by Timothy Edward Jones

Created on: February 16, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

Performers, especially music artists, all have a team of dedicated behind-the-scenes people working feverishly to ensure their artist is the best and most popular. Elvis Presley is no different.

Elvis had a great talent for performing. He was a mezmerizing stage artist as well as emaculate in the recording studio. But Elvis had a great secret weapon on his side. Colonel Tom Parker, one of the best promotions and marketing persons of his time sold Elvis to the masses. He ensured Elvis's popularity and success. Parker was an opportunist with a good eye, and ear, for a great product. And Elvis was indeed a product in Parker's way of thinking.

Aside from Tom Parker, Sun Records' founder Sam Philips also recognized a tremendous talent in Presley. Philips'masterful music recording and producing knowledge was the catalyst for Elvis's first mass success. But this was just the beginning of one artist's oddessey in the world of commercial music.

Elvis did have amazing raw talent for music. But, without a professional team of producers, musicians, PR agents, marketing people, etc., etc., he might not have been as influencial as he continues to be. Even now, 30 years after his death, Presley still has a marketing team in place creating new products and releasing CD's under the name Elvis Enterprises.

Yes, Elvis is the King of Rock and Roll, but he could have remained a prince or a duke if not for the behind-the-scenes team pushing a product called Elvis.

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