Article: Col. Tom Parker Dies at 87; Was Elvis Presley's Manager

Col. Tom Parker, 87, a onetime carnival pitchman who shrewdly guided singer-actor Elvis Presley's career for 22 years, died here Jan. 21 after a stroke.

He became Presley's manager in 1955 just as the young Memphis truck driver was breaking onto the national scene as a rock-and-roll sensation. Col. Parker stayed in the position until "the King of Rock 'n' Roll" died Aug. 16, 1977.

Col. Parker was credited with getting Presley a $35,000 recording contract with RCA Victor in the mid-1950s when Sam Phillips of Sun Records in Memphis decided to sell Presley's contract. Col. Parker also arranged Presley's early television appearances, including three on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956 and ...

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