Contrary to popular belief, Col. Tom Parker wasn’t an American-born citizen, nor was he naturalized after he moved to the United States. His real name was Andreas van Kuijk, and he made it big in the entertainment industry after he left the Netherlands. In fact, it can be argued that he was the most successful talent manager in history.
Elvis Presley had a particular liking for Parker. So much so that he even paid him more than his fair share. He got the job done, and that’s all that mattered to Elvis. That he was an illegal immigrant? Presley couldn’t have cared less.
The King Loved Firearms
It’s hard to tell, between firearms and guitars, what Elvis loved more. While he sure rocked hard on stage with his beloved instrument, guns could be found literally just about anywhere within his abode. Let’s just say he loved them equally.
Tom Jones recalls a time when he discovered one of Elvis’ guns casually discarded in his dressing room. His ex-girlfriend, Ginger Alden, recalls how the king, in one of his fits, deliberately shot at his TV set, obviously upset about something. It blew her mind!
He Didn't Control His Temper
By the time Elvis Presley was well into his accomplished career, his mind was starting to fall apart. The pressure must have been too much. After divorcing Priscilla and knowing she was having a relationship with another man, not knowing who his real buddies were — the anxiety and stress levels of his career were always increasing. These factors combined put an immense amount of pressure on the artist.
Guns are a way of relieving stress for some people. To have power in your hands can be somehow reassuring, a sort of relief. But the king had gone far beyond normalcy on the morning he decided it would be cool to fire his weapon at the headboard just to wake his ex-girlfriend up. That’s a bit too aggressive for a morning wake-up call!
The King Was Kind and Generous
Elvis Presley was overly giving to his friends and the people he cared about. To his manager, toward the end of his life, he had been far too generous, perhaps, agreeing to share 50% of his earnings. He essentially made him an equal partner — a move unheard of in the industry.
Presley had some wacky ways of expressing gratitude, and they usually involved some lavish spending. His gifts to his family were so expensive they would make the recipients feel guilty. Elvis was lovely that way. He was one of a kind, and rather than corrupting him, his fame only made him more generous and thoughtful.
The King Used to Dress Up as a Cop
The king of rock ‘n’ roll didn’t run out of ideas, especially when it came to expressing his gratitude to his fans. He acknowledged their importance to his career and how different his situation would be without them.
He liked to dress up as a cop and pretend to halt cars down the highway. He’d pretend to check for possible violations, grab a pen to write them an official ticket that turned out to be him just giving out a free autograph. The fans loved Presley. He was affable and funny, sometimes like a big kid. Believe it or not, he got a real badge later in life.