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Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker first worked together in 1955, though early in Parker’s life he spent time in the carnival and tried his hand at managing other singers. Born in the Netherlands, Parker likely arrived in America as a stowaway, even though he claimed to have come to the U.S. via Canada. He also claimed that he was born in West Virginia instead of Europe, asserted shortly after he began working with Elvis, as Biography notes. After meeting Presley in Memphis, whom Parker had heard was destined to become a star, the two joined forces and after that point, Presley’s career began to skyrocket. (Even though Parker did serve in the military, the rank with which he became associated was merely honorary, as Biography also states.)

Parker certainly played a part in Elvis becoming the major celebrity we now know today. He was known to scout ahead of Elvis while touring preparing local media and radio for the star’s arrival, among other tasks. Parker is also a controversial figure, known to have defrauded the King of Rock and Roll on several occasions for as much as $8 million. He also pocketed some $6 million on a deal for Elvis’ music when the singer himself only received a bit less than $5 million for his own music. The 50/50 revenue split Parker maintained with Elvis was also unusual, with typical promoters and managers such as Parker earning between 10% and 15% percent of their client’s earnings, as Biography goes on explain.

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