In 1966, Elvis Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, decided he needed to exercise stronger control over his celebrity client. Elvis’ drug use had ramped up, something everyone in his life was aware of, and he fell and hurt himself while under the influence. Parker warned Elvis that if he didn’t take his advice, he would lose everything.
Elvis’ manager told him he would lose everything after he fell and hit his head
In 1966, Elvis’ friend, Joe Esposito, came to pick the singer up to go to the studio. He found him in the house, woozy, with a sizable lump on his head.
“Into 1966, he started taking downers more heavily, gradually at first,” bodyguard Sonny West said in the book Elvis: What Happened? by Steve Dunleavy. “But he started heavy into them more and more as he got more and more bored. Around about that time, he fell very badly...
Elvis’ manager told him he would lose everything after he fell and hit his head
In 1966, Elvis’ friend, Joe Esposito, came to pick the singer up to go to the studio. He found him in the house, woozy, with a sizable lump on his head.
“Into 1966, he started taking downers more heavily, gradually at first,” bodyguard Sonny West said in the book Elvis: What Happened? by Steve Dunleavy. “But he started heavy into them more and more as he got more and more bored. Around about that time, he fell very badly...
- 4/24/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley worked with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, for years. Parker helped lift Elvis to unprecedented heights, but he also kept the singer on a tight leash. Elvis rarely pushed back against Parker’s leadership, even when he disagreed with his decisions. According to those who knew the singer, he was terrified of Parker.
Elvis bowed to his manager’s power
In 1956, Parker became Elvis’ manager, a position he would hold until the singer’s death in 1977. Most people saw Elvis as confident, boisterous, and good-humored. He rarely showed this side of himself around his manager, though.
Parker controlled Elvis’ career and business interests, but he also had a hand in the singer’s personal life. When he instructed Elvis to stop spending time alone with his barber, Larry Geller, Elvis did not argue.
Colonel Parker and Elvis | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
“Elvis sat and listened like an obedient child,...
Elvis bowed to his manager’s power
In 1956, Parker became Elvis’ manager, a position he would hold until the singer’s death in 1977. Most people saw Elvis as confident, boisterous, and good-humored. He rarely showed this side of himself around his manager, though.
Parker controlled Elvis’ career and business interests, but he also had a hand in the singer’s personal life. When he instructed Elvis to stop spending time alone with his barber, Larry Geller, Elvis did not argue.
Colonel Parker and Elvis | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
“Elvis sat and listened like an obedient child,...
- 4/22/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, ran the singer’s career with rigid control. He exercised a similar level of oversight over Elvis’ personal life. He encouraged him to get married, cut friends out of Elvis’ life, and directed him away from certain interests. Because of this, some people in Elvis’ life did not believe Parker wasn’t aware of his drug use. They believe Parker should have done more to help him.
People who knew Elvis thought Colonel Parker should have done more for him
By the mid-1970s, everyone in Elvis’ life was concerned about his well-being. He took increasing amounts of drugs and began to look unwell. Elvis’ bass player, Duke Bardwell, wished Parker would have stepped in to help Elvis. He believed his unwillingness to do so came down to Parker’s “lack of humanity … because Colonel was the only one that could help” (via...
People who knew Elvis thought Colonel Parker should have done more for him
By the mid-1970s, everyone in Elvis’ life was concerned about his well-being. He took increasing amounts of drugs and began to look unwell. Elvis’ bass player, Duke Bardwell, wished Parker would have stepped in to help Elvis. He believed his unwillingness to do so came down to Parker’s “lack of humanity … because Colonel was the only one that could help” (via...
- 4/15/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley built a fan base that supported him for years. They bought his records, watched his films, and let loose at his concerts. While Elvis loved the way his fans showed their devotion to him, his bodyguards did not. They believed the behavior of the audiences at the singer’s concerts was shocking.
Elvis’ entourage said fans behaved appallingly during concerts
Elvis’ bodyguards were on hand at concerts to make sure the singer was safe during his performances. Ultimately, though, they said they had to watch out for the safety of the audience more than they did Elvis.
“I swear I don’t know how someone hasn’t been killed at some of these shows,” bodyguard Red West said in the book Elvis: What Happened? by Steve Dunleavy. “There have been a lot of people hurt but it’s a miracle somebody hasn’t been killed.”
Elvis Presley | Bettmann...
Elvis’ entourage said fans behaved appallingly during concerts
Elvis’ bodyguards were on hand at concerts to make sure the singer was safe during his performances. Ultimately, though, they said they had to watch out for the safety of the audience more than they did Elvis.
“I swear I don’t know how someone hasn’t been killed at some of these shows,” bodyguard Red West said in the book Elvis: What Happened? by Steve Dunleavy. “There have been a lot of people hurt but it’s a miracle somebody hasn’t been killed.”
Elvis Presley | Bettmann...
- 4/11/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
For nearly all of his career, Elvis Presley worked with controversial manager Colonel Tom Parker. Parker helped Elvis on his rise to success, but he also hindered him in some ways, not allowing him to perform internationally or act in the films Elvis wanted. Elvis occasionally expressed a great deal of resentment toward Parker. Still, they worked together until Elvis’ death, and Parker attended the funeral. His choice of attire shocked everyone there.
Colonel Parker did not dress up for Elvis’ funeral
Elvis died on the afternoon of Aug. 16, 1977. Two days later, his family held a funeral at Graceland. Thousands of mourning fans gathered outside the home’s gates while the singer’s friends, family, and associates attended the service. It was a somber, tragic affair, which made Parker’s choice of clothing stand out all the more.
Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis | Gab Archive/Redferns
Parker arrived at Graceland...
Colonel Parker did not dress up for Elvis’ funeral
Elvis died on the afternoon of Aug. 16, 1977. Two days later, his family held a funeral at Graceland. Thousands of mourning fans gathered outside the home’s gates while the singer’s friends, family, and associates attended the service. It was a somber, tragic affair, which made Parker’s choice of clothing stand out all the more.
Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis | Gab Archive/Redferns
Parker arrived at Graceland...
- 3/16/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
While Elvis Presley was primarily a singer, he starred in many films over the course of his career. At first, this came as a thrill to him. He showed promise as an actor and it helped diversify his career. As time went by, though, Elvis grew increasingly exhausted by his film roles. Eventually, he reached a point where he felt disgusted when he watched himself on screen.
Elvis grew tired of watching himself in films
Elvis starred in his debut film, Love Me Tender, in 1956. His film career advanced quickly from here; Love Me Tender was the only film on which Elvis did not receive top billing.
While movies brought him greater exposure — and large paychecks — Elvis began losing interest in them. The quality of the films he starred in declined and he began to resent these projects. Eventually, he could hardly stand to watch himself on screen.
“He would...
Elvis grew tired of watching himself in films
Elvis starred in his debut film, Love Me Tender, in 1956. His film career advanced quickly from here; Love Me Tender was the only film on which Elvis did not receive top billing.
While movies brought him greater exposure — and large paychecks — Elvis began losing interest in them. The quality of the films he starred in declined and he began to resent these projects. Eventually, he could hardly stand to watch himself on screen.
“He would...
- 2/29/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis has had a resurgence in popular culture with Baz Luhrmann's colorful fantasia "Elvis" about his dazzling star presence and complex relationship with Colonel Parker, and Sofia Coppola's incisive "Priscilla" which views him through a more critical lens, delving into the uneven power dynamics and manipulation that defined his marriage.
But it was "Lilo & Stitch" that introduced Elvis to many millennial and Gen Z audiences. With its quirky alien characters and gorgeous watercolor backgrounds that illustrate the Hawaiian setting, "Lilo & Stitch" is one of the most unique Disney films. But what also makes "Lilo & Stitch" such a singular film is its soundtrack, particularly its inclusion of the crooning heartthrob from the 1950s, Elvis Presley. The adorable six-year-old Lilo overlooks any of Elvis' flaws and views him as a "model citizen" whom her naughty blue "puppy" Stitch can look up to.
Elvis did have a relationship with Hawaii,...
But it was "Lilo & Stitch" that introduced Elvis to many millennial and Gen Z audiences. With its quirky alien characters and gorgeous watercolor backgrounds that illustrate the Hawaiian setting, "Lilo & Stitch" is one of the most unique Disney films. But what also makes "Lilo & Stitch" such a singular film is its soundtrack, particularly its inclusion of the crooning heartthrob from the 1950s, Elvis Presley. The adorable six-year-old Lilo overlooks any of Elvis' flaws and views him as a "model citizen" whom her naughty blue "puppy" Stitch can look up to.
Elvis did have a relationship with Hawaii,...
- 2/24/2024
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
Elvis Presley wasn’t always associated with the white jumpsuits that became integral to his stage shows. However, one costume from the 1970s changed his stage style forever, allowing the King of Rock and Roll to become synonymous with one particular look.
Elvis Presley’s stage costumes in his Vegas era were inspired by one unforgettable look
Filming for the concert documentary Elvis: That’s the Way It Is began in 1970. The footage was shot at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The concerts captured on film were Presley’s first live performances in over a decade. His last was in March of 1961.
Presley performed a benefit to help fund the building of the USS Arizona Memorial. His show raised around $62,000 for the memorial, which was completed a year later.
Therefore, the entertainer wanted a dynamic look when he returned to the concert stage. He turned to his costume designer, Bill Belew,...
Elvis Presley’s stage costumes in his Vegas era were inspired by one unforgettable look
Filming for the concert documentary Elvis: That’s the Way It Is began in 1970. The footage was shot at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The concerts captured on film were Presley’s first live performances in over a decade. His last was in March of 1961.
Presley performed a benefit to help fund the building of the USS Arizona Memorial. His show raised around $62,000 for the memorial, which was completed a year later.
Therefore, the entertainer wanted a dynamic look when he returned to the concert stage. He turned to his costume designer, Bill Belew,...
- 2/3/2024
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley’s fans were extremely dedicated to the musician. When the people closest to him began to worry about the level of professionalism at his concerts, they still stuck by him. At one show in 1977, though, even his fans didn’t seem to know what to think of him. The concert went so poorly that many attendees left with concerns about Elvis’ well being.
Elvis fans were not happy after a 1977 concert
In May of 1977, Elvis began a tour just two weeks after the previous one ended. Though he kept performing, it seemed he could hardly keep himself upright.
“He was pale, swollen — he had no stamina,” one doctor said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
His deteriorating health became impossible to ignore, even for his fans. In Baltimore, Elvis left the stage for half an hour in the middle of the concert.
Elvis fans were not happy after a 1977 concert
In May of 1977, Elvis began a tour just two weeks after the previous one ended. Though he kept performing, it seemed he could hardly keep himself upright.
“He was pale, swollen — he had no stamina,” one doctor said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
His deteriorating health became impossible to ignore, even for his fans. In Baltimore, Elvis left the stage for half an hour in the middle of the concert.
- 12/31/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
This fall marks 30 awards seasons I’ve covered, not only as neutral observer, which is my main gig, but also as a fervent film fan, quietly cheering on my filmmaking heroes who sometimes manage to put their teams on the field. Sometimes they even manage to win.
But most of the time, I’ve spent the past 30 years hoping, not hyping.
I’ve hoped that the achievements that seem special to me also resonate with voters for the Oscars, Golden Globes, various guilds and critics’ groups. It doesn’t matter, if you care passionately about great cinema, you never hit the “off” button. But I’ve done so in the context of equal attention to everything, no playing favorites, let the fastest horse win at the gate.
I have also managed to personally avoid the predictions game, which now seems to almost dominate coverage across all publications, including this one.
But most of the time, I’ve spent the past 30 years hoping, not hyping.
I’ve hoped that the achievements that seem special to me also resonate with voters for the Oscars, Golden Globes, various guilds and critics’ groups. It doesn’t matter, if you care passionately about great cinema, you never hit the “off” button. But I’ve done so in the context of equal attention to everything, no playing favorites, let the fastest horse win at the gate.
I have also managed to personally avoid the predictions game, which now seems to almost dominate coverage across all publications, including this one.
- 12/21/2023
- by Steven Gaydos
- Variety Film + TV
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