On January 1, 1967, a new contract between 'Colonel'
Tom Parker and his sole client, Elvis Presley, gave
Parker a 50 per cent cut of royalties and profits that
Presely generated. It was an unashamed grab for a bigger
piece of a pie that had actually been shrinking for some
time. Parker's plan to re-establish Presley as a star
after he left the army in 1960 had been successful at
first, with the success of films like ''G.I. Blues'' and
''Blue Hawaii'' and their soundtracks. But as the decade
progressed the films became formulaic, the music bland,
and sales declined. By 1967 Presley's singles struggled
to break the top 20, and he hadn't had a number one for
six years. Yet by the end of 1968 he was artistically
revitalized, re-emerging in a TV comeback special of
December that year slimmed down for the now iconic black
leather suit, playing country-soul influenced rock like
he meant it and loved it. It was the pivotal moment of
the second great period of Presley's career, which
lasted through to the end of 1970, during which he
recorded some of his most enduring records, including
''Suspicious Minds'' and ''In The Ghetto''.In ''Return
Of The King'' author Gillian Gaar shows how Presley
reclaimed his crown, making an extraordinary transition
from fading MoR balladeer to engaged, vital
artist. |
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