​COLONEL PARKER: HERO OR HEEL Godverdomme!

This work is not a biography but an overview of the private and commercial life of one of the world’s most famous, some may say infamous, showbusiness managers. Being the boss of a business, a football team or an entertainer attracts a variety of praise and abuse, and, since Elvis’ death, Colonel Parker has been vilified from all quarters. I was battered and bruised when Elvis died. He was my hero, the voice I turned to when I needed solace, the man who spearheaded my social existence and enabled me to cultivate lifelong friendships with like-minded souls. It would be wrong of me to say that Elvis knew me, but he was aware of what I did, and that was a thrill. On several occasions, he acknowledged me and our party of Fan Club members from the stage when we were in his audience. How good is that?! Colonel Parker knew me, helped me, was kind to me and my family, particularly during some difficult times. He was my friend, but that does not exonerate him from the mistakes he made when looking after Elvis’ interests. All that said, I want Colonel Parker to be remembered as Elvis’ manager, and not mistakenly as the guy who invented Southern Fried Chicken.