Colonel Parker has long been cast as the villain of the piece, responsible for forcing his client into appalling career decisions - an arguement that ignores Parker's contribution to giving the world Elvis in the first place.

 

I read this in a book today, was just wondering what true Elvis fans thought?

Well, Brian, my feelings on Col Parker, I think are quite common amongst Elvis fans. I am full of admiration for him for the early days of Elvis' career! His dedication to promoting Elvis was second to none and, especially during the army years, he kept Elvis' name in the spotlight by well timed record releases and promotion. However, I believe that by the mid 60s, his desire for Elvis to concentrate solely on movies, was a bad one and I feel that money was one of the greater motivations. Great for Elvis and the Colonel, but not for Elvis' personal fulfilment. He truly wanted to be a dramatic actor, but the Colonel ensured he kept to the same formula for Elvis films, lightweight and singing always included.

 

When Elvis returned to performing, it was the Colonel who got him all the endless tours and stints at the International (he could have got a better deal somewhere else, but the Colonel was supposedly tied to the International due to gambling debts)

 

My honest feeling is, I wish Elvis had been brave enough to have dumped the Colonel in the 60s and gone with a more forward thinking manager. Perhaps he would have been more fulfilled and done more of what he wanted to do. But we'll never know why he didn't choose to take that step and if, Elvis' life, both professionally and personally would have benefited from that move :)

 

 

 

Thanks for that Carole, I did genuinely wonder what the feeling was among fans. You read something in an article and it is only one journalists viewpoint.

 

Makes you wonder if things had changed in the 60's where his music career may have taken him, Possibly outwith USA for instance, Now would that have made him into an even bigger star worldwide, or could he not be bigger than he already was.

I don't know Brian, I do wonder if he was happier in his career, maybe doing the things that would reward him more (and I don't necessarily mean financially),he wouldn't have continued with all the drugs etc. Can't say, because Elvis' life was so alien to the rest of us, who could live a 'normal' life when he was the first 'real' superstar in modern times. Apparently he was offered a role in 'A Star Is Born' but, with encouragement from the Colonel, he turned it down. Now, I would have loved to see him in such a role The Colonel had a 'hold' over Elvis and we'll never know what his life would have been like without him :)

For a good read about the Colonel try Alana Nash's book, you can pick up cheap copys in the like of musiczone etc.

You're right, Martin.Got mine from Musiczone for £2.99 :D

I got Johnny Cash's biog there recently £2.97 (nothing like the film I think Hollywood took too many liberties as usual) :D

I got Johnny Cash's biog there recently £2.97 (nothing like the film I think Hollywood took too many liberties as usual) :D

You're right, Martin, cos I'm reading Johnny Cash' autobiography at the moment and he talks about '50s Elvis in there, and I quote, ' I never saw him use any kind of drug, or even alcohol; he was always clear-headed around me, and very pleasant. Elvis was such a nice guy, and so talented and charismatic - he had it all - that some peole couldn't handle it and reacted with jealousy. It's just human, I suppose, but it's sad.............And you know, Elvis was so good. Every show I did with him, I never missed the chance to stand in the wings and watch. We all did. He was that charismatic.'

 

So, when they showed Elvis popping pills in Walk The Line, they were giving a false impression of him :angry: But it was a great film about JC, albeit with a few inaccuracies along the way B)

You're right, Martin, cos I'm reading Johnny Cash' autobiography at the moment and he talks about '50s Elvis in there, and I quote, ' I never saw him use any kind of drug, or even alcohol; he was always clear-headed around me, and very pleasant. Elvis was such a nice guy, and so talented and charismatic - he had it all - that some peole couldn't handle it and reacted with jealousy. It's just human, I suppose, but it's sad.............And you know, Elvis was so good. Every show I did with him, I never missed the chance to stand in the wings and watch. We all did. He was that charismatic.'

 

So, when they showed Elvis popping pills in Walk The Line, they were giving a false impression of him :angry: But it was a great film about JC, albeit with a few inaccuracies along the way B)

 

I agree and he wasn't at all blamed for his brothers death as the movie suggets :rolleyes:

I agree and he wasn't at all blamed for his brothers death as the movie suggets :rolleyes:

Yes, I was surprised about that one, Martin, especially since his son, John, was an executive producer on the film :blink: Guess it was done for dramatic effect :rolleyes:

Just thought I would post a comment made about Colonel Parker, by John Wikinson who was Elvis' rhythm guitarist from 1969 to 1977. John, along with lead guitarist James Burton – was the only one of the TCB Band never to miss a single show in all those years, notching up over 1100 performances with the King on stage

 

''There was no love lost between me and the Colonel. I'll give credit where credit's due. He was probably the shrewdest businessman I ever met but he was also the most dishonest and unethical. He was a miserable ol' sonovabitch. Tom Diskin, the Colonel's right-hand man, could have taken over Elvis' career and I think things might have turned out a little different. But the Colonel overall was a miserable old prick. I didn't like him, and he didn't like me.''

Source: www.elvis.com.au