Gates of Graceland - Greg McDonald, Charles Stone on Elvis' Manager, Col. Tom Parker

In this episode of Gates of Graceland, learn more about Elvis' relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Host Tom Brown chats with Charles Stone and Greg McDonald, who worked with Parker and Elvis, and the guys share their memories of working with the two men.
Charles and Greg recall meeting Elvis and discuss Col. Parker's reputation and how he handled Elvis' career.
The Gates of Graceland web series covers everything Elvis - go to Graceland.com to watch episodes about hidden Graceland, Elvis' cars, Elvis' movie career, Elvis' book and record collections and much more.

[@user-bk5vi4bf7r]

There is noone like elvis and never will be

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

and not even bob joyce can match him !!

[@BrendaBooher-hw4mf]

Parker just thought that the 68 Comeback Special was going to be a Christmas special. Don't get me wrong, Elvis loved Christmas but Elvis knew what he needed at the time. The 68 Comeback Special reintroduced Elvis to the world and proved that Elvis could still do it and still do it better than anyone else.

[@debee6343]

Best quote ever by one of the Stanley brothers when col parker said he made Elvis. Parker: I made Elvis. Stanley: well if that’s true why don’t you make yourself another one.

[@gracieg7601]

EXACTLY

[@rustyruss2962]

Yes sir u got that Rite ⚡️⚡️TCB ⚡️⚡️

[@theperkinsbrothers]

Many people don't know this but Colonel Parker did make other stars before he had Elvis he managed many events for the Grand Ole Opry Stars Penny picked up Eddie Arnold and took Eddie Arnold to the number one act when Eddy Arnold and he broke up he picked up another country star and took them to the number one position that person made the mistake of telling the colonel he had to go see this little kid down on the Louisiana hayride and maybe they could both go in together on his act LOL well of course the colonel loved Elvis and took him over got him paid more for everything he did than anybody else made him the biggest star in the world and we still love him today it really was partnership. You had to have Sam Phillips. You had to have the country star telling Colonel about Elvis. You had to have Colonel Park ER. Now was Elvis talented absolutely. He rose to ever occasion. You need a TV special his were awesome you need a recording artist he was incredible you need a movie star he was incredible. I'm just glad they all came together and we got to know that little kid from tupelo

[@82566]

Ouch lol

[@thereseleskinen60]

Gaffel

[@inaf1079]

The Colonel didn't negotiate for Elvis, he negotiated for himself.

[@lilliangilbert4252]

Well said, we put him in the singing movies cuz we liked them I mean I was born in Feb, 1957, so, the USA PEOPLE HIS FANS DID.

[@4paws4us]

Exactly

[@James.G.Ireland]

@@lilliangilbert4252 no elvis made a choice to sign these contracts and do these movies that's not on the fans or Parker

[@deerheart87]

Well most agents do that to be honest

[@BrendaBooher-hw4mf]

I agree. Elvis did what he wanted to.

[@davidcross701]

Like how Greg tells the story of the filter. It had such an impact on him, when telling the story, he's face one can notice like it was yesterday! I bet Elvis was so amazing and down to Earth. Rest in peace Elvis... You are missed.

[@davidcross701]

Very informative about the Colonel . I've change my views on him. Great man.

[@rachaelmagerl4836]

I'm so addicted to these videos!

[@lisaneese9401]

Rachael Magerl I'm addicted to you sweetie!!

[@1SexyIcePrincess]

Rachael Mageri ... me too

[@dougg1075]

Me three

[@SDS-ee9js]

Rachael Magerl same

[@gracieg7601]

I love these videos too. I particularly love to hear the stories this guy charles stone says. He’s so funny! He has the best stories.

[@bonniebrown6960]

I love hearing about all this . Anything related to Elvis is always interesting to me as long as it's the truth and not a bunch of made non since about Elvis and the Elvis world . There is a lot of history about him that's for sure .Thanks for sharing this. Great video !!

[@82566]

Me too ,iam just learning more of Elvis myself

[@cut1986]

Have been a life long Elvis fan and have never heard of these two men or ever heard of them being mentioned by anyone who knew Elvis.

[@pfeilsusan]

The Beatles story is off as well.

[@sandralybrand9407]

I have!

[@cut1986]

@@sandralybrand9407 Where at?

[@annp.whitaker4091]

The words 'jump' and 'bandwagon' spring to mind.

[@Patracat]

They worked in the background of Elvis' career. Not for him, but for the Colonel, so nobody - media or fans would be interested in them.

[@kelsiweaver5140]

Please do more Gates of Graceland videos soon! They always make my day :)

[@RADIUMGLASS]

The Colonel had the skills of a manager, he could negotiate but his gambling overshadowed his business skills, which he did have.

[@delorisjones7729]

Yes, he work Elvis way to hard.

[@jacquelinekleinsorge5973]

@@delorisjones7729 :

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

parker did not understand the needs of his artist , he was a Carny , he knew nothing of how to manage only to go out there and find the venues , had elvis doing films he was not happy doing elvis suffered creative disappointment that contributed to his death !!!

[@lindacorreia428]

I love these videos, I get to go to Graceland, I know I never will get there too many miles, so I do appreciate them, because I do love Elvis and everything Elvis !!!!!

[@jonburrows2684]

It's something else Linda. Went in 2011. Wanna go back and if I do, I'll take you with me

[@lindacorreia428]

@@jonburrows2684 I actually got to go to Graceland in 2018, My daughter and Son in law said we need to go and fulfill my Bucket list lol, no words to express how Beautiful Graceland is and To Have Walked Where The King Of Entertainment Walked! I live in Hawaii so it was a Trek getting there, and thought I never would, but once is not enough, I want to back again lol ! Your offer made my Day ! As The King Would Say, Thank You Very Much !

[@jonburrows2684]

@@lindacorreia428 so when are you gonna offer me to come and stay a year with y'all in Hawaii?

[@jonburrows2684]

@@lindacorreia428 now I'm gonna be lying here with Linda on my mind all night

[@lilliangilbert4252]

I hope you can make it to GRACELAND!

[@jeffwpope]

These Gates of Graceland videos are all amazing! Keep up the stellar work!!!

[@MichelGagnon]

Thank' s to share so many good moments with the King. Always a pleasure to watch your program about Elvis and his friend' s and family.

[@Rizzlyricist]

Colonel Parker owning 50% of Elvis' life is insane to me. One of many reasons why I would never pen a contract for any kind of 360 deal. No thank you.

[@dhaley8847]

the beatles fell apart when their manager died, A great manager is essential for the success of an artist

[@memphismaverick100]

Awesome Palm Springs footage !

[@sebastianschanel1970]

Hey do the jewelry collection of Elvis.!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@lindaweinstein4846]

Thank you for sharing gentlemen ! All so interesting too about the Colonel ! I can’t get enough 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️

[@morenaarizona1136]

Awesome interview!..thank you😉

[@heatherlomaxmusic4776]

Great point about we being the ones who ultimately prevented Elvis from doing more dramatic roles...

[@sgtpepr6260]

One correction, the beatles break up was announced in 1970 (April 10) so the Elvis comback 68 special had nothing to do with the Beatles break up.

[@pfeilsusan]

I've been a life long Beatles fan and read over 100 books, I don't ever remember hearing about Beatles wanting Parker. I have heard there were several management companies wanting to buyout Elvis to rid Parker...interesting.

[@lilliangilbert4252]

That shows you, never believe what you don't hear from the correct mouth.

[@theresachiorazzi4571]

Elvis owed nobody anything but the entertainment he gave you and you got your moneys worth. His personal life was his own you live to learn by mistakes. We all make them. Let him rest in peace.

[@rachaelleight4612]

Loved this interview.

[@karenkoontz581]

Awesome.

[@maried7776]

That Colonel Parker was a carnival guy. He was taking 50% from Elvis, even after he passed, from the estate, until a judge put an end to that. He just used Elvis! Most people in entertainment aren't business savvy, that's why they all get taken and end up broke or near broke.

[@Solley2010]

That side show carnival shyster only cared about 1 thing .. and that was himself !!

[@elvisfangirl9093]

If the colonel got Elvis $750,000 then the colonel took half!!

[@shigsho]

Only on merchandise.

[@amywilkins543]

He took half of EVERYTHING!!!

[@amywilkins543]

Absolutely!!!

[@Patracat]

Well he worked for it.

[@paulshields2426]

@@Patracatyes. His arm worked hard bending on the gambling table.

[@milicadjukich4416]

Enjoy it very much, keep it up! You show the truth about Graceland and Elvis!

[@robertscott5937]

Why didn't you say something about the 50% that Parker was getting for Elvis and all backhanded stuff Parker did after Elvis died

[@justdea5757]

WOW..theses guys must have amnesia! It's sad that they are trying to re-write history. The fans know the truth though. And if Elvis did the "Comeback Special" the way Parker wanted him to do it probably would not been as good as it was...A Christmas Special really? which BTW...Elvis hated that title. With regards to Elvis making the type of movies HE wanted to do...there came a point that Elvis didn't care about THE MONEY he wanted to be happy! I understand that Elvis spent a lot of money and didn't have much as he should have when he died but I believe if Elvis fired him and got another manager Elvis would have possibly;y changed his lifestyle. Elvis made it on his own and did not need Parker to promote him! Parker was a crook! BUT...with this said...Elvis was passive-aggressive and he was a grown man and also very intelligent so he should have had the courage or learned how to develop the courage to stand up to Parker!

[@shigsho]

Their memories are fine.

[@gracieg7601]

Yes. I mean how hard could it have been to book Elvis? Elvis was so cool. Nancy Sinatra wanted to manage Elvis.

[@sandybarr684]

Well said justDea

[@crystalhanson1483]

It's PRETTY "B A D", when Elvis had to install TV cameras all around the house so he could SEE and HEAR what those blood-sucking-leaches were saying about him :( :( :( He was FORCED to live in his bedroom :( :( :(

[@normplatt7549]

Thanks for shareing!

[@ColeSonMusic]

great video. thanks

[@williesmall3855]

That was great

[@myusetoob]

Colonel Parker used Elvis bigtime. Sad.

[@robertjosan]

That’s a bunch of B.S those more serious roles didn’t have the “right” combination of great script, director, and co-star, The opportunity with Barbara Streisand was the “right” combination that could have changed Elvis’s acting career. Parker was too concerned with short term $$$ to risk greater longterm opportunity

[@gracieg7601]

Robert Josan ROBERT MITCHUM showed up at the international hotel at Elvis suite with a script in hand offering a roll in a movie with him. Elvis was so booked up with those junk movies so Elvis couidnt do it. But Mitchum saw that Elvis had the talent to actually to do a serious roll.

[@margarettaylor8107]

Elvis would have had the starring role when he was the one who was the big draw.I do not think Elvis would have gotten aling with her.I cannot stand her or her singing..no style..just sings with no heart.

[@stephenhopkins9541]

Very interesting segment.

[@lindareece370]

Than you for sharing! Love your videos. ❤️

[@pfkraak]

The colonel wasn't a genius, he had to sell Elvis, the easiest job in the world!

[@jaimiexxo]

good point

[@skipsassy1]

And only if General Lee had done this or that......20/20 is easy.

[@shigsho]

Without Col Parker Elvis would not have been the star he was. They were a GREAT team.

[@hazelevans1971]

shigsho Elvis Presley would have definitely been a star he was born to be. a star no matter what

[@icanfartloud]

@@shigsho Umm, Elvis had to start closing the Louisiana Hayride shows because audiences were leaving after his set. That was before Parker was managing

[@Longhorn-s7z]

It's a dog eat dog world and Parker understood he needed to be top dog to survive. May not be fair but it's real life and Elvis accepted it. End of story. Great video once again!

[@ovh992]

Great interview!

[@pacerburton625]

Tom fantastic,,esp and i agree ''flaming star and wild in the country'' perspective

[@MaaikevanBroekhovenIBCLC]

Always nice people talking about Elvis.

[@renatobarbieri717]

You are the best thank you ❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@chrisrose5740]

Fascinating!!!

[@larrypancake1]

Thanks for this channel

[@gussygatlin3093]

What The colonel knew, was who he could manipulate!!! If he couldn't... you were gone!!! He lied to Elvis about why they couldn't go out of the country to tour among other things...

[@dougg1075]

Not according to his secretary, who was awesome.

[@sweetness00734]

Craig Willis because the Colonel was already in the United States illegally and he knew he couldn’t get a Visa or whatever so he kept Elvis here this is documented

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

@Craig Willis Because parker was not an american he was a con man he was a dutchman , parker wasn't even his name he took that from someone he knew he had no passport if he left america he would not have got back in , thats why elvis couldn't go where he wanted where he dreamed of going

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

@Craig Willis he would never have done that as he didn't want elvis out of his sight he controlled everything elvis did

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

@Christopher W. Petro "Went to London "!!? you got that wrong he NEVER cant to the UK EVER !!! How could parker let him do shows outside America !? he may not have been with him on the road in the states cos he was in the same country if he needed to get to him he could , send elvis alone to Europe and how could he follow him with no passport he would never have got a visa

[@brojamesg1781]

Parker looked after his own interests

[@Lacey87B]

Why did they ever take out the original carpet? They should've left it EXACTLY like it was.

[@1SexyIcePrincess]

Agreed

[@garbage854]

Good video :)

[@slimcoogan3277]

Another way to view it is, when Elvis woke that morning Tom Parker had made 375K

[@BrianJohnson-cj8xf]

I find these very informative .. always great info shared and very enlightening ... keeps up the great work !!!

[@mjanovec]

I think Mr. McDonald and Mr. Stone have some jumbled memories that really don't mesh with the truth. The Beatles announced their split in 1970. Elvis had his comeback special in 1968 and starting playing Vegas in 1969. Therefore Elvis didn't wait for The Beatles to split before mounting his live comeback. As for The Beatles and Sinatra asking Parker to manage them... only in the Colonel's dreams.

[@annamariafacchiano1688]

Majonovec, even if it was true the Beatles and Sinatra would fire him after a week.

[@jurgen-fritz]

Thank you for clearing that up!

[@jamesthackeray5422]

They are talking shut!👍

[@ata5855]

I think it was after The Beatles announced they weren't going to do any more live appearances.

[@robbiejenkins4379]

I like Gates Of Graceland

[@margarettaylor8107]

Another reason, according to Elvis, is that movie roles at that time were going to rugged looking men like Tele Sevales and harles Bronson etc.Elvis said he was told he was too pretty to play these tough roles.He said the movie roles were not there for his type of look. He widshed he had a scar so he could get the roles.

[@sissy20088]

First, I loved Flaming Star.I have a Pomeranian named Pacer. Next there are plenty of dramatic movies with singing. I can't believe no one would finance a non singing Elvis movie. Plus there were a lot of his, after the military, movies that were terrible. When I saw Harum Scarum every time he started singing people would laugh. Hal Wallis wanted to give Elvis the star treatment where they would put the actor in movies that would progress from simple pictures to top pictures as their acting ability improved. Parker wanted non of that. He wanted Elvis in low budget high return movies. I think Wallis said that no one would finance a non singing movie to please Parker.

[@crystalhanson1483]

Hal Wallis had the writers to John Wayne's Movie "TRUE GRIT". The writers wrote the part of the Texas Ranger for Elvis, as the character Elvis played in Charro. [me LAUGHING] Hal Wallis had a few "W O R D S" to say about the Memphis Mafia! Wikipedia under Movie True Grit and on back of DVD. parker's EXCUSES: Elvis does ONLY 3 MOVIES per-year; Change of Habit was third! Elvis is always the STAR, John Wayne was the Star in the movie.

[@lilliangilbert4252]

So, well said.

[@ricardovandervegt9834]

wow

[@littlemissnurseynurse1583]

The carpets were RED in 1976..he must be remembering wrong.

[@RADIUMGLASS]

Linda Thompson redecorated in 1975. She brought in the red theme.

[@pfeilsusan]

They also weren't at the Honeymoon house changing filters. That would have been the other Palm Springs home.

[@mariaalicedufner2382]

Amar-te-ei sempre 🇧🇷💔

[@lisalasoya2898]

Miraculously, It was on page 92 said the colonel to Elvis. Often reviled in his time, guided Elvis Presley's career from his star client's earliest days, shedding other responsibilities to represent only one artist-The most promising talent he had ever seen. Mr. Presley had his moments, he struck me as a relative of: The shawshank redemption's Gil who was diety, all-and-all this talent came up in the rock of fame, weee....MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021 ORDERS IN PENDING CASES 20M62 LOPEZ, ARTHUR V. SUPERIOR COURT OF CA, ET AL. The motion to direct the Clerk to file a petition for a writ of ....

[@ronbanks9587]

Interview Billy and Jo Smith!

[@mariaalicedufner2382]

Por favor traduzir em português as entrevistas! 🇧🇷💔

[@jamesgist8582]

if it was a real hot item...that time has come and gone. Elvis has left the desert.

[@baq8680]

Super!

[@greta9599]

The Colonel had only his interests in mind. Why would he not let Elvis play overseas? Why did Parker take 50%? Elvis would've been a star regardless of who managed him, in my opinion. I feel like these guys are maybe exaggerating the wonders of the Colonel, but then again, I wasn't there. I just have my opinions.

[@annabellegalvan8504]

Maybe they are talking favorable about the Colonel to promote the movie coming out about him.

[@TheSpitmitt]

Really great job on this fascinating video. Thank you.

[@brit-in-czech]

I wish Greg had of answered Tom's question better: The Colonel told him he would never set foot in Graceland again. But why and when did the Colonel tell him this?

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

Gracelands is NOT the colonel's home so he doesn't have the right to say who can and can't enter into Elvis's home

[@randymccalla9995]

Does anyone know the first name, of the McCalla kid he used to hang around with, Floyd?

[@130world1]

you would see the same pre-hd quality only revisited

[@morenaarizona1136]

There's a lot of people hateing ..ok..but Elvis didn't fall in to Hollywood stereotypes.he stayed true to him self .humble had his family and Real Friend's..Elvis destroyed him self..there no one else to blame and it started in Germany..not back home.😉

[@annamariafacchiano1688]

Sinatra was lucky, Parker would ha destroyed also his career..Surely he worked only for Elvis,,how could he do his deceits with other singers less naif and generous than Elvis? I can imagine what a smart business man as Michael Jackson would have done with the Colonel, he would have fired him as soon as he had looked at him. He did not hesitate to fire for a while even Quincy Jones..." Parker wanted it understood that he was the man who called the shots , and any access to Elvis would have to go through him"(A; Nash from 'The Colonel').

[@rustyruss2962]

Charles Stone interesting Man TCB ⚡️⚡️

[@James.G.Ireland]

Parker was never his manager. Parker and Elvis were business partners and then Parker was his promoter who sent Elvis into stardom he would never have had.

[@dgathome4345]

Stationery is the paper. Stationary is not moving.

[@concepciongallo229]

Periodismo no entiendo inglés traducir español gracias

[@ronniejoe69]

The colonel ripped him off. He helped him in the beginning but hurt him later.

[@edgardodominguez6873]

Tom Parker Malo

[@durwinpocha2488]

when you like Elvis,

[@estevejame7398]

Parker a great promoter but he had the genius of Elvis to work with... you don't hear much of the Colonel's earlier acts he managed... Parker is well overrated.... one of the first things he did on hearing of Elvis' death was visit RCA to encourage printing more records... a promoter great but as a person he was tolerated but widely disliked.

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

$$$$$$ were parkers driving force , people think he was looking out for elvis , when really he was looking after his pocket !!

[@marisascasserra3897]

Bellissimo ma potete mettere o sottotitoli in italiano? Grazie

[@Bellbell01137]

How come sometimes there’s a black piano, and sometimes a white piano?

[@gussygatlin3093]

I see that TCB necklace... let's Really Take Care Of Business And Tell The Truth!!!

[@BluesBoy-ij2rb]

I heard the Colonial made 50% of everything Elvis made , equal partner in everything !!!!!!!........................ Erik

[@gussygatlin3093]

Elvis made the mistake of telling the world he barely made it through school.. there are plenty of vulchors around him!

[@MsBonijoni]

The Colonel was no doubt a very shrewd business partner. If he had air to sell to the general public, it would’ve been an instant sell out-

[@kimmiejo45]

Then why did Col Parker deny Elvis the Stat is Born??

[@kevindaniels8007]

Why didn't you ask about touring over seas

[@roymarksberry4152]

I'm thinking by the back to Elvis if they had the opportunity the put him in the movie they were to finance the movie guarantee it up without all the demands that colonel wanted no copyright deals maybe not but they would Finance in Elvis movie

[@mariadolce951]

The colonel was a crook and when ELVIS was totally exhausted he still made him work to his his death 😡😡😡😡

[@murielmartin3288]

Elvis does not look happy with the colonel

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

And he wasn't many a time

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

he never was

[@diankreczmer6595]

Which is why the colonel took 50% commission, they were partners

[@stelvis7413]

The two biggest tragedies in Rock & Roll were the death of Buddy Holly & the mismanagement of Elvis Presley. With all due respect to Charles & Greg, Parker was a huckster. And Tom Brown needs a shave.

[@alicefulmer601]

Why with all due respect to those two fakes

[@bronsonosborne3962]

PARKER MADE ELVIS WHO HE WAS AND IT STILL SHOWS TODAY EVERYONE STILL LISTENS TO HIS MUSIC AND TALKS ABOUT HIM THATS A FACT YOU CANT DENY THAT

[@gregamerson9172]

@@bronsonosborne3962 they listening to his music because of parker ya damn ignoramus

[@dhaley8847]

he didnt sing within the movie Charro! he only did the tittle song

[@annabellegalvan8504]

I loved that movie because he got to act more and not sing every other commercials we see that take up 6 to 8 minutes before you get to see your program again.

[@GETole]

Parker loved that Elvis drew $$. He was a leech and not a nice person. $$ was first, Elvis was second.

[@supersonicsroots]

The fact that Elvis did the 68 Comeback after The Beatles announced their breakup is utter bullshit. The Beatles announce their breakup in 1970. They released 3 awesome albums in 1968 (White Album), 1969 (Abbey Road) en 1970 (Let It Be). Greg should've gotten his facts straight. Elvis' movie contract ended and that's why he could do this live TV show in 1968 and start performing again in 1969. That didn't have anything to do with The Beatles whatsoever.

[@plmillerda]

interesting.. who knows the truth? we will never know the whole truth.

[@sweetness00734]

So the colonel didn’t want anything to do with the Beatles lol the Beatles were not from the United States so the Colonel would have had to of left America which he was already in America illegally that’s why Elvis never toured outside the United States he wanted to badly but Colonel wouldn’t let him.

[@Tam5115]

Nice revisionist history there. The Beatles broke up in 1970! The Singer special, (comeback) was 1968. Mr Wallis and his opinion on, no movies where he didn't sing. Excuse me, the movie Elvis really wanted to do, A Star Is Born, with Barbra Streisand, he would have sang. I do believe that because Barbra had top billing, the colonel said no. Parker continued to behave as though Elvis still had the power he did in '56 and a few years later. Same goes for the insistence that writers give him writers credit on songs he did. IMO, the colonel is responsible. No world tours because Parker was illegal (not that anyone but him knew that) His carny huckster behavior was tacky. He stifled Elvis' creativity, artistry and ability. Elvis was not allowed to grow, to try new roads he wanted to. Elvis, IMO, had the talent to be a great actor, but was forced to do the same formula movies over and over. You can see his talent in Jailhouse Rock and King Creole. Elvis had nothing to challenge himself with because he wasn't allowed to. Why not take as many drugs as he could get? It was probably the only time he felt good. The other fact is that the colonel completely ripped him off! No manager in history deserved the percentage he was getting out of Elvis!

[@annamariafacchiano1688]

Right, right, right, Tammy Nel!son

[@MrmaruC]

Yes as I previously stated he used n abused elvis for himself only..so true..

[@roymarksberry4152]

I heard the colonel treated these guys very badly

[@dianemorris3536]

The Colonel couldn't manage anyone else because he couldn't leave the country.