He didn't, and nor did Elvis. Every cent from the tickets and merchandising went to the Kui Lee fund.
Remember, Parker and Elvis made their money from the sales of the album, and the TV rights for the worldwide telecast. So, they probably made more money than a normal show anyway. So, it's a win-win for all concerned.
Of course they did! The tickets weren't sold on the day ... they were available by mail order only from December 13, 1972, and were mailed out to the recipients just after Christmas. Tickets were mailed out on a first-come, first-served basis. So, they would have known weeks in advance what total they had made.
Additionally, tickets to the rehearsal show were sold after the January 14 show's tickets were sold out.
(Reference: The Honolulu Advertiser, December 13, 1972).
Getlo - cute'n'cuddly
Not trying to pick, but for fans who love trivia and chart stats, the "Aloha From Hawaii" double album didn't reach #1 the week it was released.
It reached #1 in Billboard, (Top Lp's And Tape) on May 5, 1973, 11 weeks after it had been released.
The week before "Aloha" became #1, it was sitting at #2 in it's 10th charted week.
Good to know.
They way Elvis spoke of this probably added to the confusion; on the rehearsal show he mentioned the goal and said "and tonight, we had $75,000 for 'em," seeming to indicate it had just been raised on that day for that show.
Of course, Elvis also called it the Kui Lee Cancer Drive in the broadcast, which always made me cringe because it sounded like they were trying to raise some cancer.He was so much more composed and connected during the rehearsal show...not to say that isn't understandable.
...you won't forget me when I go.