Colonel Tom Parker on This Day in History

This day in History: Colonel Tom Parker was born on this day in 1909. Thomas Andrew Parker, commonly known as Colonel Parker, was a musical entrepreneur, best known for being Elvis Presley's manager.

Born in the Netherlands, Parker entered the United States illegally when he was 20 years old. He adopted a new name and claimed to have been born in the United States. A carnival worker by background, Parker moved into music promotion in 1938, working with one of the first popular crooners, Gene Austin, and then country music singers Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, and Tommy Sands. He also assisted Jimmie Davis' campaign to become governor of Louisiana. As a reward, Davis gave him the honorary rank of "colonel" in the Louisiana State Militia.

Parker encountered Presley in 1955, and by 1956 had become his primary representative. With Parker's help, Presley signed a recording contract with RCA Victor, leading to his commercial breakthrough in 1956 with his sixth single "Heartbreak Hotel" and propelling him to become one of the most popular and commercially successful entertainers in the world.

"Parker is hated by the fans because he got 25%, then 50%, of Elvis’ income. But he brought Elvis to the attention of his audience. He gave Elvis the venue that made Elvis into an icon. There was no indication that Elvis would escape the country music circuit until Parker took over as manager in September, 1955." Source

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