Fresh Air: Best Of – Mariska Hargitay / Marc Maron
Episode Release Date: August 2, 2025
Host: Terry Gross
Guest: Peter Guralnick, Author of The Colonel and the King
Topic: An in-depth exploration of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley’s enigmatic manager, and his complex relationship with the King of Rock and Roll.
Introduction to Colonel Tom Parker
Terry Gross opens the episode by delving into the intricate history of Colonel Tom Parker, often cited as one of the most influential yet controversial managers in the music industry. Parker, known for his cunning business acumen, played a pivotal role in shaping Elvis Presley’s career. However, his background is shrouded in mystery and deception.
Notable Quote:
"Parker's name and his background were fictions. He was really from Holland, not the U.S. he stowed away on a ship to the U.S. and never became a citizen of America."
[00:45]
Peter Guralnick’s Insight
Peter Guralnick, renowned for his definitive two-volume biography of Elvis Presley, joins the conversation to shed light on Parker’s true character. Guralnick had access to Parker’s extensive archives, including thousands of personal letters, which provided unprecedented insights into Parker’s life and his relationship with Elvis.
Notable Quote:
"His letters were worthy of a book and and now Guralnik has written it. It's called The Colonel and the King."
[03:15]
Parker’s Influence on Elvis’s Music Choices
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Parker’s role in defending Elvis’s artistic choices. Contrary to popular belief, Parker did not interfere with the music Elvis chose to record. Instead, he acted as a staunch defender against external pressures from record companies and movie studios aiming to shape Elvis’s image and sound.
Notable Quote:
"Colonel had absolutely nothing to do with the music. He did not have one single thing other than to defend Elvis's ability to make the music he wanted to make."
[05:32]
Example Discussed: Heartbreak Hotel Terry Gross cites the iconic recording of "Heartbreak Hotel" as a prime example of Parker’s supportive management. While RCA initially favored more mainstream, upbeat songs like "Wham Bam Hot Ziggity Zam," Elvis insisted on recording "Heartbreak Hotel," a decision Parker fully backed.
Notable Quote:
"The Colonel's strategy was proved out, which was that Elvis knew what he wanted, he knew his music, he knew his business, and Colonel was going to defend him to the last bit."
[07:11]
Colonel Tom Parker’s Early Life and Identity
Guralnick provides a comprehensive background on Parker, revealing his true identity as Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk from Breda, Holland. Parker's penchant for self-invention began early, adopting the name Tom Parker and crafting a persona that would later become synonymous with Elvis’s success.
Notable Quote:
"In an age which prizes self-invention, there is no one who was more an exemplar of self-invention than Andreas Cornelius von Kirk."
[10:57]
Military Service and Controversial Discharge
The episode addresses the controversial aspects of Parker’s military service, including rumors of a psychopathic discharge. Guralnick clarifies that Parker served honorably, despite a brief period of AWOL that led to isolation and hospitalization.
Notable Quote:
"He was honorably discharged. He was always proud of that."
[16:12]
Defending Elvis’s Performances and Movie Ambitions
Parker was instrumental in securing prominent television appearances for Elvis, notably on The Ed Sullivan Show. When Sullivan initially refused to book Elvis, Parker negotiated an unprecedented deal ensuring Elvis’s artistic control over his performances.
Notable Quote:
"He was going to defend his artist's independence and right to determine his own, make his own artistic choices."
[16:37]
Guralnick highlights Parker’s support for Elvis’s aspiration to be a serious actor, influencing the trajectory of Elvis’s film career towards more substantive roles, such as in King Creole.
Strains and Reconciliation in Parker-Elvis Relationship
The relationship between Elvis and Parker faced significant strains, particularly in the early 1970s when both struggled with personal issues. In September 1973, mutual frustrations led to a temporary rupture, with Parker resigning and Elvis expressing anger towards him. However, their reconciliation soon followed, demonstrating the depth and complexity of their partnership.
Notable Quote:
"It was Elvis's need for money. It wasn't Colonel's doing that he was on the road."
[34:42]
Guralnick’s Personal Interactions with Parker
Guralnick recounts his personal attempts to engage with Parker, including an invitation to correspond and attend Parker’s 80th birthday party. These interactions reveal Parker’s reluctance to disclose personal details and his steadfast loyalty to maintaining Elvis’s legacy without tarnishing his own image.
Notable Quote:
"He was always going to take the blame, and that was what had left. But really the truest thing he said was he said to Bob Hilburn... I really loved him."
[39:28]
Parker’s Legacy and Final Thoughts
In closing, Guralnick emphasizes Parker’s unwavering dedication to Elvis, highlighting the love and loyalty that underpinned their professional relationship. Despite controversies and personal flaws, Parker’s influence on Elvis’s career remains indelible.
Notable Quote:
"He truly did [love Elvis] from the moment he met him. And I think it was a love that was reciprocated by Elvis."
[40:24]
Closing Remarks and Musical Highlights
The episode concludes with Guralnick sharing his favorite Elvis recordings, underscoring the enduring legacy of both Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker. Terry Gross thanks Guralnick for his insightful contributions and congratulates him on his recent publication.
Additional Content:
Throughout the episode, interspersed with the interview are classic Elvis performances, such as "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight," which serve to illustrate the points discussed.
Example:
"Heartbreak Hotel" featuring Chet Atkins on guitar and Floyd Rammerstein at the piano
[09:13 - 09:25]
Conclusion
This episode of Fresh Air offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of Colonel Tom Parker’s role in Elvis Presley’s career. Through Peter Guralnick’s meticulous research and personal insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and dynamics that defined one of rock and roll’s most legendary partnerships.