Doc,
In Chuck Norris' book "Against All Odds, my story" chapter 8 tells of becoming a champion and the different, NOW well known instructors and their different martial arts that he trained with.
On page 56 Chuck Norris states "Ed Parker, the father of American kenpo karate (a Chinese martial art) and promoter of the Internationals, spent hours in his studio teaching me his system".
From tournament dates metioned in the book, I am estimating that the time frame for this is in the 1965-67' range.
Were you there for any of this Doc? What would Mr. Parker have been working on with him? Anyone have any Ed Parker/Chuck Norris stories?
Thank you, Teej
Most never fully recognize the far reaching influence of Ed Parker on most of the martial arts community, regardless of style. He literally touched everyone in some manner. Here' s a gem for you sparked by your comment and jogged loose from my memories.
Chuck Norris spent a short time at Ark Wong's Kwoon in LA Chinatown, pretty close to the time Parker ceased regular attendance. Parker had a way of deciphering the information into terms and actions more easily understood in the American Culture. Beause of this, many sought Parker to help them with various aspects of the arts, no matter what style was their primary activity.
Chuck, Tiny Lefiti, Jimmy Woo, Danny Inosanto, Sal Esquevel, John Louis, Richard Nunez, and even Sol Kaihewalu spent time there, along with of course Doug and Curtis Wong. Parker worked with them all.
As for Chuck,although Parker didn't teach him the strict technique-for-technique system, (cause it was very loose at the time anyway), he explored concepts that helped Chuck and the rest all improve what they were doing no matter their art or style.
All of them went on to their respective arts with improved skills and knowledge. Chuck became well known as a tournament champion, and movie star. Jimmy Woo went on to teach various aspects of the Chinese Arts, and even taking some of Parker's first black belts. Danny left to go with Bruce Lee. Tiny hooked up with Tino Tuiolosega (a Parker student), teaching him and adding some aspects of "Splashing Hands" (along with Parker's Kenpo), and founding the first Limalama organization, ably assisted by Richard, Sol, Sal, and John Louis. Later after Tiny passed away, Sal, and Richard broke away from Tino and formed the second Lima Lama organization, while Sol with back to his Lua roots.
The "Parker Tentacles" are everywhere in the American Martial Arts. Which leads me to a classic misunderstanding and correction to Chuck's book. Parker layed claim to the fact that he was the "Father of American Karate," as well as American Kenpo. Although there were others that preceeded him, all of them taught some form of the Asian Arts as cultural transplants. Parker was the first to open a school in America to teach strictly from the American Perspective, an American Version of the Asian Arts.
Thanks for the Jog.
.
