Elvis's mother, Gladys, was initially skeptical of Colonel Tom Parker when he first came to manage her son. She was concerned that Parker was a con artist and that he would take advantage of Elvis. However, Parker eventually won Gladys over with his charm and his promises to make Elvis a star. Gladys came to see Parker as a father figure to Elvis, and she trusted him implicitly.
However, Gladys's opinion of Parker began to change in the years leading up to her death in 1958. She became increasingly concerned about the way Parker was controlling Elvis's career and his personal life. She felt that Parker was isolating Elvis from his friends and family, and she worried that he was taking advantage of him financially.
Gladys's concerns about Parker were not unfounded. Parker was a complex and controversial figure. He was a shrewd businessman who was able to negotiate some of the most lucrative contracts in the history of show business. However, he was also a shady character with a checkered past. He was rumored to be involved in organized crime, and he was accused of embezzling money from Elvis.
Despite her concerns, Gladys never came out publicly against Parker. She knew that Elvis loved and trusted him, and she didn't want to do anything that would jeopardize their relationship. However, her death in 1958 was a major blow to Elvis, and it is possible that it contributed to his own decline and death in 1977.
In the years since Elvis's death, Parker has been the subject of much criticism. Some people believe that he was responsible for Elvis's downfall, while others believe that he was simply a victim of circumstance. However, there is no doubt that Parker played a major role in Elvis's life and career. He was a complex and controversial figure, but he was also a key figure in the history of rock and roll.