Elvis The Martial Artist
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Elvis The King of Rock n Roll Promoted Martial Arts
Do you know Elvis as The King of Rock 'n Roll or as Tiger, the Martial Artist? "Elvis was perhaps one of biggest promoters of the martial arts during their big rise in the United States. Through his fight scenes in his movies, or his on-stage kata-inspired dance routines, Elvis introduced millions to the martial arts. Unlike many celebrities who got into the martial arts for movie roles, or because it was the "in" thing to do, Elvis truly believed in the martial arts and the benefits of martial arts study. ~~James Hom
Contents at a Glance
Elvis Calendar
Just a Hunka Hunka Burnin' Karate-Kickin' Love
- James Hom
- Celebrity Martial Artists, Part 2: The King of Rock 'N Roll Just a Hunka Hunka Burnin' Karate-Kickin' Love Most folks remember Elvis Presley in just a few of his many roles: King of Rock 'n Roll on stage and on the airwaves, baby-faced draftee in the U.S. Army, guitar-toting...
Countdown to Elvis Birthday
Elvis Guitar Pendant Necklace
The Bradford Exchange
Legendary Elvis Guitar Pendant Necklace: Elvis Presley Jewelry Gift by The Bradford Exchange
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Legendary Elvis Presley Jewelry Gift by The Bradford Exchange
Elvis The Black Belt

He started karate in West Germany, earning a 1st degree black belt there. By the time he had come under the tutelage of Master Rhee, Elvis already had a 4th degree black belt.
The KING was a Kenpo practitioner! Elvis had the Kenpo crest on his guitar, and used Kenpo in many of his films (like when he knocked the leopard out in Harem Scareum?)
Elvis Promoter of Martial Arts

You can see it in his films, you can see when he performs onstage. He's always promoting his martial arts training.
"It's not just self defense, it's about...self control, body discipline, and mind discipline...and breath techniques. It involves yoga. It involves meditation. It's an art, not a sport."
~~Elvis Presley
"August 1974 - Elvis gave an explanation of karate in a Vegas show...
"There are a lot of people who know that I have been involved in the art of Karate for some time.
Kung Fu and Karate are the same thing. There's no difference, it's just ah, the Chinese terminology is Kung Fu and Japanese is Ka-ra-te. Kara means open, Te means hand,...Ka-ra-ate.
See, I've been doing this for 16 years. I started when I was in the army, in 1959. I've been doing it every day of my life ever since...for at least two or six hours a day."
Elvis Presley Gladiators: The 1974 Elvis Karate Legacy Project
Elvis' Passion for Martial Arts
'Tiger' was Elvis' Pasa Ryu karate nickname, the name Kang Rhee had given him (famous golfer Tiger Woods is named in honor of Elvis' karate name).
- Elvis and the martial arts
- Information and photographs relating to Elvis Presley's longtime passion for the martial arts.
- Tiger Man Links
- Comprehensive Links to Web resources related to Elvis Presley, the martial artist.
- Elvis & Karate by Kang Rhee
- Elvis Presley loved karate. I'm Kang Rhee. I was his teacher.
- Photos
- Elvis was a karate enthusiast ever since he learned the basic moves of martial arts defense during his army years. He received his first black belt in 1960, and would display his skills i
- FightingArts.com -
- Treasure Of 70s Film Footage Recovered: Includes Elvis Sponsored Karate Film
Check Out These Elvis Gifts on eBay
'Tiger'
was Elvis' Pasa Ryu karate nickname, the name Kang Rhee had given him (famous golfer Tiger Woods is named in honor of Elvis' karate name).
Elvis Presley Tiger Man
Even more than his "waist up" appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the "sit down" segment of Elvis's 1968 comeback special was by far his most powerful appearance on television. Proof that Elvis could still rock, it was also only his third live performance since 1957. This seminal rock & roll moment, with Elvis surrounded by Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana, was actually two separate sessions taped two hours apart. The first session, along with rehearsals, appears on Memories: The `68 Comeback Special. However, it's always been the second session, the 8 p.m. show, unreleased in its entirety until the appearance now of Tiger Man, that's lived in popular legend as one of the great undiscovered treasures of his oeuvre. An again confident Elvis really cuts loose here, launching into scorching versions of early classics. "That's All Right," "Heartbreak Hotel" (where he has to stop to catch his breath and remember the lyrics), and "Blue Suede Shoes" have all the fire that first made him such an arresting phenomenon. But it's the title cut, which was spliced into the TV special's second showing in August 1969, that is the showstopper. This disc instantly becomes one of the cornerstones of any Elvis collection. --Robert Baird
Tiger Man
Amazon Price: $34.39 (as of 05/31/2012)![]()
Used Price: $3.42
A heavily recommended album for hardcore Elvis lovers, or anyone who gets off on stripped-down acoustic rock and blues.
The Title Cut - Tiger Man
"It's the title cut, which was spliced into the TV special's second showing in August 1969, that is the showstopper. This disc instantly becomes one of the cornerstones of any Elvis collection."
~~Robert Baird
Elvis Presley Tiger Man From iTunes
| Track | Artist | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Man (Second 'Sit-Down' Show) | Elvis Presley | The Complete '68 Comeback Special (The 40th Anniversary Edition) | |
| Tiger Man (Second Rehearsal) | Elvis Presley | The Complete '68 Comeback Special (The 40th Anniversary Edition) | |
| Tiger Man | Elvis Presley | Platinum - A Life In Music | |
| Tiger Man (Live) | Elvis Presley | Tiger Man (Live) |
Do You Have A Story About Elvis & Martial Arts?
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Post your comments and stories about Elvis here.
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TapIn2U Jan 16, 2012 @ 1:41 pm | delete
- He really did love karate! Amazing lens! Sundae ;-)
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Michael Barnett
Feb 4, 2009 @ 11:07 am | delete
- Elvis gave me a t.c.b. bear hug after shooting harrum scarrum.
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CardLady Sep 4, 2008 @ 1:54 am | delete
- The acronym TCB
Presley and his friends and employees also adopted the acronym TCB which meant "Taking Care of Business". Presley officially named his band the TCB Band, had the tail of his private jet painted with the initials "TCB" and a lightning bolt and gave away TCB gold chain necklaces as gifts.[6]
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Johnny Foster
Sep 1, 2008 @ 8:16 pm | delete
- I was Elvis Driver From London Town Limo Sev first I started working for Elvis As A Driver In St.Louis Thru Jed's Limo Sevice around oct,10 1969
and was with him Till he passed away in 1977.Elvis Gave Me A T.C.B.
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Karatepat
Aug 12, 2008 @ 1:58 am | delete
- I did Karate with Elvis Presley,thru the sherman oaks Karate stuido owned by chuch Norris : Elvis ,Davis Stanley & Sonny West We all did Karate,Bill Waiiace,,,,,,Ed Parker, Dave Helber
Elvis Gave me a T.L.C. Karatepat thats what he called ME !
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greggers
Jun 27, 2008 @ 10:11 am | delete
- Martial Arts was one of Elvis' passions, and he did more to bring it to the attention of Americans than he usually gets credit for. Very cool! Nice job!
Greggers
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Joan4
Aug 14, 2008 @ 4:34 pm | delete
- Nice lens! I well-remember that "waist-up only" Ed Sullivan show! Thanks for memory-lane. Elvis was an amazing talent!
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by CardLady
I'm a big Elvis fan and also a martial arts fan..
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