Tommy Sands the prototype Elvis
Before Elvis, The Colonel managed Tommy Sands. Their trips to stardom were almost identical – Tommy Sands the prototype Elvis.
Podcast – listen again…
Tommy Sands the Prototype Elvis
To hear the radio show, Tommy Sands the prototype Elvis
Author of Rock’n’Roll Unravelled, Derek Shelmerdine‘s
guest segment, Elvis Presley Unravelled
on The Mop Tops & The King radio show.
First broadcast during the week: 14 to 20 July 2023.
Syndicated on over 100 radio stations around the world.
weekly schedule – times and stations
Tommy Sands the Colonel’s prototype Elvis
Before Colonel Parker managed Elvis Presley, he managed another up-and-coming rock’n’roller, Tommy Sands.
There are so many similarities, Tommy Sands and Elvis’s rise to fame were almost identical.
Elvis was two years older than Tommy Sands. They were very similar in appearance. Both played the guitar, loved country music and had religious backgrounds.
Tommy Sands was a featured performer on Louisiana Hayride by the time he was twelve years old. Elvis also established his reputation on the show.
BOTH RECORDED ON INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS
Before they met the Colonel, they both released singles on independent record labels.
In 1951, Little Tommy Sands released Syrup Soppin’ Blues c/w Love Pains on the Freedom label. The single was put out as “Little Tommy Sands (The West’s Wonder Boy)”. Elvis, of course, was at Sun Records.
On 1 January 1955, Elvis and Tommy Sands played on the same bill at a show in Houston Texas.
After Colonel Parker became Elvis’s exclusive manager, he still helped Tommy Sands to secure a lead role In the 1957 TV drama, The Singing Idol.
A more detailed history – Tommy Sands, Elvis and The Colonel
Rock’n’Roll Unravelled – the book
Written by Derek Shelmerdine, Rock’n’Roll Unravelled tells the story of rock’n’roll from its roots to 1970s punk. Not just the music but also the influences such as the Vietnam War and Civil Rights struggle.
Rock’n’Roll Unravelled‘s unique three-part structure
Timeline – On This Day – Pocket Histories
brings the music and times of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s vividly to life.
