Manager for Elvis Presley. He was born Andreas Cornelius van Kuijk in Breda, The Netherlands. At the age of eighteen, he came to the United States, changed his name to Thomas Andrew Parker and joined the U.S. Army. After serving in the army, he traveled with the circus before settling in Tampa, Florida, where he worked as a dog catcher and owner of a pet cemetery. In the late 1940s, he began a successful career as a music promoter. During this time Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis bestowed upon him the honorary title of "Colonel". His early clients included Eddie Arnold, Minnie Pearl, and Hank Snow. His affiliation with Presley began when he booked him as an opening act for Snow. He became Presley's agent in 1955. His critics accuse him of exploiting his most famous client, while his fans say he was the driving force behind Presley's success. After Presley's death, he became embroiled in controversy with the entertainer's family over the singer's estate. The dispute was settled six years after Presley's death, when he sold some master recordings of Presley to RCA for two million dollars and dropped his claims to the estate. In 1980, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where he worked as an entertainment adviser for Hilton Hotels. Palm Desert Memorial was his cremation location. The whereabouts of his cremains is unknown at this time.
Manager for Elvis Presley. He was born Andreas Cornelius van Kuijk in Breda, The Netherlands. At the age of eighteen, he came to the United States, changed his name to Thomas Andrew Parker and joined the U.S. Army. After serving in the army, he traveled with the circus before settling in Tampa, Florida, where he worked as a dog catcher and owner of a pet cemetery. In the late 1940s, he began a successful career as a music promoter. During this time Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis bestowed upon him the honorary title of "Colonel". His early clients included Eddie Arnold, Minnie Pearl, and Hank Snow. His affiliation with Presley began when he booked him as an opening act for Snow. He became Presley's agent in 1955. His critics accuse him of exploiting his most famous client, while his fans say he was the driving force behind Presley's success. After Presley's death, he became embroiled in controversy with the entertainer's family over the singer's estate. The dispute was settled six years after Presley's death, when he sold some master recordings of Presley to RCA for two million dollars and dropped his claims to the estate. In 1980, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where he worked as an entertainment adviser for Hilton Hotels. Palm Desert Memorial was his cremation location. The whereabouts of his cremains is unknown at this time.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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