Why Elvis never appeared on "The Dick Clark Show"
or any of the teen bandstands Colonel Tom Parker never gave a lot of
creedence to Dick Clark's shows, the daytime Bandstand or Saturday Night
show, despite their incredible popularity. Aside they were prime access, but
not prime time in major markets, the managing (ruling) Colonel took
into account that you would have to multiply Clark's television audience
by twenty to equal Ed Sullivan's then national audience. While Elvis would
likely be willing to do Clark's show, Parker would never permit it.
Network prime time variety shows were the mainstay, No late night,
no morning shows.
DISCUSS YOUR FAVORITE ELVIS ENDEARMENTS
The Colonel ruled movie roles. Elvis was offered better roles in
better movies than the critic panned "Las Vegas," for example.
It wasn't until Elvis rebelled (sort of) that Parker allowed him
to appear with Mary Tyler Moore in "Change Of Habit." Elvis' manager
was controlling and a tyrant, but as The King made more and more money
for RCA Records and bookers The William Morris Agency (later, ICM),
they controlled more of Elvis' career and Parker's influence dwindled
until he sold out the personal management contract.
By the time Elvis made "Suspicious Minds," the session in late '69
and the release in early '70, he was his own man in terms of career path.
The King of Rock and Roll.
The King Once & For All The British Invasion made things rough for the established
American rock and roll performers. The styles went "mod" and even American made movies
had, even if unintentional, British accents. Doo Wop street corner harmony went by
the wayside. Petula Clark nudged Connie Francis out of the box. The Beatles, Dave Clark Five,
Stones, Turtles, Kinks, Animals et al seemed to do the same to all American rock acts.
Bell bottoms replaced penny loafers, miniskirts ended the leg mystique of poodle skirts
and A-lines, Sonny and Cher's bangs replaced Bill Haley's spit curl. And all was not
well with Elvis. "Kentucky Rain," "Burning Love," "In The Ghetto" were top 20 hits,
but not the boffo #1 hits RCA was used to pre-Beatle time.
Elvis almost became a recluse at Graceland. Rodney Zambon would change that. Once
Elvis got a hold of Rod's "Suspicious Mind" and cut the tune at RCA in the
fall of 1969, the Mark James produced cut zoomed to number one on the
national and international charts, reminding the world once again that
Elvis Presley was, is and always will be the true King of Rock & Roll. Period. Amen.
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