Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Rainbow Light]

Chuck Norris - Elvis, Priscilla, martial arts and me
By: Chuck Norris - Sep 12, 2007
Source: WorldNetDaily

With the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death Aug. 16, I thought I'd take a little walk down memory lane when I visited the king one night in Las Vegas and taught Priscilla martial arts in Southern California.

The king and karate

Like myself, it appears Elvis was introduced to the world of self defense while in the military. He would study many styles under many different ethnic instructors throughout his life. In 1959 he started as a student under German Juerge Seydel (a Shokotan sensei), then was mentored under Japanese Teugio Murakami (a Shokotan master), Korean Kang Rhee (Sa-Ryu TaeKwon Do Grandmaster), Americans Hank Slemansky (a Chito Ryu stylist) and Ed Parker (the founder of American Kenpo – who would remain his lifelong teacher) and Filipino Dan Inosanto (later Bruce Lee's student), under whom Elvis would eventually earn his black belt.

Over the next decade and a half, Elvis was awarded advancing black belt degrees, and in time was granted an honorary 7th degree black belt. He even opened his own martial arts school back in Memphis, "The Tennessee Karate Institute", where Bill Wallace was the chief instructor.

Elvis' love for martial arts permeated his career in music and movies, where he'd often demonstrate his self-defense moves. I'll never forget seeing him perform in Las Vegas (which I'll detail in a moment), where he kicked, punched, postured and even did the splits holding his guitar in hand!

Several of his films demonstrate the influence of karate in his life, including 'G.I. Blues', 'Wild in the Country', 'Blue Hawaii', 'Kid Galahad', 'Follow that Dream', 'Double Trouble', 'Harum Scarum' and 'Flaming Star'.

Teaching Priscilla martial arts

While they were still married, Priscilla called me to say she wanted to study karate with me. We had been introduced by Ed Parker at a tournament. I asked her why she didn't study with Ed, to which she replied, "Ed can't teach me because he is Elvis' private trainer as well as his personal bodyguard." So I agreed and taught her at my Sherman Oaks martial arts studio.

Priscilla came to her private lesson wearing a gi (a martial arts training uniform). She worked hard, and I soon discovered she was serious about her training. We would start her lessons with stretching exercises to loosen and warm up the muscles. She was quick to learn some basic kicks. Priscilla had studied ballet, which gave her an edge over many students, because she was already limber and able to execute high kicks with ease. Within a month she was able to kick anywhere I directed with force and precision.

When we started free-style sparring (a free exchange of blows, blocks and counterattacks until a cleanly executed assault to a vital point is made), I tried to put a boxer's head-guard on her. Although most students welcomed the face protection, Priscilla scorned it. I remember her responding as she rejected the offer to wear it, "I won't have one of these on in the streets." Once she even insisted on going out in the alley behind the studio to work out with the high-heeled shoes, because she said that was what she usually wore.

Priscilla has many of the qualities I value in a person. She is open and has a positive attitude toward life. She was a great reflection in yesteryear of what we see today – women training and competing with equal diligence and fortitude to men. From her training onward, I've expected top results from both my male and female students. In fact, in my World Combat League, women are among the fiercest competitors.

Viva Las Vegas!

After one of her private lessons, Priscilla invited Bob Wall (my karate studio partner) and me to Las Vegas to watch Elvis perform at the Hilton Hotel. We gladly accepted the invitation. This would be the first time I met Elvis in person. I'll never forget sitting in the front booth with Priscilla at that dinner show and being captivated by his charisma and showmanship.

Afterwards Elvis invited us up to his suite, where we talked until 4:00 in the morning. At first I thought, "What are we going to talk about?" I knew nothing about music, but I knew I could talk about martial arts all night long! And we did! I was impressed with his self defense insight and devotion. Even after two shows earlier that evening, Elvis stayed to the early morning hours shooting the breeze with us. That was a special night for all of us, which I'll never forget.

Elvis was a real nice, down-to-earth guy, who made you feel in a few hours like you had known him forever. I still enjoy his music and films. I wasn't always a big fan of his morality, but then I wasn't always a big fan of mine.

I hope, despite his struggles near the end, that Elvis too made peace with God, believing those gospel truths as well as he belted them out as a singer. God's amazing grace is still all sufficient, able to forgive us all of all we've done wrong, even those king-sized vices. When we ask Him to do so, as Elvis sang, we too can sing, "O happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away."

Despite some personal objections to his lifestyle, no one can doubt Elvis' musical and theatrical genius, creativity and magnetism as a performer. And as far as his martial arts abilities, he truly was pretty impressive, flexible and tough. He may not have been a Bruce Lee, me or other notables in the field of professional competition, but then again have you ever heard about any of our singing careers?
© Copyright by Elvis Australia

[MaryInTheMorning]

Thanks for posting this article for us my sweet friend. It was very interesting to read. The only thing that I didn't really like or should I say agree with that Chuck said was this part right here: "I hope, despite his struggles near the end, that Elvis too made peace with God, believing those gospel truths as well as he belted them out as a singer. "

Elvis most certainly WHOLEHEARTEDLY believed in every word he sang in all of his beautiful Gospel songs. Every note of all of those songs came from the depth of his precious heart and soul and his love for, and trust and belief in his Lord are very evident. If not, he would not have been able to belt them out with the amount of conviction that he did. Other than that part, I think it was nice to read.

[Wanda June Hill]

Yeah, well he wouldn't have had Pris for a student if Elvis hadn't approved and recommended him as a teacher.
And as for the "honorary" 7th degree- It's really strange how other people who were in that dojo (and NOT his employee/friends) and who were around during those many days say Elvis earned that degree and was extremely fast, vicious and had a killer instinct which he used when competing. He was very proud of his degrees-felt that he had earned them and regretted that his physical health prevented him from continuing in the manner he wished. He got his 8th degree if I remember correctly and was proud of that, he had a bummed up hand from competition that was swollen and purple and he said he might have broken some bones but he didn't want it cast because he was performing on stage and needed his hand. It was pretty ugly but he still used it...and it was that way for at least 3 weeks because I saw shows from all three-not like every night but about 5 days out of those weeks.
His hand was still black and blue on closing night.
I guess it doesn't hurt to exploit some things when one is still rounding up money to make films-huh? wjh

[Blue Moon]

Thanks Wanda for offering your perspective on Elvis' karate. :D

I didn't really like or should I say agree with that Chuck said was this part right here: "I hope, despite his struggles near the end, that Elvis too made peace with God, believing those gospel truths as well as he belted them out as a singer. "

Elvis most certainly WHOLEHEARTEDLY believed in every word he sang in all of his beautiful Gospel songs. Every note of all of those songs came from the depth of his precious heart and soul and his love for, and trust and belief in his Lord are very evident. If not, he would not have been able to belt them out with the amount of conviction that he did. Other than that part, I think it was nice to read.

I agree with you here Mari! We know from so many stories how often Elvis turned to God for strength. And certainly he had a lifetime of generosity. It bothers me that many in the church judge Elvis because he didn't wear the "pillar facade". Sure he made mistakes but who hasn't. His are just much more out in the open for people to see. Yet his heart was a big heart; the kind which extended much love and forgiveness. Is that not one of primary messages of the gospel -- to LOVE one another?!

[Rainbow Light]

I'm really sorry, I feel I've offended people by putting this up, sorry if so!

I do agree with what you say above, Wanda, Laurie and Mari for sure!

I'll just have to look harder for things that are more positive to our Elvis' name and memory in future, I don't necessarily believe and agree with everything that's posted here that I find but interesting from the feedback and perspective point of view I guess?!

Sorry for any upset and/or offence caused!

[Sarena]

Sorry for any upset and/or offence caused!

Sue, you don't have to apologize!! There are some interesting points in Norris' words and how he feels about Evis is just his own (version of truth).

We here on ELC are "wise" enough to just pick out the things we want to add to our memory-file, that's my opinion!

[Rainbow Light]

Thanks, Sarena!

[MaryInTheMorning]

Oh my goodness. I think it is I who should be apologizing to you dearest Sue. I certainly did not mean to criticize what you posted or make you feel badly dear one. If I did do that in any way, shape or form, I am SO VERY sorry. Please forgive me. In my previous post, all I wanted to do was say that I think that Chuck was somewhat "off" so to speak in what his perception of Elvis was considering what we know about him and how much God and singing about Him meant to him(Elvis). You in no way upset or offended me at all. Unfortunately, we aren't always going find positive things written about this precious man that lived on this earth for too short a time. Even with that being so, it is still interesting to read different people's points of view even if I personally feel that they may be a little "off."

[Blue Moon]

Sue, there are many positive things about Elvis written in the above article, so please don't feel bad. There are lots of basically positive articles written about Elvis which may also have some points of disagreement here with us at ELC. And if so, we can point them out, and give others food for thought.
I know the general theme here at ELC is supposed to be a positive one but that doesn't mean it has to be like corn syrup.

You are doing great Sue with all of the new material you keep coming up with. Don't know how you do it actually. It was so hard to keep all the posts fresh and alive when you were gone. I'm am so glad you are back with us!

[Wanda June Hill]

Hey no way Sue! I think everything should be posted about Elvis with good and "bad" too, because that way we can take a look at it and judge for ourselves the merit of what they say. Most everything is good anyway, I just didn't appreciate Norris' sanctamonious attitude about how he thought she was etc; and then Elvis was "given an honorary 7th degree" -meaning he wasn't good, wasn't dedicated but they gave it to him because HE was Elvis...that was how I took it and I think how he meant it...and he of course being who he is-should know these things period-so who would question it? Especially since the guys back him up on some of it.
Priscilla did not do so hot at her Karate moves on the Crystal Light commercial-and it wasn't me that noticed it the first few times. It was another guy who was into Karate and who laughed at how stiff she appeared. I said then, well, I imagine she's done that at least 15 times trying to get it down as they want it and by now maybe she is stiff and tired out-we don't know. He just laughed and said, yeah-sure cut her some slack. He didn't like her because she broke Elvis' heart-and he didn't even know him! Lots of men feel that way I guess-they think she's pretty, but she hurt the man! Anyway I like all the posts. so don't censor or toss 'em out okay? wjh

[MaryInTheMorning]

Sue, there are many positive things about Elvis written in the above article, so please don't feel bad. There are lots of basically positive articles written about Elvis which may also have some points of disagreement here with us at ELC. And if so, we can point them out, and give others food for thought.
I know the general theme here at ELC is supposed to be a positive one but that doesn't mean it has to be like corn syrup.

You are doing great Sue with all of the new material you keep coming up with. Don't know how you do it actually. It was so hard to keep all the posts fresh and alive when you were gone. I'm am so glad you are back with us!

AMEN!!! AMEN!!! AMEN!! My heart is in complete accord with what you said here dear Laurie.

[Rainbow Light]

Many thanks, ladies! I guess I was just having a 'touchy' day is all and I really appreciate all your kind words and understanding!

I can see your points of view also as most valid and it certainly goes for a good discussion point if nothing else, doesn't it?!

Always most interested and like to read what everyone so openly and willingly contributes to this site/forum in all forms!

[MaryInTheMorning]

[Rainbow Light]