Rare Elvis Presley interview from 1964

1964 (June 10) interview of Elvis Presley

 

THE BEATLES - `They don't bother me ... I wish them luck'

HIS CAREER - `I haven't been hiding. There's no attempt to keep me out of the public eye'

GIRLS - `I'll admit something. I'm as red-blooded as the next guy'

 

According to Ann-Margret you were or are engaged to her. This is not true either?

Elvis: 'The papers quoted her as saying it, but later she told me how it happened. They asked if it were true she was in love with me. Well, she was in love with me and she didn't want to lie about it. So she told them. And that's how it happened.'

 

 

You could mistake it for any small American town the morning after the night the circus arrived. Carnival booths, shooting galleries and popcorn stands face each other across a dusty road littered with empty paper bags. It looks seedy enough to be the real thing until you gaze down the road where bored property men are adding another house to the film set's mock town.

 

 

But there is no mistaking the young man slumped in a canvas chair, halfway down the road, staring aimlessly ahead.

 

 He is wearing blue jeans, blue shirt, short blue jacket and black boots.

 His face is made up in a light even tan and his hair has been dyed jet black.

 The make-up people have done a good job on him, though they have done nothing about the rosebud mouth, strangely small and almost feminine.

 Pop idols have come and gone over the past eight years but that mouth still has a hypnotic magic for millions of girls around the world.

 

So has the name Elvis Presley.

 

 

He sits there bored, resigned to the film-making waiting game, while pretty starlets swivel by.

 They are just about to shoot Roustabout, Presley's 16th film, for producer Hal Wallis who discovered him for the screen.

 

 

At that time, Hollywood dismissed Presley as a fluke. But the fluke minted enough money - a reputed £5,000,000 - to make them eat their words with their cocktail olives.

 

"Never", producer Hal Wallis (right) insisted, "Not for one moment, have I thought of Elvis as a freak. I am reminded of this when I am asked why it is I have not gone after the Beatles the way I went after Elvis.

 

"My answer is that I have no use for them. I doubt that they can last more than a couple of pictures.

 I don't want to be unkind and call them a flash-in-the-pan, but they are no match for Elvis, the unknown Elvis of 1956.

 

Not that I haven't had a good look at them. I have. And I found them wanting. They have no sound, no rhythm. I wouldn't touch them. It's as simple as that."

 

 

After talking to the star-maker, I moved over to the star. What did he think of the Beatles who deposed him from the Top Ten and the jukeboxes? There were many questions to put to him. Why for instance, had he never visited Britain, where a personal appearance might win back fans from the new boys?

 

We talked...

 I said: You haven't appeared in a live show at all in the past few years. Why are you hiding from the world?

 

 

Presley replied: "I haven't been hiding, there is no deliberate attempt to keep me out of the public eye.

I know people have said the Colonel (Colonel Tom Parker, the mastermind behind Presley's career) has some sort of strategy about my exposure to the public. It isn't that at all.

 

But we do have a program which calls for three pictures in a year and that is a lot of pictures. It doesn't leave one with much time in between.

 

 Q: You rest up? Even if you realize that your insistence on staying out of the public eye may cost you some of your popularity? 　

 　

Elvis: I wouldn't say that. But the Colonel says I cannot go to one country without offending people in another country, and I guess he is right. Somebody will always be unhappy.

 

 But it's different with movies. They go everywhere. Yet, don't think I wouldn't love to go to England, for instance, and make a couple of appearances there.

 

 I've been thinking of that for some time, and I'm as close to going as I was a couple of years ago.

 

 

Q: You make it all sound so difficult, but is it really? I’m sure the people in Germany, for instance, wouldn’t mind if this year you visit England only.

 

 Elvis: This is not the way the Colonel sees it. And I trust the Colonel.

 

Q: In the meantime, the Beatles have taken over. People have said that, in a sense, you, or the absence of you, are responsible for their emergence and their fabulous success.

 

 Elvis: As for the Beatles, all I can say is so much more power to them. They’ve appeared on three Ed Sullivan shows in this country and I watched the all.

 

Q: What did you think of them?

 

Elvis: You can’t ask me to tell you what I really feel about them. I don’t think I should. I don’t think it would be fair to fellow entertainers.

Remember, I am a lucky guy myself. I’ve never forgotten that. It’s too vivid in my memory. I’ll say that the Beatles have got what it takes, and in great abundance that they have been given a heck of a vote of confidence. I’m sorry, but I have to be diplomatic.

 

 

Q: You don’t sound envious, but as you watch the teenage audiences scream, it must have brought back memories… Wasn’t it more or less the same to you?

 

 Elvis: More or less. But let me add, I sure wish them luck.

 

Q: A lot of what you say implies that money is of no importance to you?

 

Elvis: I’m not implying anything. I am most grateful for my good fortune. But I am a man of simple tastes. I don’t need the money for myself. For a while, I was like a kid with a new toy, but it was never my goal and never will be.

 

 Money can never buy everything your heart desires. It won't buy love, or health or true happiness. And even sometimes when you give it away, you don't get the thanks you're entitled to.

 

 

Presley, the ex-truck driver from Mississippi, is now the master of a mansion outside Memphis, Tennessee, which he calls home, and a villa outside Hollywood he regards as his working quarters.

 Once a film is finished, he drives 2,000 miles back to Memphis with the private army he calls "my guys" (cousin Billy Smith, aide Joe Esposito, transport boss Allan Fortas, pals Jim Kingsley and Richard Davis)

 

 Elvis is at the wheel every inch of the way, "These are the happiest days of my life," he said.

 

This seemed an apt moment to ask about the other side of his life which has been kept so secret.

 I said I hoped he would be as outspoken as he had earlier, Presley said he didn't as a rule discuss his private life.

 

 I told him; "I see you as a red-blooded young man with normal instincts. I refuse to accept the theory that you spend your time with your guys or timidly taking girls out on dates that end with a shy kiss on the doorstep."

 

Presley replied, "I'll admit something to you. But without going into details. Let me say that I've led quite a fast life, really, and that I'm as red-blooded as the next guy.

 

 The difference between me and the other guy is that I hate to publicize it. I've been in love, but it's not true that I am secretly married or that I am secretly engaged, I have no permanent attachments and you can take my word for it."

 

 

 

There have been many rumors that Presley was engaged to Priscilla Beaulieu, the pretty 19-year-old daughter of an American Air Force captain he met while in the Army in Germany.

 Last year, Priscilla took up an offer from Presley's father to live with the family at Memphis because her father was still in Germany. Presley's public promptly assumed she was engaged to Elvis.

 

Elvis: I know what people are saying. I knew that people would say it even before Priscilla came to stay with us. I had to make a decision and I made it. All I can say is that Priscilla is a great girl and I like her very much.

 You never know what the future holds. All I can say is to repeat that I am not secretly married or secretly engaged.

 

 

 

Q: According to Ann-Margret (his co-star in Viva Las Vegas) you were or are engaged to her. This is not true either?

 

Elvis: The papers quoted her as saying it, but later she told me how it happened. They asked if it were true she was in love with me. Well, she was in love with me and she didn't want to lie about it. So she told them. And that's how it happened.

 

 Q: And she told you all this?

 

Elvis: Yes. Because she felt she owed me an explanation. She is an honest girl, a good girl and she told the truth. I have great respect for her.　

 

 

Q: Would that mean that all is over between you two?

 

Elvis: I haven't seen her in a while, but that is because she has been working in a movie. But that's all. I like her very much. I guess I have now told you more about my private life than I've told anybody. You can't expect more than that.

 The main point I want to make is that I am not ready for marriage. I mean it sincerely and I feel very strongly about it.

 Of course, people don't believe this is so and think I am playing games, but it is a deep conviction with me.

 There are a great many, things want to do and I have to do them all first, and it may take a long time.

 

 Meanwhile, I intend to stay the way I am and lead the life the way I lead it now.

 

 I like my present ways and there is no reason in the world to change anything.

 

 

 

I believe I have matured since I first came to Hollywood. You see it reflected in my pictures. The dialogue is more mature because I am ready for it.

 

You asked me how far is the Colonel "the boss"?

 I have left it to the Colonel to guide my career and I trust him because he knows his business like nobody else. But I draw my own conclusions and make my own decisions.

　

Which includes anything from picking the songs for my new film, to cutting a new record, to falling in love....

　

Q: It still leaves the Colonel with a heavy load of responsibilities doesn't it!

 

Elvis: You bet it does...

 

Presley smiled as he said that. Across the Paramount studios, in an office, cluttered with Presley posters and records, the legend behind the legend is talking on the telephone to a film magnate.

 

Colonel (a title he claims was conferred on him by several State governors) Tom Parker's voice is as sweet as honey.

 "If you don't want us." purrs the Colonel. "You wouldn't call us. You know what's good for the public and so do we, so we are in full agreement, aren't we?"

 

 "Nobody has yet lost any money on a Presley picture and you're much too good a man to be the first . . . Now 1965 and 1966 are filled but if you want a word of advice, take spot No.1 in 1967 for 750,000 dollars (nearly £270,000) and I tell you, sir, you will never regret it."

 

 Nothing can bother Elvis Presley while Colonel is taking care of things in the background. Tough-talking producers, hard-dealing impresarios, the Colonel looks after that side of the business.

 Girls, Presley can handle.  

 

And as for the new pop liners who are challenging him. . Well, Presley has 51 Gold Discs to show he was king for eight years and could well be again.

 

"The Beatles?" asks Presley "Do they bother me?" Of course not. They are entertainers like myself and I guess they are as dedicated as the rest of us. In the long run, this is all that matters."

 

 Mr. Elvis Presley is of course, entitled to his own opinions.

 

2013 by Jeff Schrembs ALL RIGHTS RESERVED　

 

Some facts about Colonel Parker and his relationship with Elvis Presley

NOTE - this article has an unknown author

 

Elvis thought he owed it all to Colonel Tom Parker. Others aren't so sure.

Andreas 'Dries' Cornelis Van Kuijk was born on 26 June 1909 in Breda, Holland. He was the fifth of nine children. His father, Adam, was a liveryman who met his mother, Maria, while he was in the army. When Andreas was 16 years old, his father died, and he moved to Rotterdam. He worked as a bargeman but was entranced by the ocean-going ships in the port. It wasn't too long before he was on board a ship to New Jersey. It was thought he stowed himself away.

He was then enlisted with the US Army - they didn’t really care about papers back then - and was stationed in Hawaii. When he finally wrote home, it was in English and it was signed ' Thomas Parker'. The name was given to him by the Captain who interviewed him at the time of his enlistment.

Years later Elvis's friend Lamar Fike asked parker ' how come you never told us you were a Dutchman?' Parker looked at him and said ' Son, you never asked me'.

Parker spent several years with a touring carnival called The Johnny J. James Exposition. His special act was dancing chickens, which he achieved by hiding a hot plate under the straw of the cage! After marrying Marie Mott in 1935, Parker left the carnival to work for the Tampa Humane Society (I bet he never told them about the dancing chickens!) he then moved to Nashville and became the manager to country singer Eddie Arnold.

Parker was given an honorary commission, from an old friend called Jimmy Davis. He became Louisiana Governor and then Parker was known as the Colonel from that day onwards. Funnily enough, in March 1961, Governor Buford Ellington of Tennessee made Elvis an honorary Colonel. Elvis didn’t deem it necessary to use his title.

In 1953, Eddie Arnold fired Parker for unknown reasons. Parker then hooked up with Hank Snow and created Jamboree Attractions, which became the biggest booking agencies in the South. Yet that partnership broke up bitterly when Parker, without Snow, signed a new young talent. His name was Elvis Presley.

Parker first met Elvis in February 1955, in a Memphis Coffee Shop. Parker’s first words to Elvis were ' you got a manager, son?’ He signed Elvis onto the Jamboree Attractions and was ready to pounce on him. Elvis was still under-age in 1955, so Parker knew the contract had to be signed by his parents. Vernon was a push over but Gladys didn’t trust Parker. So to get her into his good books, backstage at one of her son's shows, she met a close friend of Parker's who told her ' Parker is a good Christian gentleman'.

Then Elvis's parents signed the contract on 15 August 1955.

Soon Parker set up a deal with RCA Records Company and Hill and Range, his own music publishers. Steve Scholes, RCA's Director of Country music, put his neck on the line by offering $23,000. Hill and Range offered a further $15,000. So with $40,000 offer in place, Parker paid Sam Phillips an agreed $35, 00 and give Elvis $5,000. Elvis signed with RCA on November 21 1955. The next day he sent a telegram to Parker in which he promised to stick with him through thick and thin, and he also loved him like a father.

On January 8, 1956, Elvis turned 21 years old and was given a new contract - To sign as an adult. It ratified all previous contracts and gave the Colonel 25% of all Elvis's earnings. Once Parker became his full time manager, he never wanted anyone else. He told the press ' I'll live and breathe Elvis 24 hours a day'.

Parker showed his nerve when he demanded $100,000 for Elvis to star in Love Me Tender. When the Producer said even Jack Lemmon didn't get that kind of money. Parker looked into his eyes and said ' Maybe Lemmon needs a new manager!’

Parker was also scared once Elvis hit Hollywood, he would see what Parker was really going. So Parker started to isolate Elvis from the outside world. That's how the Memphis Mafia started. One day songwriter Mike Stroller knocked on Elvis's hotel room door, Elvis greeted him nervously and said the Colonel wouldn’t like me doing one to one meetings.

When Elvis joined the Army, Parker told him ' Son, I consider it my patriotic duty to keep you in the 90% tax bracket'.

Parker's view was ' if you want to see Elvis Presley, you buy a ticket!’ Elvis was not allowed to give private shows, in the army or anywhere else. Also Elvis never did encores, he always left them begging for more.

During the filming of Blue Hawaii, Parker ran shouting and yelling into the middle of a scene, pointing at Elvis's watch and demanded ' if you want the watch in, you'll have to pay another 10 grand!’ No wonder Elvis began to hate making films. In public, Hal Wallis admired Parker, as a super salesman - Yet in private, he said ' I'd rather try and close a deal with the devil'. Parker really couldn’t care less about Presley's acting talent. He wanted a simple film, with cute girls and an album worth of songs. Also Parker wanted a lot of money for these films, after all he was making a fortune.

When a TV executive came to Parker offering $50,000 for a single prime time appearance by Elvis, Parker responded ' That'll be be just fine for me, but how much will you give Elvis?'

The extent of Parker's role in Elvis's wedding is disputed, some say he told Elvis to get married for publicity purposes, but it was a rushed affair with a brief guests list, which caused a huge ructions among Elvis's entourage. Parker also refused to let the happy couple have the honeymoon in Europe they wanted, he said it would upset the fans around the world. Why Elvis didn't insist on the wedding he and Priscilla really wanted is enduring mystery.

Parker was a competent hypnotist. He liked to get staff members to act like chickens and once had the Memphis Mafia barking like dogs. However, theories that Parker kept Elvis hypnotized for 20 years should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Elvis stood up to the Colonel on a handful of occasions. One was the 1968 TV Special, which Parker wanted a dull Christmassy show, thank god Elvis did it his way. It give him one of his finest, rawest performances. Then the second time happened when Parker didn’t want Elvis to record a particular song due to recording right. That song was ' Suspicious Minds'.

In 1969, Elvis went back on the road and played the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Alex Shoofy, the hotel's general manager, came to see Parker in the hotel dining room and offered a 5 year contract in which Elvis would play the hotel in February and August each year and earn $125,000 a week. Parker scribbled some terms on a red tablecloth, but he ignored inflation and tied Elvis long term. Alex Shoofy signed his agreement on the tablecloth and promptly told the press it ' was the best deal ever made in this town'. Not, perhaps, for Elvis.

Parker had a long term gambling habit and it got a lot worse in Vegas. He moved into the hotel in a fancy suite and lost million a year on the tables!

In the 70's, Elvis's income came from touring. In February 1972, he signed away one third of his tour profit to Parker.

In 1973, after a heated row, Elvis fired Parker, but he wouldn’t leave - without his million he was still waiting for. Elvis threw a fit and went on a huge drug fuelled week that culminated in a teenage girl almost overdose. Who does Elvis call to sort out the mess and keep the press away?? Parker.

Parker turned down endless offers for Elvis to tour the world. The reason was Parker was an illegal immigrant without a passport.

In 1973, RCA bought the masters - and royalty rights - of all Elvis's previous recordings for $5.4million. Jack Soden of EPE describes the deal as being right up there with the Indians selling Manhattan for 24 dollars. Seven years later, a lawyer for the Presley Estate Blacnchard Tual, concluded that Colonel Parker and RCA were probably guilty of collusion, conspiracy, fraud and misrepresentation.

In 1974, Parker set up Boxcar Enterprises to handle the merchandising business. Parker was on 40% on the income while Elvis only got 15%!

When Joe Esposito phoned Parker to tell him Elvis had died, Parkers first words were ' Oh dear god! Then after a long pause ' nothing has changed! This won’t change anything!' Within a day of Elvis's death, Parker got Vernon Presley (the executor to Elvis's will) to agree to keep al l the deals made with Elvis as they were. He also signed a deal with the merchandising company, Factors Inc. that meant Parker would take 78% of the proceeds of the forthcoming souvenir boom! At Elvis's funeral, Parker wore a Hawaiian shirt and a baseball cap. At the cemetery he wondered away from the graveside and say by himself on a police motorbike. After Vernon's death in 1979, the courts got involved and after a long battle, a deal was struck whereby Parker was cut from all connections with the Presley Estate for a hefty sum.

Colonel Tom Parker (aka Andreas 'Dries' Cornelis Van Kuijk) died in January 1997.

Interesting article about Colonel Parker

Elvis thought he owed it all to Colonel Tom Parker. Others aren't so sure.

Andreas 'Dries' Cornelis Van Kuijk was born on 26 June 1909 in Breda, Holland. He was the fifth of nine children. His father, Adam, was a liveryman who met his mother, Maria, while he was in the army. When Andreas was 16 years old, his father died, and he moved to Rotterdam. He worked as a bargeman but was entranced by the ocean-going ships in the port. It wasn't too long before he was on board a ship to New Jersey. It was thought he stowed himself away.

He was then enlisted with the US Army - they didn’t really care about papers back then - and was stationed in Hawaii. When he finally wrote home, it was in English and it was signed ' Thomas Parker'. The name was given to him by the Captain who interviewed him at the time of his enlistment.

Years later Elvis's friend Lamar Fike asked parker ' how come you never told us you were a Dutchman?' Parker looked at him and said ' Son, you never asked me'.

Parker spent several years with a touring carnival called The Johnny J. James Exposition. His special act was dancing chickens, which he achieved by hiding a hot plate under the straw of the cage! After marrying Marie Mott in 1935, Parker left the carnival to work for the Tampa Humane Society (I bet he never told them about the dancing chickens!) he then moved to Nashville and became the manager to country singer Eddie Arnold.

Parker was given an honorary commission, from an old friend called Jimmy Davis. He became Louisiana Governor and then Parker was known as the Colonel from that day onwards. Funnily enough, in March 1961, Governor Buford Ellington of Tennessee made Elvis an honorary Colonel. Elvis didn’t deem it necessary to use his title.

In 1953, Eddie Arnold fired Parker for unknown reasons. Parker then hooked up with Hank Snow and created Jamboree Attractions, which became the biggest booking agencies in the South. Yet that partnership broke up bitterly when Parker, without Snow, signed a new young talent. His name was Elvis Presley.

Parker first met Elvis in February 1955, in a Memphis Coffee Shop. Parker’s first words to Elvis were ' you got a manager, son?’ He signed Elvis onto the Jamboree Attractions and was ready to pounce on him. Elvis was still under-age in 1955, so Parker knew the contract had to be signed by his parents. Vernon was a push over but Gladys didn’t trust Parker. So to get her into his good books, backstage at one of her son's shows, she met a close friend of Parker's who told her ' Parker is a good Christian gentleman'.

Then Elvis's parents signed the contract on 15 August 1955.

Soon Parker set up a deal with RCA Records Company and Hill and Range, his own music publishers. Steve Scholes, RCA's Director of Country music, put his neck on the line by offering $23,000. Hill and Range offered a further $15,000. So with $40,000 offer in place, Parker paid Sam Phillips an agreed $35, 00 and give Elvis $5,000. Elvis signed with RCA on November 21 1955. The next day he sent a telegram to Parker in which he promised to stick with him through thick and thin, and he also loved him like a father.

On January 8, 1956, Elvis turned 21 years old and was given a new contract - To sign as an adult. It ratified all previous contracts and gave the Colonel 25% of all Elvis's earnings. Once Parker became his full time manager, he never wanted anyone else. He told the press ' I'll live and breathe Elvis 24 hours a day'.

Parker showed his nerve when he demanded $100,000 for Elvis to star in Love Me Tender. When the Producer said even Jack Lemmon didn't get that kind of money. Parker looked into his eyes and said ' Maybe Lemmon needs a new manager!’

Parker was also scared once Elvis hit Hollywood, he would see what Parker was really going. So Parker started to isolate Elvis from the outside world. That's how the Memphis Mafia started. One day songwriter Mike Stroller knocked on Elvis's hotel room door, Elvis greeted him nervously and said the Colonel wouldn’t like me doing one to one meetings.

When Elvis joined the Army, Parker told him ' Son, I consider it my patriotic duty to keep you in the 90% tax bracket'.

Parker's view was ' if you want to see Elvis Presley, you buy a ticket!’ Elvis was not allowed to give private shows, in the army or anywhere else. Also Elvis never did encores, he always left them begging for more.

During the filming of Blue Hawaii, Parker ran shouting and yelling into the middle of a scene, pointing at Elvis's watch and demanded ' if you want the watch in, you'll have to pay another 10 grand!’ No wonder Elvis began to hate making films. In public, Hal Wallis admired Parker, as a super salesman - Yet in private, he said ' I'd rather try and close a deal with the devil'. Parker really couldn’t care less about Presley's acting talent. He wanted a simple film, with cute girls and an album worth of songs. Also Parker wanted a lot of money for these films, after all he was making a fortune.

When a TV executive came to Parker offering $50,000 for a single prime time appearance by Elvis, Parker responded ' That'll be be just fine for me, but how much will you give Elvis?'

The extent of Parker's role in Elvis's wedding is disputed, some say he told Elvis to get married for publicity purposes, but it was a rushed affair with a brief guests list, which caused a huge ructions among Elvis's entourage. Parker also refused to let the happy couple have the honeymoon in Europe they wanted, he said it would upset the fans around the world. Why Elvis didn't insist on the wedding he and Priscilla really wanted is enduring mystery.

Parker was a competent hypnotist. He liked to get staff members to act like chickens and once had the Memphis Mafia barking like dogs. However, theories that Parker kept Elvis hypnotized for 20 years should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Elvis stood up to the Colonel on a handful of occasions. One was the 1968 TV Special, which Parker wanted a dull Christmassy show, thank god Elvis did it his way. It give him one of his finest, rawest performances. Then the second time happened when Parker didn’t want Elvis to record a particular song due to recording right. That song was ' Suspicious Minds'.

In 1969, Elvis went back on the road and played the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Alex Shoofy, the hotel's general manager, came to see Parker in the hotel dining room and offered a 5 year contract in which Elvis would play the hotel in February and August each year and earn $125,000 a week. Parker scribbled some terms on a red tablecloth, but he ignored inflation and tied Elvis long term. Alex Shoofy signed his agreement on the tablecloth and promptly told the press it ' was the best deal ever made in this town'. Not, perhaps, for Elvis.

Parker had a long term gambling habit and it got a lot worse in Vegas. He moved into the hotel in a fancy suite and lost million a year on the tables!

In the 70's, Elvis's income came from touring. In February 1972, he signed away one third of his tour profit to Parker.

In 1973, after a heated row, Elvis fired Parker, but he wouldn’t leave - without his million he was still waiting for. Elvis threw a fit and went on a huge drug fuelled week that culminated in a teenage girl almost overdose. Who does Elvis call to sort out the mess and keep the press away?? Parker.

Parker turned down endless offers for Elvis to tour the world. The reason was Parker was an illegal immigrant without a passport.

In 1973, RCA bought the masters - and royalty rights - of all Elvis's previous recordings for $5.4million. Jack Soden of EPE describes the deal as being right up there with the Indians selling Manhattan for 24 dollars. Seven years later, a lawyer for the Presley Estate Blacnchard Tual, concluded that Colonel Parker and RCA were probably guilty of collusion, conspiracy, fraud and misrepresentation.

In 1974, Parker set up Boxcar Enterprises to handle the merchandising business. Parker was on 40% on the income while Elvis only got 15%!

When Joe Esposito phoned Parker to tell him Elvis had died, Parkers first words were ' Oh dear god! Then after a long pause ' nothing has changed! This won’t change anything!' Within a day of Elvis's death, Parker got Vernon Presley (the executor to Elvis's will) to agree to keep al l the deals made with Elvis as they were. He also signed a deal with the merchandising company, Factors Inc. that meant Parker would take 78% of the proceeds of the forthcoming souvenir boom! At Elvis's funeral, Parker wore a Hawaiian shirt and a baseball cap. At the cemetery he wondered away from the graveside and say by himself on a police motorbike. After Vernon's death in 1979, the courts got involved and after a long battle, a deal was struck whereby Parker was cut from all connections with the Presley Estate for a hefty sum.

Colonel Tom Parker (aka Andreas 'Dries' Cornelis Van Kuijk) died in January 1997.