Colonel Tom Parker
Colonel Tom Parker and 20-year old Elvis in 1955

Did you know that Elvis Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker (1909-1997) was born in the Netherlands? In 1927, at the age of 18, he emigrated illegally to the USA and became Elvis’ impressario in 1955.

For years Colonel Tom lied about his background and claimed to be from West Viriginia, until his Dutch family saw a picture of him standing next to Elvis.