Anyway, if you get a chance to read a bio on Parker, he had a very colorful life, even before he hooked up with Presley.
The “Colonel” was an illegal Dutch immigrant. Which is the reason the Colonel never left the US when Elvis was serving in the Army in Germany. It is also the reason Elvis never toured Europe: the Colonel could not risk leaving the US because he would have had to obtain a passport. He also made sure Elvis paid more than his fair share of taxes (no legal loopholes or dodges) in case of the IRS snooping around.
It’s a fascinating story that has only come to light after Elvis died.
Thanks. I am familiar with some of the Colonels background, including the honorary title which I thought was self-annoited, like Col. Sanders of KFC. I also know he was a colorful character, sort of like Don King, and I will follow your recommendation and learn more.
My original interest was aroused when I learned that Elvis never saved or invested his money, preferring the play-as-you-make-it plan. I had expected a “manager” to have some influence over that. Instead, it seems that when Elvis was broke the Col just booked another tour, etc. I also read that when he died there was no estate to speak of other than royalty rights. That makes me curious as to what the Col did with his part.
I think the Col underestimated Elvis and thought the gravy train could stop at any time. Elvis was a good actor but the Col booked all those B grade musicals while he was in the Army just to keep the gravy flowing.
Oh well, like Michael Jackson, it is all over now. Maybe Pricilla and Lisa Marie will make something off these remixes, not that they are icons of virtue themselves.