Elvis Presley Biography by Jeff Schrembs

You knew Elvis?

As my friend Jimmy Pineapple would say -"Case. Fcking. Closed."

Hello Jeff, couldn't agree more! you are obvbiously a great fan, so I hope you don't mind me picking your brains slightly.
Do you know if Elvis presley have an opinion on Bob Dylan? I've read Dylan was and still is a fan of his.

Yes Elvis Presley did have an opinion of Dylan.
First is that Elvis initially was "put off" when he tried to listen to the song on the radio (which is where he initially heard it) and he kept playing with the knobs adjusting them to hear better but could not. In spite of that Elvis had one of the guys add the name Bob Dylan to the list of records to be purchased (note: throughout Elvis' music career he had people go directly out and buy a MINIMUM of 2 of the records (45's) first and then if Elvis approved the 33's (albums).
When Elvis listened to the record he closed his eyes, leaned back into the couch, when Marty Lacker made a comment about "mumbling" and Elvis threw a pillow at him and said SHHHHUUUUSHHH putting his finger to his mouth. Everyone was silent.
Elvis listened again and again and said "that boys a genius". Elvis was moved by the song, the feelings in the song, and after receiving the Album Elvis was taken aback that Dylan was not black. Elvis laughed and said "son of a bitch, man they thought I was black for years...just goes to show you...".
Through the years Elvis collected Dylan ALBUMS, and went away from just his 45's, because Elvis knew that the Albums would have good songs - deep songs - American songs and he listened to them over and over.
There are a few UNRELEASED songs of Dylan and Elvis did (at rehearsal, onstage,etc.).
One of the things that Elvis respected about Dylan was that he was an ORIGINAL and he played his instruments, wrote songs from the heart, and captured wonderful feelings/stories in song.

I hope that this answers your question.
Take care and God bless.
Jeff Schrembs
www.ElvisCollector.info

Jeff Schrembs, Elvis Presley Expert/Collector Worldwide

Thank you Jeff for taking the time to answere (very fully) my question. It was just something I've wondered about for a long time.
I think the originality of both men is key, something todays talent scouts would probably be too frightened to take a chance on even if it jumped up and bit them! I simply enjoy the noises they both make! Thanks again sir and may G-d bless you too,
Ricky.

Hello again Jeff, I was wondering what your opinion is of colonel Parker?

In response to the question about Colonel Parker my response is:

Thank you for the question.
And thinking about Colonel Parker brings up many, many, mixed emotions.
Lets start with the "negative" ones first.
Colonel Parker was an ILLEGAL ALIEN who should have applied for Citizenship.
Colonel Parker had Vernon Presley sign, under duress and during Elvis' Funeral, documents that allowed him to personally collect 75% commission AND did not require him to disclose all of the moneys he was collecting through "side deals" and souveniers.
Colonel Parker sold Elvis' entire "recording library" to RCA, in the mid 70's, for less than 10% of what it was worth.
Colonel Parker ALWAYS put the "fear of God" into Elvis about the IRS. I believe the reason for that was that Colonel Parker was an ILLEGAL ALIEN and had no legitimate SS# and feared he would be caught. Therefore Elvis SUFFERED as (a) he was in a NINETY PERCENT TAX BRACKET (for many years) for Federal Income Taxes (b) each and every year since 1956 Elvis paid the HIGHEST PERCENTAGE of Federal Income Taxes and (c) Elvis NEVER set up or claimed ALL of the "allowable deductions" that he otherwise would be eligible for. In fact, each year Elvis (with the "blessing of COlonel Parker") sent his tax returns into the IRS and said "tell me what I owe you".
Colonel Parker made MILLIONS of dollars in CASH selling, and charging the vendors, for Elvis items (i.e. photos, dogs, stuffed animals, jewerly, etc.) in Las Vegas and during Concerts. He did give Elvis a SMALL PERCENTAGE but Elvis was cheated out of MILLIONS of dollars.
Colomel Parker turned down MILLIONS of DOLLARs, that were offered for Elvis to play a few concerts out of the Country, under the guise of "they don't have the concert venues" or "we can't get the equipment permits to set up" or "whatever else". In fact (again) I believe that Colonel Parker was AFFRAID that somehow/someway the fact that he was NOT legally named "Colonel Parker" or "Parker" and he was an ILLEGAL ALIEN and NOT a US Citizen would have come out and destroyed him. So, Elvis (in order to meet his monetary obligations) had to play Las Vegas "two shows a night 7 days a week" AND travel a few hundred days a year from 1971 through 1977. These shows, the stress, and the traveling had a NEGATIVE IMPACT on Elvis and I believe cost him his health and never allowed him to...recover and to get off the mediciations he was taking (in excess and otherwise).
Colonel Parker, even after Vernon Presley died, dragged out the Court Proceedings (against him filed by Priscilla on behalf of Elvis' Estate) and caused the case to be "settled" for a fraction of what Elvis Estate was entitled to. It was a TRAGIC "salt in the wound" manuever by Colonel Parker.
Lastly, less than a year before Elvis died he was in Louisville Kentucky and was in terrible "condition". He should have been taken to the Hospital. Colonel Parker, having heard about this, went to Elvis' Hotel Room (which was RARE and occured perhaps once every other year) and told Larry Geller and everyone else in the room "THIS CHANGES NOTHING. GET HIM ON STAGE TONIGHT!".

Now some good:
He successfully managed Elvis' career through 1973.
He ensured that Elvis was the HIGHEST PAID Entertainer in the World.
He PROTECTED Elvis from all of the "drama" dealing with the "business side" and allowed Elvis to perform and have his friends (i.e. Memphis Mafia) around.
He "allowed" the 1968 Comeback to be "Elvis Onstage" instead of a Christmas Special after much drama/debate.
He provided Elvis with the "best of the best" as it pertains to backup singers and quality of materials (from recording to concert venues).
Even though many of Elvis' movie roles were "less than fulfilling" he gave the public what they wanted and the gross movie receipts spoke LOUD AND CLEAR. If Elvis played the loveable single type, who sang between 5 and 10 songs per movie, the movie made MILLIONS. The serious "non-singing" movies, which many were good/decent pictures, made a FRACTION of the receipts (which Elvis received a percentage of the profits made per picture which was UNHEARD of before Colonel negotiated it).
His relationship with RCA afforded Elvis "protection" from some of Elvis' personal shortcomings that got worse from 1974 until 1977.
He loved Elvis but his greed, and his gambling addiction, blinded him.
Lastly, in the mid 1980's I had several "face to face" conversations with Colonel Parker (and the fact that I provided him with his FAVORITE box of cigars for his birthday helped) lasting between 5-15 minutes. He admitted that he made mistakes and he seemed sincere. He admitted that being an ILLEGAL "bothered him" and he thought that by being in the Military (which he did) his only "chance" at success was by coming to the United States. There is no doubt that he was "successful" in negotiations and finding talent.

In summary, I think that Elvis needed Colonel Parker and Colonel Parker needed Elvis. Elvis had a BRILLIANT MIND and he was incredibly smart and could "read" a person after meeting them for a few minutes. Elvis got into several heated arguments with Colonel Parker, and threatened to fire him, but Colonel Parker always kept a "running total" of moneys he said that Elvis owed him (and in fact the Colonel kept Elvis from MILLIONS) and Elvis never "pulled the trigger". I think they loved each other as well. I know they both had their flaws and some of them were...MAJOR. I guess the "lesson" of Elvis and his relationship with the Colonel is that "money is not everything" and it can and DOES take a real toll on (in this case) Elvis and it cost him his life. If you look at Elvis in 1973 (Aloha from Havaii) and then look at him on the CBS Special (Last Concert) which aired in October of 1977 the "differences" in appearance is...freightening. Elvis' voice sounded INCREDIBLE during that Concert if you just listen to the music and don't watch the video. In those 4 years Elvis "aged"...a lifetime. I believe that Colonel Parker COULD and should have known that his "greed/excess" was costing Elvis and should have make changes that benefited them both...and (sadly) he did not. Thus, in that respect he failed Elvis and that is one "lesson" that (for me) is very hard to understand/accept even these 30+ years after Elvis' death.

I hope that this answers your question and thanks again.
Take care and God bless.
Jeff Schrembs
www.ElvisCollector.info
www.ElvisCollectorWorld.com
ElvisCollectorWorldwide

Jeff Schrembs, Elvis Presley Expert/Collector Worldwide

In response to the question about Colonel Parker my response is:

Thank you for the question.
And thinking about Colonel Parker brings up many, many, mixed emotions.
Lets start with the "negative" ones first.
Colonel Parker was an ILLEGAL ALIEN who should have applied for Citizenship.
Colonel Parker had Vernon Presley sign, under duress and during Elvis' Funeral, documents that allowed him to personally collect 75% commission AND did not require him to disclose all of the moneys he was collecting through "side deals" and souveniers.
Colonel Parker sold Elvis' entire "recording library" to RCA, in the mid 70's, for less than 10% of what it was worth.
Colonel Parker ALWAYS put the "fear of God" into Elvis about the IRS. I believe the reason for that was that Colonel Parker was an ILLEGAL ALIEN and had no legitimate SS# and feared he would be caught. Therefore Elvis SUFFERED as (a) he was in a NINETY PERCENT TAX BRACKET (for many years) for Federal Income Taxes (b) each and every year since 1956 Elvis paid the HIGHEST PERCENTAGE of Federal Income Taxes and (c) Elvis NEVER set up or claimed ALL of the "allowable deductions" that he otherwise would be eligible for. In fact, each year Elvis (with the "blessing of COlonel Parker") sent his tax returns into the IRS and said "tell me what I owe you".
Colonel Parker made MILLIONS of dollars in CASH selling, and charging the vendors, for Elvis items (i.e. photos, dogs, stuffed animals, jewerly, etc.) in Las Vegas and during Concerts. He did give Elvis a SMALL PERCENTAGE but Elvis was cheated out of MILLIONS of dollars.
Colomel Parker turned down MILLIONS of DOLLARs, that were offered for Elvis to play a few concerts out of the Country, under the guise of "they don't have the concert venues" or "we can't get the equipment permits to set up" or "whatever else". In fact (again) I believe that Colonel Parker was AFFRAID that somehow/someway the fact that he was NOT legally named "Colonel Parker" or "Parker" and he was an ILLEGAL ALIEN and NOT a US Citizen would have come out and destroyed him. So, Elvis (in order to meet his monetary obligations) had to play Las Vegas "two shows a night 7 days a week" AND travel a few hundred days a year from 1971 through 1977. These shows, the stress, and the traveling had a NEGATIVE IMPACT on Elvis and I believe cost him his health and never allowed him to...recover and to get off the mediciations he was taking (in excess and otherwise).
Colonel Parker, even after Vernon Presley died, dragged out the Court Proceedings (against him filed by Priscilla on behalf of Elvis' Estate) and caused the case to be "settled" for a fraction of what Elvis Estate was entitled to. It was a TRAGIC "salt in the wound" manuever by Colonel Parker.
Lastly, less than a year before Elvis died he was in Louisville Kentucky and was in terrible "condition". He should have been taken to the Hospital. Colonel Parker, having heard about this, went to Elvis' Hotel Room (which was RARE and occured perhaps once every other year) and told Larry Geller and everyone else in the room "THIS CHANGES NOTHING. GET HIM ON STAGE TONIGHT!".

Now some good:
He successfully managed Elvis' career through 1973.
He ensured that Elvis was the HIGHEST PAID Entertainer in the World.
He PROTECTED Elvis from all of the "drama" dealing with the "business side" and allowed Elvis to perform and have his friends (i.e. Memphis Mafia) around.
He "allowed" the 1968 Comeback to be "Elvis Onstage" instead of a Christmas Special after much drama/debate.
He provided Elvis with the "best of the best" as it pertains to backup singers and quality of materials (from recording to concert venues).
Even though many of Elvis' movie roles were "less than fulfilling" he gave the public what they wanted and the gross movie receipts spoke LOUD AND CLEAR. If Elvis played the loveable single type, who sang between 5 and 10 songs per movie, the movie made MILLIONS. The serious "non-singing" movies, which many were good/decent pictures, made a FRACTION of the receipts (which Elvis received a percentage of the profits made per picture which was UNHEARD of before Colonel negotiated it).
His relationship with RCA afforded Elvis "protection" from some of Elvis' personal shortcomings that got worse from 1974 until 1977.
He loved Elvis but his greed, and his gambling addiction, blinded him.
Lastly, in the mid 1980's I had several "face to face" conversations with Colonel Parker (and the fact that I provided him with his FAVORITE box of cigars for his birthday helped) lasting between 5-15 minutes. He admitted that he made mistakes and he seemed sincere. He admitted that being an ILLEGAL "bothered him" and he thought that by being in the Military (which he did) his only "chance" at success was by coming to the United States. There is no doubt that he was "successful" in negotiations and finding talent.

In summary, I think that Elvis needed Colonel Parker and Colonel Parker needed Elvis. Elvis had a BRILLIANT MIND and he was incredibly smart and could "read" a person after meeting them for a few minutes. Elvis got into several heated arguments with Colonel Parker, and threatened to fire him, but Colonel Parker always kept a "running total" of moneys he said that Elvis owed him (and in fact the Colonel kept Elvis from MILLIONS) and Elvis never "pulled the trigger". I think they loved each other as well. I know they both had their flaws and some of them were...MAJOR. I guess the "lesson" of Elvis and his relationship with the Colonel is that "money is not everything" and it can and DOES take a real toll on (in this case) Elvis and it cost him his life. If you look at Elvis in 1973 (Aloha from Havaii) and then look at him on the CBS Special (Last Concert) which aired in October of 1977 the "differences" in appearance is...freightening. Elvis' voice sounded INCREDIBLE during that Concert if you just listen to the music and don't watch the video. In those 4 years Elvis "aged"...a lifetime. I believe that Colonel Parker COULD and should have known that his "greed/excess" was costing Elvis and should have make changes that benefited them both...and (sadly) he did not. Thus, in that respect he failed Elvis and that is one "lesson" that (for me) is very hard to understand/accept even these 30+ years after Elvis' death.

I hope that this answers your question and thanks again.
Take care and God bless.
Jeff Schrembs
www.ElvisCollector.info
www.ElvisCollectorWorld.com
ElvisCollectorWorldwide

Jeff Schrembs, Elvis Presley Expert/Collector Worldwide

Thank you again jeff for that very indepth and interesting answere, I recall about 30 years ago reading an article saying that colonel parker said he could create another Elvis if he wished, I wonder if he tried?

G-d bless you too sir.