- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd (23 Sep 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1845130251
- ISBN-13: 978-1845130251
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
386,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #23 in Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Styles > Rock & Pop > Singers & Groups > Elvis Presley
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Alanna Nash's biography of Colonel Tom Parker, The Colonel, uncovers a life story even more complicated, dark and entertaining than that of the promoter's greatest talent, Elvis Presley. Nash had unique access to the Colonel and many of those closely connected to him in assembling the facts that underlie her narrative, and the book reads like a mystery as it probes the origins of Parker's power.
Ultimately, Parker was protecting himself in his manipulation of Elvis, Nash argues. Though her evidence is not conclusive, she suggests that Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk) feared deportation his entire life, but, more importantly, he may have fled his native Holland in 1929 after committing murder. In America Andreas transformed himself into Tom Parker while immersing himself in the worlds of the carnival and circus. This work led him to the promotion of musical acts and, eventually, the creation of his greatest mass entertainment and merchandising bonanza, Elvis. Elvis would become a shield against the demons of Parker's past and fuel his insatiable appetites.
Parker's life remains shrouded to a large degree, despite Nash's efforts. The narrative is at times sensational in its attempts to dramatise the malign aspects of Parker's character, and those coming for a definitive answer as to the cause of Elvis's self-destruction will find new light, but no final answers. Yet Nash's biography will likely remain the best picture we will ever have of the mysterious Tom Parker, and fans of Elvis will appreciate this insider's view into their hero's rise and fall. --Patrick O'Kelley, Amazon.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Alanna Nash's book was praised in hardback as the final word on one of the music business's most extraordinary and sinister figures. About the only indisputable thing about him was that he was Elvis Presley's manager. The Colonel was not a real colonel, shows Nash: he bought the title from a man in Louisiana, and was himself an army deserter, eventually discharged after being diagnosed a psychopath. He was actually a Dutchman, christened Andreas van Kujik, who may have come to America, illegally, to escape arrest for bludgeoning a woman to death. He behaved like a fairground barker in all his dealings with record companies and film studios because that's exactly what he was: a 'carny man'. Alanna Nash's book is more than a compulsive and fascinating read: it explains for the first time the odd trajectory of Elvis's career: Parker never booked him to tour Europe because of the dark secret that prevented him from going back there; but he did book Elvis, even at the height of his fame, into gruelling seasons in Las Vegas so that his own gambling debts there would never be called in. Throughout their partnership, Elvis took, as Parker put, '50 per cent of everything I earn.'
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Alanna Nash has written a marvellous account of the man who was the driving force behind Elvis Presley. Colonel Tom Parker was the man who took Elvis to the heights - and then stood by as the King destroyed himself by the age of 42.
It's been a mystery to many how Elvis allowed his talents to waste in a string of hopeless Hollywood movies and Las Vegas concerts that ended in embarrassment.
Nash's meticulous research explains how it all began in Holland when a young Dutchman, Dries van Kuijk, fled the country for America, assumed the name of Tom Parker, and joined the carnival trail through his new country.
That trade taught Parker the tricks that would prove invaluable in promoting the young singing sensation he met in Nashville in 1954.
Alanna Nash's story is littered with familiar names from Hank Williams to Natalie Wood; from Marlon Brando to Michael Jackson.
But it's the relevations about Parker's dark past in Holland, his gambling addiction and the deals which allowed him to take up to 50 per cent of Presley's earnings which take the breath away.
While Elvis was singing on the stages of Las Vegas, Parker was downstairs spending his earnings in the casinos. And, as Nash points out again and again, part of Presley's tragedy was that he was never strong enough to rid himself of the colonel.
There's no doubt that Parker made Presley popular music's first world superstar - but, in the end, was Parker good for Presley ? There's no comfortable summary from Alanna Nash. Like a good reporter, she allows the facts to speak for themselves. It's up to the reader to decide - I know whose side I'm on.
It's been a mystery to many how Elvis allowed his talents to waste in a string of hopeless Hollywood movies and Las Vegas concerts that ended in embarrassment.
Nash's meticulous research explains how it all began in Holland when a young Dutchman, Dries van Kuijk, fled the country for America, assumed the name of Tom Parker, and joined the carnival trail through his new country.
That trade taught Parker the tricks that would prove invaluable in promoting the young singing sensation he met in Nashville in 1954.
Alanna Nash's story is littered with familiar names from Hank Williams to Natalie Wood; from Marlon Brando to Michael Jackson.
But it's the relevations about Parker's dark past in Holland, his gambling addiction and the deals which allowed him to take up to 50 per cent of Presley's earnings which take the breath away.
While Elvis was singing on the stages of Las Vegas, Parker was downstairs spending his earnings in the casinos. And, as Nash points out again and again, part of Presley's tragedy was that he was never strong enough to rid himself of the colonel.
There's no doubt that Parker made Presley popular music's first world superstar - but, in the end, was Parker good for Presley ? There's no comfortable summary from Alanna Nash. Like a good reporter, she allows the facts to speak for themselves. It's up to the reader to decide - I know whose side I'm on.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The story starts with our `hero' growing up in Holland and eventually moving over the America, going through various jobs and small-time management roles until meeting Elvis. This is of course where things get interesting...
The book is nicely placed giving about ¾ of its length to the story of `Elvis and the Colonel' and really does offer some interesting insights into the relationship. You will never come through the book liking the guy and you will feel the pain of the huge talent that Elvis left untapped but this is certainly a journey and Elvis fan will find enlightening.
The book is nicely placed giving about ¾ of its length to the story of `Elvis and the Colonel' and really does offer some interesting insights into the relationship. You will never come through the book liking the guy and you will feel the pain of the huge talent that Elvis left untapped but this is certainly a journey and Elvis fan will find enlightening.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
We all believe we know Colonel Tom Parker.He was a horrible man who mistreated Elvis, took his money,used and abused him.Alanna Nash shows the Colonel from a different perspective.He was shrewd with a great business brain that saw every opportunity to make money but he should also take credit for opening up the access to Elvis that we all enjoy to this day.He brought Elvis to us all,in film,books and of course his music.Without the Colonel,there might never have been Elvis but,without doubt, without the Colonel we wouldn't have felt we knew Elvis personally.The Colonel showed kindness,able to hold a grudge but at the same time would remember kindness and would repay it in kind.You just have to read this book.Quite simply,the best book ever written about Elvis.Buy it and enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Colonel:Yhe Extraordinary Story of Colnel Tom Parket and Elvis...
Book arrived in good time and good condition. Content is world-shattering in parts but over-written in others. Well researched and important in its content... Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. Harrod
WOW!
An absolute MUST read for every Elvis fan or rock 'n' roll interested person on the planet.
The story of Colonel Thomas Parker is in every way as amazing as the one of his... Read more
The story of Colonel Thomas Parker is in every way as amazing as the one of his... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Danish elvis
The colonel revealed
This is a thorough description of a complex man. Alanna Nash writes well. She describes the colonel's outward persona, as experienced by many who met him and had to deal with... Read more
Published on 6 May 2010 by E. Braben
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