elvis tour europe

The Real Reason Why Elvis Never Toured Outside America

Elvis performed concerts in the US and Canada, but he never went international — and fans think they know why.

Elvis Presley’s life remains one of the world’s most captivating and heartbreaking stories. Though it all looked perfect from the outside, Elvis suffered from drug addiction and health problems, and was grossly mismanaged and taken advantaged of by the people around him. In fact, some fans even argue that he was cursed .

Despite being arguably the world’s most famous and beloved star, Elvis never performed outside North America. He did leave the United States for military service in Germany in his early 20s, and he did perform a selection of shows across the border in Canada. But he never toured internationally.

Given his popularity and the demand for him to perform outside of America, fans believe that there must have been some pressing reason stopping Elvis from leaving U.S. soil.

For decades since his 1977 death, rumors have circulated that Elvis had a fear of flying which kept him from touring overseas. And as it turns out, sources have confirmed that he did have negative feelings towards flying, at least early on in his career. But was this the reason he never toured abroad?

Was Elvis Afraid Of Flying?

According to Magic , Elvis’s fear of flying started in 1956 , when the flight he was taking from Amarillo to Nashville had engine trouble and had to make an emergency landing.

His ex-wife Priscilla confirmed the rumors to Larry King, saying, “He had a fear of flying, and his mother didn't really want him flying either. So he stopped for a while."

RELATED Priscilla Presley On How Elvis Would Have Reacted To The New Biopic

However, some fans have pointed out that Elvis did make frequent domestic flights. He even had his own plane named after his daughter Lisa-Marie.

Those that believe in the fear of flying theory argue that he became more spiritual after the death of his mother and looked at dying as a form of passing over to another life. Others say he naturally got over the fear, while some are convinced Elvis was never afraid to fly.

Whether he had a fear of flying or not, it appears there may have been another, more sinister reason why Elvis never left the country to tour.

The Alleged Real Reason Why Elvis Never Toured Outside America

It was never confirmed by Elvis or those around him why he never toured overseas. But fans and experts who have watched the star’s life closely are mostly united on the Colonel Tom Parker theory .

As Grunge points out, it’s been alleged that Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, talked him out of touring abroad because Parker himself was an illegal alien. He had no passport documentation, and he feared that if he left American soil, he wouldn’t be able to get back in.

RELATED: The Real Reason Why Harry Styles Got Rejected For The New Elvis Movie

Additionally, the Colonel was allegedly linked to a murder in his native Breda and feared traveling overseas as he didn’t want to face passport scrutiny.

It has been confirmed that Parker wasn’t really an American citizen, as he claimed. Despite telling people that he was from West Virginia, and passing off certain elements of his accent as being Southern, he was actually born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk in Breda, Netherlands.

He entered the United States illegally when he was 17, at a time when border security was much more relaxed.

In the Baz Luhrmann movie Elvis , this theory is put forward as the real reason why Elvis did not tour overseas. The film shows Elvis, played by Austin Butler , wanting to perform to his fans overseas, but the Colonel — played by Tom Parker — talking him out of it. In the movie, the Colonel tells Elvis that he shouldn’t travel abroad because of the security risk.

What Was Elvis’s Relationship Like With Colonel Tom Parker?

Since Elvis’s untimely death in 1977, his relationship with Colonel Tom Parker has been exposed as abusive and manipulative . Den of Geek reports that the Colonel took significant cuts of the star’s profits, sometimes even larger than Elvis’s own, tightly controlled his image and sound, and all but forced him into several movie roles that Elvis didn’t want to do.

RELATED: Austin Butler Risked His Health To Play Elvis

Between 1969 and Elvis’s death, the Mississippi-born star performed 600 times in Las Vegas, which he reportedly resented. Rather than honoring his client’s feelings, the Colonel kept Elvis performing at the International Hotel (now the Las Vegas Hilton) to pay off his own gambling debts.

In 1973, the Colonel sold Elvis’s back catalog to RCA for just $5.4 million, of which Elvis only received $2 million after taxes. As is shown in the movie, Elvis did finally fire the Colonel, but when the Colonel slammed him with an itemized bill for his services that was priced in the millions, Elvis and his father Vernon decided to take the Colonel back.

In 1980, an investigation was launched into the Colonel’s management of Elvis, which was found to be unethical and likely cost Elvis thousands.

The heartbreaking reason why Elvis never toured overseas

Elvis Presley , widely dubbed ‘The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, has been dead for close to 50 years – but his influence is still felt around the world even today.

Throughout his illustrious career, the global icon had been desperate to embark on international tours and travel… But he sadly never made it happen, and the heartbreaking reason why will horrify you.

In 1972, ahead of a highly anticipated Madison Square Garden concert, Elvis revealed his two biggest career goals: make non-musical movies to show his acting abilities, and to travel and tour overseas.

And while Elvis had some pretty major opportunities to do both (including an invitation from The Queen to perform in London), there was a significant roadblock standing in the way of these big aspirations – his manager, Colonel Parker, a complex figure known for his questionable practices, including mysteries about his background and a shady past.

Colonel Parker’s role in Elvis’ career has been contentious, with Dick Clark, the host of American Bandstand, once recalling (via Express ): “Parker’s handling of the man was as bad or worse than his management of Elvis’ business affairs. He kept him in a cage like an animal. He trotted him out like a trained bear.”

Parker’s controlling influence has long been linked to Elvis’ decline in the mid-1970s, contributing to unhealthy behaviors like compulsive binge-eating and addictions.

Priscilla Presley, Elvis’ former spouse, acknowledged that it was his unhappiness with the repetitive movie musicals forced upon him by Parker that triggered the ‘ Jailhouse Rock ‘ singer’s downward spiral.

The relationship between Elvis and Parker has often been described as one marked by manipulation and control. Despite a famous image of Elvis pointing a gun at Parker, it was often Parker who wielded the metaphorical power over Elvis, squashing his creative desires and limiting his opportunities.

Parker’s financial arrangements also weighed heavily on Elvis, with the manager managing to wrangle his way into a substantial 50% share of revenues. This far surpassed industry norms, which would have sat around 10%, according to the New York Post .

Parker’s ability to propel Elvis to global stardom was evident, but his controversial tactics also hindered Elvis’ potential – meaning that the insanely popular musician was never able to make an international tour happen.

In fact, it has been suggested that Parker – who originally came from the Netherlands and was potentially tied to a violent murder in the country in 1929, per Smithsonian magazine – had a questionable immigration status in the US, which may explain why he and Elvis never made it overseas.

Elvis’ shock passing in 1977 marked the end of an era – though, Parker’s influence continued well after this, as he had sold the rights to Elvis’ early recordings and left a legacy intertwined with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

While many could argue that Parker contributed to Elvis’ fame, it’s also true that he highlighted the dark side of the entertainment industry, with his control and financial demands casting a shadow over the Elvis’ once-promising career.

What do you think about Elvis’ relationship with his manager? Let us know in the comments!

• Elvis Presley’s grim last moments revealed by the young girlfriend who found him on toilet
• Quincy Jones reveals why he never worked with Elvis Presley — claims the King of Rock and Roll was racist

The post The heartbreaking reason why Elvis never toured overseas appeared first on Newsner English .

The Tragic Reason Elvis Never Toured The UK

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis uncovers why the tale.

Following a spate of musical biopics in recent years with the releases of Bohemian Rhapsody , Rocketman , Judy , and Respect , Baz Luhrmann released his much-anticipated big-screen interpretation of the life and career of Elvis Presley . Starring Austin Butler as the “King of Rock and Roll” and Tom Hanks as his manager Colonel Tom Parker , Elvis devles into the history of one of the world’s most prolific musicians, who had an army of adoring fans all around the world. But, did Elvis ever tour the UK?

What may come as a surprise to many – given his international fame – Elvis never toured across the pond . As per the Daily Mail , the reason for this lies with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, who was born in The Netherlands and arrived in the United States as an illegal immigrant. Because Colonel Parker did not possess an American passport, he feared that if he left the U.S. for any reason – including to go on an international tour with Presley – he might not be granted permission back into the United States. Therefore, Parker reportedly convinced the “Blue Suede Shoes” performer that it would be a security risk for him to tour internationally, and encouraged him to focus on the Las Vegas strip, instead.

Although, the singer did briefly visit the United Kingdom back in 1960, when the military plane flying him back to the U.S. from his army service in Europe (which was mandatory at the time) stopped over at Prestwick in Scotland.

As mentioned, the 2022 musical-biopic Elvis chronicles the life and career of the famed performer, depicting everything from his childhood in Mississippi to his rise to worldwide superstardom. Following the film’s release, critics have largely praised director Luhrmann’s efforts , with one positive review from Rolling Stone describing the big-screen drama as a “brash, overwhelming experience.”

Meanwhile, members of Presley’s own family have also given the biopic their seal of approval . Speaking to reporters, Elvis’ former wife, Priscilla Presley, revealed that she “loves” the film, which she thinks is “beautifully done.”

The Alleged Reason Elvis Presley Never Toured Outside Of North America

There aren't many stars with whom millions around the world are on a first-name basis. That's a level almost beyond the upper echelons of celebrity. Madonna's full name, per Britannica , is Madonna Louise Ciconne, but as her renown expanded, she cast the rest of those affectations aside and became a popular culture powerhouse as simply Madonna.

Another of the most celebrated examples of this phenomenon is Elvis. Mr. Presley, Biography states, was born to a cash-strapped family in Tupelo, Mississippi, and the only early hints of his musical prowess were his enthusiasm for the music of the Assembly Of God Church. He was reportedly given a guitar when he turned 11, and the unassuming birthday present would surely go on to change the course of his life, not to mention the entire music industry.

His now-iconic debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in September of 1956 cemented his legend. According to History , it seized an 82.6% share of TV viewership, and the 21-year-old was watched by 60 million people as he performed while on the cusp of true superstardom. In short order, he had conquered the world. Curiously, though, he never toured outside of North America, and it seemed his manager had more than a little something to do with that.

Colonel Tom Parker seemed very averse to global tours

According to Graceland 's official website, Elvis met Colonel Tom Parker, the man who would steer him through the rest of his remarkable career, on February 6, 1955. The meeting was attended by representatives of Elvis' then-label, Sun Records, as well as the manager he had at the time, Bob Neal. Parker, it seems, wasted no time in making clear that he could take Elvis to the very top. By mid-March of the following year, Parker had assumed sole responsibility for managing Elvis.

Parker was there for much of Elvis' meteoric rise. According to Alanna Nash's "The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley," RCA Records' Chet Atkins deemed Parker to have been "the best manager I ever saw ... whatever he cost Elvis ... was worth it, because Elvis would've ... lost that luster in no time if it hadn't been for the Colonel." Literally and figuratively, it's difficult to say exactly how much Parker "cost" Elvis. With Parker's tremendous influence over the singer's career, though, he called a lot of the shots, and one decision he seemed to make was that his client wouldn't tour around the world.

In an interview with Noise11 , Jerry Schilling of Elvis' "Memphis Mafia" stated that Elvis, at the peak of his success, "wanted to tour overseas. He wanted to go to Australia. He wanted to go to Japan." He passed these ambitions on to the Colonel, per Schilling, who wouldn't hear of it.

The King and the Colonel collided

According to Schilling, per Noise11 , the Colonel insisted that if Elvis embarked on such a trip, he would do so without him. Elvis apparently told Parker that he was fired and attempted to do just that, but, per Schilling, "When Elvis tried to get a tour going no one would touch him because they were afraid of the Colonel ... They had the relationship with the Colonel. They respected the Colonel."

And so it was that such aspirations were not to be. According to Smithsonian Magazine , the icon would play only three shows outside of the United States, all of them in Canada in 1957. Along the way, Parker had reportedly refused all kinds of lucrative offers for tours worldwide, and it seems he did so because he had no choice. Parker was not Tom Parker at all, he was not a United States citizen, and he didn't have a passport .

Biography reports that Parker's true name was Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk, and that he was born in the Netherlands. He pretended to have been born in West Virginia, later fought for the United States Army, and was given the title of colonel in 1948 (strictly honorary) by Louisiana's governor, whom he had helped campaign. Of these intriguing details, Schilling told Noise11, "We didn't know that while Elvis was alive ... That came out after Elvis passed away." Biography adds that relations from Parker's true native nation recognized him from press photos of himself with the King.

‘Elvis’ Fact or Fiction: Colonel Tom Parker Biographer on What’s Real and What’s Not in Baz Luhrmann Biopic

By Chris Willman

Chris Willman

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic

• Cécile McLorin Salvant, Silvana Estrada Provide Two Master Classes for the Price of One in Brilliant Disney Hall Double Header: Concert Review 2 days ago
• Phish Fan Who Went Viral Bragging About Bong Hits at Sphere Banned From All MSG Venues ‘Indefinitely’ 3 days ago
• Dolly Parton Announces Plans for Broadway Musical Based on Her Life, ‘Hello, I’m Dolly’ 3 days ago

Does the phrase “That’s All Right, Mama” apply to the new “ Elvis ” movie… as in, “that’s all correct, ma’am”? No one is probably expecting that ; any practiced watcher of biopics knows virtually any example will take deep liberties with the facts for dramatic purposes. And maybe it’s a given that a director who puts hip-hop and hard rock on his period-film soundtracks, as Baz Luhrmann does, might favor effect over total verisimilitude.

Still, “Elvis” is right on enough counts — literally or spiritually — that it’s worth trying to separate fact from fiction in the movie’s narrative of Elvis Presley (played by Austin Butler) and his nearly career-long manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). There may be no one better to go to who can provide the truth on both Presley and “the Colonel,” in tandem, than the latter’s biographer, Alanna Nash. Nash, a veteran music journalist, published “The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley ” to acclaim in 2010 and her book has just been reissued with a new afterword.

Related Stories

How content spending will grow in the post-peak tv era, viggo mortensen asked peter jackson if he could use aragorn's sword in a new movie, says he'd star in new 'lord of the rings' movie only 'if i was right for the character'.

The new “Elvis” film is not based on her book, nor did Luhrmann read it, by his account (although he says researchers presented him with notes from that and many other key Presley-related books). But Nash’s work is considered by many to be the authoritative word on Parker, a former carnie who made his fortune off the King, and whose pros and cons as a very, very controlling manager continue to be debated to this day. Variety spoke with her about how much rings true about both of the movie’s primary subjects, point by point.

Popular on Variety

What’s your overall feeling on the movie’s truth-ometer? Are the liberties worth it for creating an artistic picture? Does it veer off in ways that seem unnecessary?

The timeline… well, what timeline? It’s all a Baz Luhrmann fever dream. The past, present and future are all shook up like a ‘50s milkshake and served with a thousand straws! Other than the tremendous pains Baz has taken to make this story seem “woke,” the liberties are essentially fair — except to Parker. In making him such an antagonist, they have robbed him of his many accomplishments with his client.

Is it true, as portrayed, that Parker was consistently trying to pressure Elvis to tone down his sex appeal?

No, no, not at all. Elvis took care of what Elvis did and Colonel took care of what Colonel did. He liked it that Elvis did what brought folks into the big tent. Listen, this guy was no fool! Parker loved it that Elvis was like a male striptease artist… like the bally girls on the carnivals. That sold tickets! The only time Parker got critical is when the shows began to falter with drugs or erratic behavior on stage. But that was in the ’70s.

Was there a late ’50s concert riot in which Elvis deliberately disobeyed Parker’s orders not to move around or wiggle on stage?

There were concert riots, most notably in Jacksonville, Fla., but not a concert for which Parker issued orders like that. No, all that stuff was rehearsed and rehearsed. Colonel knew what Elvis was doing and going to do. And again, he did not advise Elvis on any aspect of his performance. Headlines about how lascivious early Elvis was sold concert tickets. When Parker crony Gabe Tucker threw a magazine piece on the Colonel’s desk that insinuated that Elvis was gay, Parker didn’t say a word until his friend stopped sputtering. “Well,” Parker finally said, “Did they spell his name right?”

Did Parker’s accent really sound like the one Tom Hanks is using in the film?

No. It was more American, more rural. And he had what sounded like a slight lisp or speech impediment. Turns out he didn’t have an impediment — he was just trying to wrap a Dutch tongue around the English language, Southern-style. It sounded like a weird (Southern) regional dialect, and you would know it was Dutch only by listening for certain consonants. But Baz wanted to make him seem more “other.” Or as Baz told me in an interview, “I thought it was very important that Tom present the audience with a strangeness, a sort of ‘What is going on with this guy?’”

Did the Colonel live out his later years being sickly in casinos, as portrayed in the movie’s framing device?

Yes. He was also a consultant to the Hilton, where he gambled every day.

Did Parker really have huge gambling debts he was able to pay off by committing Elvis to a single Vegas hotel for years before Presley’s death?

Yes. Elvis never knew how many shows he played free to satisfy Parker’s enslavement to the roulette wheel and the craps table. In fact, Colonel didn’t even have to go down to the casino. The hotel would bring a roulette wheel to his room. Alex Shoofey, the executive VP of the International, testified that Parker was good for $1 million a year in gambling, but others think that number is low.

Colonel Parker is seen as under pressure from secretive governmental forces who want to keep Elvis from corrupting youth — and to try to get him to tamp down Presley, they threaten to  expose his past, as a non-American native of Holland, which he’s desperate to hide. Is there anything to that?

That’s total and unequivocal bunk, a complete invention in the movie. First of all, when Colonel Parker enlisted in the U.S. Army, he declared himself a Dutch citizen, with parents born in Holland. That was fine — we took foreign nationals — but he just had to swear he’d become a U.S. citizen, which he never did, because he went AWOL. But he worked closely with the Pentagon, planning Elvis’ army career and post-army concert to raise money for the U.S.S. Arizona monument.

Is it true that Colonel Parker’s reason for being attracted to Elvis was that he thought a white singer who sounded Black was bound to be a star and accomplish what a Black singer could not?

No. Eddy Arnold, whom Parker had built into a household name, had fired him as his manager over failing to honor their exclusive contract, though Parker continued to book him. The Colonel was now looking for the next big thing. He didn’t care what color he was. My guess is that, if Elvis had been Black, he wouldn’t have been as interested, because it would have been harder to take him to a larger audience, especially in the segregated South, which was Parker’s stronghold from his days on the carnival circuit.

Elvis’s first manager, Bob Neal, told me that he had a heck of a time getting stations to play Elvis’s first single. Country radio stations said Elvis sounded too Black to play, and the stations that played rhythm and blues said he sounded too much like a hillbilly. But a few of them started playing them all the time. The Colonel promoted Elvis’s first big tour with Hank Snow. Once a big crowd saw Elvis perform, there was a demand for his record.

But that gets telescoped in the movie. In the film, when the Colonel goes to the Louisiana Hayride and first sees Elvis, he’s told backstage that Elvis is on the pop charts and that the country DJs are playing him too, and that Black and white kids are buying Elvis’s records. That potential is what interests him. He also says in the film that if he could find an act that gave the audience feelings they weren’t sure they should enjoy, but did, he could create the greatest show on earth. That’s really what he was looking for all along.

Were Elvis’ primary music influences almost all Black artists, as portrayed in the movie?

No, Luhrmann has really framed this through a present-day lens. Elvis had just as many white influences and announced as early as seventh grade that he was going to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. Remember, he entered a talent contest as a child singing “Old Shep” — warbling about dead dogs is about as country as it gets. An early hero in Tupelo was a hillbilly singer named Mississippi Slim. But living in a “colored” neighborhood, as he did, he certainly heard early R&B, jump-blues and swing tunes pulsating through the walls at the nearby juke joints, and he loved it, as he did both Black and white gospel. Still, the odds were heavily in favor that he’d be a country singer and his stint on the Louisiana Hayride seemed to point him in that direction.

Would Elvis have gone to Black Pentecostal tent meetings as a kid, as seen in the film?

He might have gone to Black churches with his friend, Sam Bell, in Tupelo, as a kid. The Black-white divide didn’t mean much to the Presleys. Later, in Memphis, he certainly attended a white fundamentalist church, and — with his early girlfriend, Dixie Locke — the all-Black East Trigg Baptist Church to hear Black gospel. He mentions that church in the film.

He is seen attending so many performances by R&B singers, whether it’s Arthur Big Boy Crudup as a kid or Big Mama Thornton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, B.B. King and Little Richard later. Is it fantasy that he was constantly seeing or meeting up with all these important artists?

Yes and no. This is Luhrmann showing us Elvis’s influences. Elvis is famously quoted as saying, “Down in Tupelo, Miss., I used to hear old Arthur Crudup bang his box the way I do now and I said, if I ever got to the place I could feel all old Arthur felt, I’d be a music man like nobody saw.” But it’s unclear whether this was on the radio or in person. Teenage Elvis, living in Memphis, certainly went to West Memphis, Arkansas and to Beale Street to hear Black performers. And he continued to go see Black performers, such as Jackie Wilson, throughout his life. He also paid a visit to Little Richard’s home in California in the late ‘50s.

With B.B. King, there was a chance meeting at Sun Studios and, in late 1956, at a famous all-Black charity show, where King was the headliner and Elvis, as an invited guest, came out and wiggled his leg, but did not perform. Backstage, he and King had a photo made. Marty Lacker told me that Elvis and B.B. King used to visit some in Las Vegas, but that was in the ‘70s. He told me: “There were times when B.B. King would be playing in the lounge, and Elvis would be playing in the big room. Elvis would invite B.B. up to the suite after the shows. He liked B.B. and B.B. liked him.”

Elvis’ influences were so diverse. Some people have said the movie undersells Elvis’ country and crooner influences to make him look like almost solely the product of blues and R&B. Any thoughts on that?

I would agree with that. But this is Lurhmann telling us Elvis didn’t steal Black music, as he has been accused of doing, but performed it in homage. I would say it was in his spiritual DNA, as he grew up with Black playmates and heard that music all around him. But Gladys was a big Grand Ole Opry fan, and it was in part the Colonel’s introducing her to Hank Snow that got her to let her boy go with the Colonel. But yes, adolescent Elvis listened to all kinds of music, from the Ink Spots to Dean Martin.

Any thoughts on the portrayal early in the film of country star Hank Snow, who first takes Elvis out on the road before becoming disgusted with him, and his son, Jimmie Rodgers Snow, who seems to worship Elvis? 

Snow had a big ego and resented the fact that Elvis quickly became the draw on his shows, not Snow. And his son, Jimmie (later Jimmy), envied Elvis and yearned to counsel him on his “sinful” ways. Elvis kind of liked Jimmie. They went motorcycle riding together in Nashville. Parker used Jimmie to sidle up to Elvis and form a friendship to get Elvis to sign with Parker and the elder Snow, who were then business partners. But then Colonel cheated Hank out of half of Elvis and that was that. Jimmie later went to Graceland in 1958 to talk to him about how he had given up drinking and doing pills on the road and had turned his life over to Jesus. Elvis wasn’t ready for hear all that yet.

What’s the real origin story of Parker hearing about and going to discover Elvis?

He probably initially heard about Elvis from his cronies in Texarkana when Elvis was playing little clubs while on the Louisiana Hayride. What turned Colonel’s head, though, was a report from his old friend Oscar Davis, who went to Memphis in October 1954 to advance an Arnold appearance at Ellis Auditorium, and saw how Elvis packed a local dive, the Eagle’s Nest, night after night with screaming women. Davis went to have a look and went back to tell Colonel Parker all about him and how he wiggled and girls went wild. Charlie Lamb, who was present that day, told me that Parker got up from the lunch table and got in his car that minute and drove to find him.

What about Presley’s entrance into the Army? It’s shown as being Parker’s idea to get him away for a while to put a lid on the sexual energy and image.

Oh, Parker instigated that whole thing, but it wasn’t to put a lid on the sexual energy. He began negotiating it all with the Pentagon in 1956. He wanted Elvis to go not to Special Services, where the army was happy to put him, but to serve his time as any other soldier. This would sand the rough edges off his image and bring him back as the all-American boy fit for family entertainment with Frank Sinatra. It was all to make him into a beloved pop idol, not a dangerous, lugubrious rock ‘n’ roller.

Parker wanted to make Elvis clean-cut after he came back from the army in part because when Elvis went into the army, neither Elvis nor Parker thought rock ‘n’ roll would last. Elvis, especially, thought that it might even be over by the time he got out. So while he was gone (remember, Parker never went to Germany when Elvis was there), Parker set up all these appearances and movies for him, and the idea was to make him appeal to families — the all-American boy that would have longevity, and could grow into that role as he aged. But once Elvis was onstage, controlling the music, he did what he wanted.

It’s kind of like Priscilla letting Baz make Parker out to be such a villain, but is now having Hanks and Baz say they toned down the Colonel’s evilness once they met with her, because Parker was a good guy. They’re having it both ways.

Is the portrayal of the ’68 comeback special accurate, with Parker trying desperately to keep it a Christmas special, and resisting the rock ‘n’ roll throwback elements that everyone loved, because he was kowtowing to a deeply upset TV network?

Yes and no. It was supposed to be a Christmas show in the sense that it would air in December, and Parker wanted it to be a family show with Elvis as a ‘60s-era Bing Crosby or Perry Como. But there was never a Christmas sweater or a fairy-tale Christmas set. That’s Luhrmann being the showman. Parker was ticked that there was initially no Christmas music, though, and (TV producer) Steve Binder and Elvis threw him “Blue Christmas” as a bone.

Is the portrayal of Elvis’ relationship with Priscilla, however briefly that is dramatized, basically accurate?

It’s both sanitized and expanded. After the divorce, Elvis and Priscilla had little shared experience other than arranging Lisa Marie’s visits.

Did Elvis ever really fire Parker on stage, followed by Parker getting back at him by threatening to demand repayment for every tiny expense item over the years?

He never fired him on stage, but there was an incident in Vegas in 1974 where Elvis criticized Barron Hilton from the stage for firing one of Elvis’s favorite employees. That led to a colossal shouting match afterwards with Parker and talk of firing and quitting on both their parts, with Colonel ultimately presenting a bill that the Presleys could not pay. And so things resumed as they had been. Elvis would never have been so crass as to have fired Colonel from the stage.

Did Parker really do everything in his power to make sure Elvis didn’t fulfill his wish of touring internationally?

Yes. Parker had no passport and couldn’t go and didn’t trust any other promoter to take him. He cited several reasons — primarily security — and not big enough venues, or said the money wasn’t right. Near the end of his life, Parker is said to have been speaking with two promoters about this, since Elvis was so deeply unhappy about never getting to go tour Europe, but it never happened.

Did Parker really install Elvis’ dad, Vernon, as business manager to make sure he, the Colonel, could really run all things?

More or less. Vernon needed something to do, and he was always willing to take money under the table, and Parker saw how malleable he was, and would have suggested Vernon be the so-called business manager. Privately, Parker referred to Elvis’s family as “shit” and rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.

Did Parker talk of things in carnival or carnie or conman terms as much as he does in this movie?

Yes, he did. For example, in discussing how he didn’t ever want to get taken advantage of, he’d say, “I don’t want to end up with cider in my ear.” And he had an underling fix up a “cookhouse,” a so-called carnival kitchen, by throwing an oilcloth over the conference room table in his office on the MGM lot. One thing he did with me was to say, “I want you to remember this.” And then he launched into this carny double-speak that sounded kind of like pig Latin. Of course, I had no idea what he was saying, much less remembered it. He never left the carnivals, really.

Anything else to say about the Parker characterization?

The Colonel is a complicated character, and while he always took too much of Presley’s money, he made some very sound decisions for him. Luhrmann hasn’t really given him his due by a long shot.

More from Variety

‘south park: the end of obesity’: the new special is now streaming online, 2024 emmy nominations need to bless the creator economy’s best, cartman goes on ozempic in ‘south park: the end of obesity’ trailer, coming to paramount+ in may, layoff surge highlights disconnect between job volume, success at gaming companies, more from our brands, ‘hit man’ confirms glen powell is the 21st century’s cary grant, how to collect vintage watches: 5 expert tips from dealer alan bedwell, dončić and irving could become nba’s first billion-dollar backcourt, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, michael mosley, british tv presenter, dead at 67 — had been missing for days, verify it's you, please log in.

Terrifying Swarms Coming Soon to an Apocalypse Near You

The violent legacy of henry shrapnel, ‘the simpsons’ wrote conan o’brien’s talk show into an episode before he got the job, 35 tv shows and movies that took a wild left turn somewhere along the way, 32 unbelievable lies people got away with, the weirdo reason elvis couldn't tour outside the u.s..

Elvis Presley has to be the most famous singer in history, if not the most famous person of any kind in the entire inner solar system. You might imagine that he wowed people the world over by performing for huge sold-out crowds. Why, who can forget Elvis in Amsterdam, Elvis in Sydney, Elvis in Tokyo, and of course Elvis in London?

This article not your thing? Try these...

17 lies celebs told that people forget, 31 random bits of trivia we had to wait 24 hours for our dog to pass after he ate them off the sidewalk, 17 hack movie and tv plots that everyone’s sick of.

In reality, Elvis never toured internationally. He performed in over 240 cities, over 1,600 performances, but these were all in the United States. He did do three shows in Canada, all in 1957, but we're not going to count that as traveling internationally because at the time, you could travel freely between the U.S. and Canada without a passport.

We're not being arbitrary with that definition—freedom of travel is the crucial issue here and is the reason Elvis couldn't tour outside America. Elvis' manager, "Colonel" Tom Parker, believed that if he ever left the U.S., border authorities would forbid him (Parker) from ever coming back.

Parker, played by Tom Hanks in the new Elvis movie, was born in the Netherlands and was originally named Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk. He worked on a ship to reach an American port and then leapt off the ship to enter the country illegally. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army, which meant he could have eventually become a citizen, but he never got around to it. He instead did his own form of naturalization. He called himself "the colonel" (just an honorary title), changed his name to Tom Parker (which sounded very American to him), and walked around in a cowboy hat (or occasionally some other hat he thought looked American, like in the above photo).

As Elvis' manager, the responsible thing for Parker to do (assuming he had no plans to sort out his immigration status) would be to send Elvis on fabulous world tours while he himself stayed behind back in the States. But Parker insisted on tight control over his client. We'll have to leave the full story of the Colonel and Elvis for a longer article, but let's just quickly mention that Parker would occasionally take over Elvis' home, he pushed Elvis into getting married, and he sometimes made more money off Elvis' career than Elvis himself did—though he then lost most of it gambling. The one good thing about Parker, though, is he had some skill at marketing. It was his idea to produce and sell buttons labeled "I Hate Elvis."

This fact came from the One Cracked Fact newsletter. Want more like this, straight from your email inbox, without any ads or popups? Join here:

Sign up for the Cracked Newsletter

Get the best of Cracked sent directly to your inbox!

For more on Elvis and the Colonel, check out:

6 Albums By Rock Legends That Were Thinly Veiled Insults

Elvis Presley Liked Schoolgirls, Pajama Parties ... and Dudes

Elvis Was Cruel to Priscilla Presley

Top image via Wiki Commons

46 European Flags, Reviewed

46 of the funniest tweets from the week of june 3, 2024, 15 trivia tidbits for saturday, june 8, 2024, 32 predictions about the future that demonstrate how dumb people were in the past, 35 trivia tidbits about music history, viral on cracked, 33 true facts about famous people, 18 mic-drop celeb answers to boring interview questions, a weekly newsletter of jokes + trivia.

The Enlightened Mindset

Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding

Welcome to the world's first fully AI generated website!

Exploring Elvis Presley’s International Tours and How They Changed the World

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

Elvis Presley was one of the most influential musicians of all time. His career spanned decades, and he was known for his iconic style, powerful voice, and groundbreaking performances. But while many people are familiar with his work in the United States, few know about his international touring history. This article explores Elvis’ international tours and how they changed the world.

A Look at Elvis Presley’s International Touring History

Elvis first began performing in the US in 1954, when he was just 19 years old. He quickly became a household name, and by the mid-1960s he had already toured extensively throughout the country. In the late 1960s, Elvis began expanding into international markets, beginning with a tour of Europe in 1957. He then went on to perform in Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and even Japan. By the time he retired from touring in 1977, Elvis had performed in over 30 countries.

Exploring the Impact of Elvis’ International Tours

Elvis’ international tours had a profound impact on music and culture around the world. His performances challenged traditional styles of music, broke down cultural barriers, and inspired new generations of fans. Here, we explore the various ways Elvis’ international tours changed the world.

Cultural and Social Influence

Elvis’ international tours were hugely influential in terms of culture and social change. His music and style challenged traditional ideas about race, gender, and class. At a time when rock ‘n’ roll was seen as a rebellious and dangerous genre of music, Elvis’ performances showed that it could be embraced by mainstream audiences. As one fan put it, “He made rock ‘n’ roll acceptable to the older generation.”

Economic Impact

Elvis’ international tours also had an economic impact. His concerts were hugely popular, selling out venues around the world. According to a study by the University of Memphis, Elvis’ tours generated more than $50 million in revenue for the local economies of the cities he visited. This money was used to create jobs, support local businesses, and boost tourism.

Lasting Legacy

Finally, Elvis’ international tours left behind a lasting legacy. His performances helped to introduce Western music and culture to new audiences, and his influence can still be felt today. As one critic noted, “Elvis was not just a singer; he was a cultural icon whose influence is still felt today.”

How Elvis Changed the World Through His International Tours

Elvis’ international tours had a profound impact on the world. Here, we look at some of the ways he changed the world through his performances.

Breaking Down Cultural Barriers

Elvis’ international tours helped to break down cultural barriers. His music and style were embraced by people from all backgrounds, and his performances showed that different cultures could come together and share a love of music. As one fan said, “He brought us all together in a way no one else could.”

Challenging Traditional Music Styles

Elvis also challenged traditional music styles. His performances combined elements of blues, country, gospel, and rock ‘n’ roll, creating a unique sound that appealed to audiences around the world. As one critic noted, “He created a whole new sound that no one had heard before.”

Inspiring New Generations of Fans

Finally, Elvis’ international tours inspired new generations of fans. His performances introduced people to a whole new world of music and culture, and his influence can still be felt today. As one fan put it, “His music is timeless; it will never go away.”

The Rise and Fall of Elvis’ International Tours

Elvis’ international tours were hugely successful, but they eventually declined in popularity. This was due to a number of factors, including changes in the music industry and Elvis’ own health issues. Here, we look at some of the reasons for the decline of Elvis’ international tours.

Reasons for the Decline in International Touring

One of the main reasons for the decline in Elvis’ international touring was changes in the music industry. As new genres of music emerged, Elvis’ music began to fall out of favor. This led to fewer international bookings and ultimately a decrease in his popularity.

Changes in the Music Industry

In addition to changes in the music industry, Elvis’ own health issues also played a role in the decline of his international tours. As he aged, his health began to deteriorate, making it increasingly difficult for him to perform. This led to fewer international bookings and ultimately a decrease in his popularity.

A Closer Look at Elvis’ International Concerts and Tours

Elvis’ international tours were highly successful, and each one was unique in its own way. Here, we take a closer look at some of the different venues and locations Elvis performed at, as well as the variety of musical genres he performed.

Different Venues and Locations

Elvis’ international tours took him to a variety of different venues and locations. He performed in arenas, stadiums, and theatres, as well as smaller clubs and bars. He also travelled to cities around the world, including London, Paris, Tokyo, and Sydney.

Variety of Musical Genres Performed

Elvis’ performances featured a wide range of musical genres, from rock ‘n’ roll to gospel to country. He often mixed these styles together, creating a unique sound that was embraced by audiences around the world.

Unique Features of Each Tour

Each of Elvis’ international tours had its own unique features. For example, his 1973 tour of Japan featured a special performance of “Love Me Tender” in which he sang in Japanese. This performance was seen as a sign of respect for the Japanese people, and it helped to strengthen the bond between him and his fans.

Elvis’ International Tours: An Overview and Analysis

Elvis Presley’s international tours had a profound impact on music and culture around the world. His performances challenged traditional styles of music, broke down cultural barriers, and inspired new generations of fans. Here, we provide an overview and analysis of Elvis’ international touring career.

Summary of Elvis’ International Touring Career

Elvis Presley began touring internationally in the late 1950s, and by the time he retired in 1977 he had performed in over 30 countries. His performances were hugely popular, selling out venues around the world and generating millions of dollars in revenue for the local economies of the cities he visited. Elvis’ international tours also had a major impact on culture and social change, challenging traditional ideas about race, gender, and class.

Critical Assessment of Its Overall Importance

It is clear that Elvis’ international tours were hugely important. They introduced Western music and culture to new audiences, and his influence can still be felt today. His performances broke down cultural barriers and challenged traditional music styles, inspiring new generations of fans. Elvis’ international tours were truly revolutionary, and their impact on the world cannot be understated.

Recommendations for Further Research

While much has been written about Elvis’ international tours, there is still more to learn. Future research should focus on exploring the different venues and locations Elvis performed at, as well as the variety of musical genres he performed. Additionally, further research should be done to examine the lasting legacy of Elvis’ international tours and how they continue to shape music and culture around the world.

In conclusion, Elvis Presley’s international tours had a profound impact on music and culture around the world. His performances challenged traditional styles of music, broke down cultural barriers, and inspired new generations of fans. His influence can still be felt today, and his legacy will live on for generations to come. Elvis’ international tours truly changed the world.

(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

Related Post

Exploring japan: a comprehensive guide for your memorable journey, your ultimate guide to packing for a perfect trip to hawaii, the ultimate packing checklist: essentials for a week-long work trip, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Expert Guide: Removing Gel Nail Polish at Home Safely

Trading crypto in bull and bear markets: a comprehensive examination of the differences, making croatia travel arrangements, make their day extra special: celebrate with a customized cake.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Frozen in time, Elvis still reigns as the King in Germany

By Carter Dougherty

• Aug. 25, 2008

BAD NAUHEIM, Germany — Millions of fans, impersonators, hucksters and charlatans have wanted a piece of Elvis Presley ever since his music hit the charts in the 1950s, and his German admirers are no exception.

Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and reigned from stages of Las Vegas and an estate called Graceland, they like to say, but the King was never as much at peace as when he was in Bad Nauheim.

"Elvis always said that his time in Germany was the least constrained of his entire life," Hans-Ulrich Halwe, the honorary chairman of the Elvis Presley Association, told a tour group of 70 while standing near the house where Elvis lived.

Halwe's broad thesis about Presley's time in Bad Nauheim may be objectively true, for it has a lot of green space, enjoyable vistas of the rolling hills outside Frankfurt, and a population that is small-town without being parochial. It lacked the pressures of managers, fans and spotlights that Elvis faced later in life.

The thesis is also useful. German Elvis fans have created their own narrative about the King, one that forgives the star for his later transgressions and freezes in time the young, svelte, pleasant man they knew.

Elvis pulls double duty, 50 years after he began his military service in Germany, as an honorary, if deceased, ambassador from the United States, especially during the recent European Elvis Festival in Bad Nauheim. The King was titanic without being overbearing, talented without being arrogant, and friendly without being saccharine - all things a lot of Germans say are missing in today's America.

"At least when the festival is going, everyone here loves America," Ulrich Schlichthaerle, director of Bad Nauheim's marketing and tourism agency. "You can't say that all the time."

Elvis is also good business.

The festival brought about 10,000 people to Bad Nauheim, good news to Schlichthaerle, who is a salesman first and an Elvis fan second, he concedes. For a good century before Elvis, Bad Nauheim was a famous spa town, with mineral springs for every ailment, but it is managing a transition.

"Why did the city get interested in Elvis?" Halwe said. "Because the spa visitors tapered off."

On the trail of Elvis, Halwe, 64, leads his tour group through leafy Bad Nauheim to the house he rented, the record store he patronized, and the fountain where he once inhaled regenerative saltwater vapors to heal his inflamed tonsils. It would all be easy to miss, but for the black granite monument at Elvis Presley Plaza.

Halwe's storytelling provides the real insight into his fans here.

Those stories about Elvis being in a bar fight in Bad Nauheim are nonsense, Halwe said. (Elvis's bodyguard, Red West, was the real culprit.) And when he met his future wife Priscilla in Germany, he was utterly smitten. (Their marriage later broke up.) And Elvis had firm plans to play the first date on his European tour in Bad Nauheim's auditorium, Halwe assured his tour group. (Tom Parker, Presley's longtime manager, nixed the plan because the Dutch- born Parker could have been barred from re-entering the United States.)

Elvis was but a nice young man, and Germany was his Eden, a point lost on fans who live across the Atlantic.

"When I look at what comes from the United States, Germany is dealt with in three minutes and it's gone," said Jürgen Muth, a member of the Elvis Presley Association who lives just outside Bad Nauheim. "But otherwise Elvis was never outside the United States, except for a quick trip to Canada."

The special connection between Elvis and Germany makes for a convenient rallying point for those who miss the relationship the United States once enjoyed with its European ally.

"For me he represents the 8 to 10 million GIs who served in Germany at one time or another," said John Provan, a historian who has devoted himself to collecting relics of the American presence in Europe.

Coming to Germany on a troopship, buying a Volkswagen Bug and visiting Munich, Elvis "experienced just what the others did," Provan said.

Provan, who has scavenged radio interviews and pictures of Elvis, helped organize a popular museum exhibit to commemorate what began 50 years ago. A German photographer, Hans-Ulrich Elter, and a writer, Heinrich Burk, have put together a coffee-table book on Elvis in Germany that is scheduled to appear in October.

The town of Bad Nauheim is also maneuvering to take control of the Capri Club, the officers' club at now-closed Ray Barracks, where Presley was stationed.

It hopes to turn the spot, now in the hands of the German government, into a kind of German-American meeting point.

Because Elvis always trumps politics.

Halwe recalled the time when John F. Kennedy visited Frankfurt, and the whole city came to a standstill out of sheer enthusiasm. Decades later, George W. Bush visited nearby Mainz, and manhole covers were welded shut for security reasons.

The message for Halwe is clear: politicians who have a little bit of Elvis about them are the ones who build bridges.

"Bush can't sing as well as Elvis," Halwe said. "We don't yet know about Obama."

John Vinocur is on vacation.

Tomorrow: Indira A.R. Lakshmanan on the only Iraq war veteran serving in the U.S. Congress

• Moscow concerts Moscow concerts Moscow concerts See all Moscow concerts ( Change location ) Today · Next 7 days · Next 30 days
• Most popular artists worldwide
• Trending artists worldwide

• Tourbox for artists

Search for events or artists

• Sign up Log in

• Get the app
• Moscow concerts
• Change location
• Popular Artists
• Live streams
• Deutsch Português
• Popular artists

Elvis Presley

• No longer touring
• 1051 past concerts

Join Songkick to track your favorite artists and never miss them live.

Tours most with

Past concerts.

Unknown venue

View all past concerts

Touring history:

Last event:

Concerts played in 2024:

Most played:

• Las Vegas (351)
• Dallas - Fort Worth (29)
• Houston (26)
• Atlanta (22)

Appears most with:

• Carl Perkins (3)
• Johnny Cash (3)

Distance travelled:

• Most popular charts
• Campaigns for promoters
• API information
• Brand guidelines
• Community guidelines
• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookies settings
• Cookies policy

Get your tour dates seen everywhere.

• But we really hope you love us.

FEB 14, 2023

NEW THEATRE

BOX OFFICE: 0333 009 6690

FEB 17, 2023

BOX OFFICE: 0343 310 0055

FEB 19, 2023

KINGS THEATRE

Dean Z, Entertainer of the Year and one of the stars of the hit internationally touring production “The Elvis Tribute Artist World Tour” is bringing his all-new high energy Elvis tribute show to the United Kingdom. “Dean Z - The Ultimate Elvis” is a musical journey spanning the 20 year career of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, from his rise to fame in the 1950s, to his infamous Las Vegas performances of the 1970s. “Dean Z - The Ultimate Elvis” boasts a powerful 12-piece band, horn section, incredible background vocalists and immersive video content for a truly unforgettable concert experience!

For nearly two decades, Dean Z has performed thousands of shows for millions of people around the globe, being named by Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) as the world’s greatest Elvis tribute artists in 2013. Dean was officially awarded EPE’s “Ultimate” title, and starred in their international touring production Elvis Lives (with over 500,000 tickets sold). Dean Z has thrilled Elvis fans across Europe with his portrayal of the King performing to sold out audiences in some of the UK’s most historic venues including the London Apollo, Manchester Arena and The Echo in Liverpool. He is the only Elvis tribute artist to host SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio channel, and currently serves as an ambassador and contributor to Graceland and the Elvis Presley estate.

Questions about the tour? [email protected]

UK/EU Bookings & Tour enquiries:

John Patrick

Elite Concerts International

[email protected]

+447716 414 338

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Failed Graceland sale by a mystery entity highlights attempts to take assets of older or dead people

FILE - Fans wait in line outside Graceland, Elvis Presley’s Memphis home, in Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 15, 2017. A mysterious company has caused a stir for trying to auction Elvis Presley’s Graceland in a foreclosure sale this week. A judge has blocked the sale after Presley’s granddaughter filed a lawsuit alleging fraud. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill, File)

FILE - Elvis Presley with his girlfriend Yvonne Lime are photographed at his home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tenn., around 1957. A mysterious company has caused a stir for trying to auction Elvis Presley’s Graceland in a foreclosure sale this week. A judge has blocked the sale after Presley’s granddaughter filed a lawsuit alleging fraud. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home, is seen, Jan. 7, 2011, in Memphis, Tenn. A mysterious company has caused a stir for trying to auction Elvis Presley’s Graceland in a foreclosure sale this week. A judge has blocked the sale after Presley’s granddaughter filed a lawsuit alleging fraud. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

FILE - Fans get off a tour bus at Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home, Aug. 11, 2010, in Memphis, Tenn. A mysterious company has caused a stir for trying to auction Elvis Presley’s Graceland in a foreclosure sale this week. A judge has blocked the sale after Presley’s granddaughter filed a lawsuit alleging fraud. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

• Copy Link copied

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The catalyst behind the failed gambit to sell off the iconic Graceland property in Memphis is a mystery.

The self-styled investment company also is under fire from a lawsuit alleging fraud , an aggressive attorney general and a community of Elvis Presley loyalists who consider the home-turned-museum of the the king of rock n’ roll to be sacred ground.

Among the many questions surrounding the attempt to auction Graceland is how often cases pop up in which an entity emerges to claim assets of older or dead people. Experts say it’s more common than one might think.

“I have never heard of a fraud targeting such a well-known institution. So it’s a bit surprising on that end,” said Nicole Forbes Stowell, a business law professor at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus. “But I don’t think it’s surprising to everyday people that are the targets.”

Naussany Investments and Private Lending caused a stir when a public notice for a foreclosure sale of the 13-acre (5-hectare) Graceland estate was posted this month.

The notice said Promenade Trust, which controls the Graceland museum, owed $3.8 million after failing to repay a 2018 loan. Riley Keough , an actor and Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, inherited the trust and ownership of the home after her mother, Lisa Marie Presley , died in 2023.

Naussany said Lisa Marie Presley used Graceland as collateral for the loan, according to the foreclosure sale notice. Keough filed a lawsuit on May 15 alleging Naussany presented fraudulent documents regarding the loan in September 2023 and asking a Memphis judge to block the sale to the highest bidder.

“Lisa Maria Presley never borrowed money from Naussany Investments and never gave a deed of trust to Naussany Investments,” Keough’s lawyer Jeff Germany wrote in the lawsuit.

“It’s a scam,” actor Priscilla Presley, Elvis’ former wife, declared on her social media accounts.

On Wednesday, an injunction by Shelby County Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins halted the sale , which was planned for the next day. Jenkins said in court that Elvis Presley’s estate could be successful in arguing Nausanny’s attempt to auction Graceland is fraudulent.

One reason is an affidavit from Kimberly Philbrick, the Florida notary whose name is listed on Naussany’s documents. Philbrick indicated she never met Lisa Marie Presley or notarized any documents for her, according to the lawsuit. The judge said the affidavit brought the signature’s authenticity into question.

On the relevant documents, the signature blocks were not correct and the paperwork references an online notarization option that was not recognized in Florida until 2020, two years after the alleged notarization, Stowell said.

“That makes me wonder if these documents were created after Lisa Marie passed away,” Stowell said. “The whole thing does not pass the smell test.”

Mark Sunderman, a University of Memphis real estate professor, questioned why the lender would foreclose now if it had not received payments years after the loan was issued.

“If someone starts missing payments or hasn’t made a payment, you’re not going to sit around for a couple of years and then say, ‘Golly, I think we need to foreclose now,’” Sunderman said.

The lender’s legitimacy also is in doubt after unsuccessful attempts by The Associated Press to verify its existence beyond an email address and court filing signed by a Gregory Naussany.

Court documents included company addresses in Jacksonville, Florida, and Hollister, Missouri. Both were for post offices, and a Kimberling City, Missouri, reference was for a post office box. The business also is not listed in state databases of registered corporations in Missouri or Florida.

“I’ve never heard of that business,” Kimberling City Clerk Laura Cather said.

A search of online records for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority showed no registration for the company. No representatives of Naussany appeared in court, though the company filed an unsuccessful motion denying the lawsuit’s allegations and opposing the estate’s request for an injunction.

After the sale was halted, Naussany issued a statement saying it would drop its claim because a key document in the case and loan were recorded and obtained in a different state, meaning “legal action would have to be filed in multiple states.” The statement did not specify the other state.

Naussany has not responded to emailed interview requests from the AP. Online court records did not show any legal filings suggesting the claim, or the lawsuit, had been dropped.

Sunderman, the Memphis professor, said that apparently fraudulent claims involving real estate asset disputes arise more often than people think, especially in situations involving inheritances.

“It’s very difficult for someone to say, ‘Well, no, I didn’t take out this loan, I didn’t sign these papers,’ when they’re dead,’” Sunderman said.

Darrell Castle, a Memphis attorney not involved in the case but monitoring it, said he often sees cases where older people are targets of fraud.

“I get cases quite often where people who are really helpless in the final stages of life in a nursing home are financially victimized,” Castle said. “The human mind will think of some way to cheat and steal if it can.”

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said Thursday that his office was looking into the case to determine whether the estate was targeted with fraud.

Skrmetti’s office can investigate and bring civil lawsuits, including in instances of alleged consumer fraud. It could turn over evidence of criminal wrongdoing to the district attorney or federal authorities.

Opened in 1982, Graceland quickly became Memphis’ most famous tourist attraction and a touchstone for fans of Elvis Presley, the singer, actor and fashion icon who died in August 1977 at the age of 42. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock annually to the museum and the large entertainment complex across the street.

Who would target it with a scheme that “fell apart with the first email and phone call, or internet search,” and what holes in the legal system let it got closer to the auction block than it should have, should be the focuses of the attorney general, said Nikos Passas, a Northeastern University criminology and criminal justice professor.

“The chance of succeeding in what they were trying to do — that is, to get the property auctioned off and get the proceeds and then use the money — doesn’t seem to be the actual intent, unless they are incredibly stupid,” Passas said. “So, the question is then, ‘What was the intent, and who was behind it?’”

Mattise reported from Nashville, Tennessee. AP reporter Heather Hollingsworth contributed from Mission, Kansas.