Recommendations of the Editorial team
Merry Christmas from Elvis Presley! In 1965, the King sent Christmas cards to good friends and anyone who might no longer hear him as often (including a few business contacts). Santa Claus could also be seen there. However, it wasn’t just any model hiding behind the costume, but rather his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Both can be seen in a festive setting – Parker in the iconic Santa Claus costume, Presley in a casual rock ‘n’ roll look.
Such cards were no coincidence: in the 1960s, Parker made a concerted effort to anchor Elvis as a cultural brand in people’s minds. Greetings to fan clubs have already been part of this, as have radio specials for the holidays and Christmas singles like “Santa Claus Is Back In Town”.
Why did Colonel Parker dress up as Santa Claus?
The fact that Tom Parker himself appeared as Santa Claus is somehow strange, but also symbolic: Did the dominant manager present himself here as the great controller of the musician who brought the people the gifts (and with it the rock present Elvis Presley)?
A cheerful “We wish you a happy holiday and we are thinking of you,” but at the same time a reminder of who stands behind Elvis and made him who he is.
Or maybe Colonel Tom Parker just loved Christmas. In later years there were several variations of such cards with Parker in the Santa look and Elvis, sometimes even with other characters or pets. They are now sought-after collector’s items among Elvis fans.