The Colonel and the King

Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, and the Partnership that Rocked the World

By: Peter Guralnick

Narrated by: Jim Meskimen

From the award-winning biographer of Elvis Presley, a groundbreaking dual portrait of the relationship between the iconic artist and his legendary manager—drawing on a wealth of the Colonel's never-before-seen correspondence to reveal that this oft-reviled figure was in fact a confidant, friend, and architect of his client’s success

In early 1955, Colonel Tom Parker—manager of the number-one country music star of the day—heard that an unknown teenager from Memphis had just drawn a crowd of more than eight hundred people to a Texas schoolhouse, and headed south to investigate. Within days, Parker was sending out telegrams and letters to promoters and booking agents: “We have a new boy that is absolutely going to be one of the biggest things in the business in a very short time. His name is ELVIS PRESLEY.” Later that year, after signing with RCA, the young man sent a telegram of his own: “Dear Colonel, Words can never tell you how my folks and I appreciate what you did for me.... I love you like a father.”

The close personal bond between Elvis and the Colonel has never been fully portrayed before. It was a relationship founded on mutual admiration and support. From the outset, the Colonel defended Elvis fiercely and indefatigably against RCA executives, Elvis’s own booking agents, and movie moguls. But in their final years together, the story grew darker, as the Colonel found himself unable to protect Elvis from himself or control growing problems of his own.

Featuring troves of previously unpublished correspondence, revelatory for both its insights and emotional depth, The Colonel and the King provides a unique perspective on not one but two American originals. A tale of the birth of the modern-day superstar (an invention almost entirely of Parker’s making) by Peter Guralnick, the most acclaimed music writer of his generation, it presents these two misunderstood icons as they’ve never been seen before: with all of their brilliance, humor, and flaws on full display.

basically a fan for the colonel

well researched i liked it I thought there would be more about Elvis Allana Nash's book is more entertaining

The man behind the King

A very good historical account and filling in the human nature aspect of deals/contracts. I had gained lots of insight on Tom Parker as well as Elvis. I feel the “letters” were redundant and actually could have been omitted for brevity. Additionally, the ending felt abrupt.

Letters from Parker

Elvis is always an interesting subject and Peter’s deep research based approach can typically bring something new to a story told many many times.

I still don’t like the Colonel.

I’m not a fan of Colonel Tom Parker. I think he is the poster boy for greed in the music industry. I gave him full credit for bringing the world Elvis Presley. But he really should have bowed out when Elvis returned from the army. Unfortunately, he was self-serving, egotistical, and ended admitted shyster. His whole snowman routine was no joke. He conned everyone he met, but no one more than Elvis himself.

This book sheds a little light on Tom Parker, the man. But it doesn’t get him off the hook for the emotional crimes he committed in driving Elvis to his isolation and eventual demise.

Immensely entertaining!

I have read all of Mr Guralnick’s books and they are all essential to any American roots library. But I have to say I approached this book with one thought; did I REALLY want to know this much about Colonel Tom Parker? Well, I was dead wrong, this book is both revelatory in reappraising the complex relationship between Elvis and the Colonel AND incredibly fun to read. The Colonel was such a character, the letters are insightful and shot full of his unique brand of humor, this book will completely overturn whatever you THINK you might know about the Colonel. HIGHLY recommended, BTW, beautifully read by Jim Meskiemen