that happened to me.

[JerryNodak]

None of this would have made any difference to Elvis. From his point of view he owed his career to the "Colonel". If Elvis was anything, he was loyal. He valued loyalty. Although he "fired" the "Colonel", he never would have REALLY fired him.

Authorities in the U.S. had plenty of opportunities to investigate Parker's background and make life miserable for him had they wished, but they had no reason to do so.

For someone in Parker's position it wouldn't have been much of a problem to obtain the proper documents (passport, etc.) if he had wished to leave the country.

The "Colonel" is dead. Long live the "Colonel".

[0349054]

Your entitled to your opinion, but for me that man was one of the biggest obstacles in the progression of Elvis's career after the army.

Parker used his dutch heritage to avoid a lawsuit in 83' as he was not an American citizen. The US authorities had no reason to investigate him, and i'm pretty sure seeing as Elvis had a new manager picked out at his time of death that had he known about the Colonel he would have sacked him right away without the penalties Parker was trying to enforce upon him.

This guy was a crook. He took over 50% of everything Elvis did, that's if you take into consideration his side deals with RCA and the Hilton. His publishing deals with Hill & Range.

The Colonel was good for Elvis in the 50's, after that Elvis exceeded him. Colonel stuck his nose into recording sessions and except for Steve Binder the 68' Comeback would of been a Xmas Song disaster.

I can't speak for Elvis, no one can.

However, judging by what people arund have said regarding his feelings for Parker..........Parker was going to be fired.

At the end of the day, Elvis did it once and it was only after the slimeball came back with bills in excess of millions of dollars he claimed Elvis owed him did Elvis keep him on, it speaks for itself.

After Vernon's death, the principals of the Presley estate wererequired to go into probate court for the appointment of the new executorsand approval of various administrative items. Vernon's chosen successors,Joseph Hanks from the National Bank of Commerce, and Priscilla Presley received quick approval from Probate Judge Joseph Evans. However, one item
caught his eye. The new executors intended to extend Colonel Parker's management contract.

When Judge Evans learned the details of the estate's agreement withColonel Parker, he was flabbergasted. What surprised and concerned him themost was that the contract gave the Colonel 50 percent of the estate'sincome. The judge was amazed that anyone would pay such a huge commission for the management of a living entertainer, let alone a dead one. He began to wonder if Lisa Marie's inheritance was really in the hands of people who
were looking out for her best interests.


To everyone's surprise, Judge Evans withheld his approval of the contract. He first wanted a full investigation of the Colonel's financial dealings, and to conduct it, he appointed a Memphis attorney, Blanchard Tual.


One of Tuals first tasks in November of 1980 was to oversee the filming of "This Is Elvis," a movie being produced by Warner Brothers. Colonel Tom Parker had sold Warner the rights for $750,000. Tual was on the set to assure himself that the movie was in the best interest of Lisa Marie.


Tual conducted a crash course in the background of Colonel Parker. He interviewed the Presley estates' attorneys, Priscilla, The Colonel, various music publishing and entertainment attorneys, and several RCA executives. He was authorized by the judge to secure all tax information from August 16th '77, on concerning Colonel Tom Parker and Boxcar Enterprises. Parker agreed to turn over his and Boxcar's tax returns for 1977 through 1979 under the
condition that their contents be kept confidential. Tual agreed to these terms to avoid a lengthy court battle.

One of Tuals first conclusions was that Parker's 50 % was indefensible.

He also discovered that the contract raising Colonel Parker's share to 50 % dated January 2, 1967, contained no consideration for the increase. That is,the Colonel wasn't going to perform anything extra to warrant the higher commission. Therefore, the agreement could be voided for lack of consideration.

In Tual's opinion, Colonel Parker handled the later part of Elvis' career in an utterly self-serving manner. As evidence, he submitted a report on various side deals that the Colonel had made over the years with people he was supposed to be negotiating with on Elvis' behalf. He cited several clear cases of conflicts of interest.

As Elvis' agent, William Morris was entitled to 10 percent of his earnings. However, there is considerable doubt over whether Elvis ever signed a contract with the agency. Parker probably made a handshake deal with Lastfogel on Elvis' behalf.

The agency provided the Colonel with a rent free office, purchased a home he wanted in Palm Springs which it then rented to him under very favorable terms, and it even provided employees of the agency who worked for Parker at no charge.

The thing that most amazed Tual about Elvis and the Colonel's relationship was how little money Elvis ended up with despite the unprecedented career success.