Elvis & Karate Was He Any Good At It?

Well, I went to see the new Elvis movie last week and I think I was possessed by the spirit of the King. So I made this here video. Just having a little fun with my Elvis impression. Don't worry, I ain't a-fixin' to give up my day job anytime soon!
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#elvispresley #elvis #elviskarate #karate #martialarts #bullshido #fakemartialarts

[@forrestsaxon3707]

Great Karate Man… I practice Kenpo as well

[@paulgone6245]

Same here

[@SherrieTraweek]

I was happy to hear Elvis's early training was in Shotokan. I competed in Khan Rhee's tournaments during the 80's and literally ran into Bill Wallace in a doorway. Would've loved to spar with Elvis!

[@chadriley9993]

At night before chuck Norris goes to bed he checks his closet for Elvis

[@creightonfreeman8059]

The video of Elvis's technique speaks for itself. Ed Parker was more diplomatic than I could have been. When he found out I played guitar and sang he brought up Elvis (This was after a workshop at the Tracy's Karate studio in Parma Hts., OH around 1985.) I asked him if Elvis was a good Karateka, since I had not seen any video of him training at that time. Mr. Parker said something like, "Well, Elvis was better at karate than I am at singing", which didn't completely clarify the situation, since I had never heard Ed Parker sing. I understand why an instructor would want a star like Elvis as a student, but giving away belts like that denigrates karate, and is why a lot of the MMA guys and the public think karate is a joke. I worked and sweat and bled for seven years to get my FIRST degree black belt. I guess it wasn't Parker who gave Elvis the 7th Dan, but regardless it is pathetic. This sort of thing is why I went to training Chinese martial arts that have no belt ranking system. I enjoyed seeing a young Bill Wallace in the video though. btw, nice voice! Also, I am interested in Ueichi Ryu because from what I have seen its technique is closer to Chinese martial arts/ Fujian WHite Crane, than many other karate styles. I hope you have some technique videos posted here, especially Ueichi Ryu's version of SanChin. If I was nearer I would come check you out in person.

[@AlCloutier]

Thank you for your interesting comments! I agree that ranking has become somewhat devalued these days. If you ever visit Hawaii, you're welcome to come train with us. 🙇‍♂️

[@Invisibleindreamsonly]

Chuck Norris respected and thought that Elvis was very good at the arts. Also Ed Parker and numerous other karate talents thought that Elvis clearly was excellent at the arts. Anything that Elvis put his mind to he excelled in and would usually go to the top!! I personally watched several videos of Elvis doing Karate and you can clearly see he knew how to handle himself.

[@josepaulasantos4482]

I am myself a martial arts practitioner. Elvis was an outstanding singer and performer; he was an ok martial arts practitioner; not sure he was a black belt; but very sure he wasn't a 7th degree one!

[@AlCloutier]

Thanks for the comments! I would have to agree with you.

[@WayneStaniland-od3mz]

Didn't Elvis achieve his first black belt in the army?

[@MiloudBengrigra]

Thank you sir .❤❤❤❤youre thé best elvis friend .yes he was good becose mer ed Parker Said thé same thing about elvis karate❤so there is no doubt with that thank you so much .we love you alls elvis friends youre thé réal men.

[@chrysagontargaryen1895]

You talk like Elvis sing like Elvis, you look like John Wayne and you are a black belt! That is one hell of a accommodation thank you for sharing👍👍

[@AlCloutier]

Hahaha 😆 that's funny, man! Thank you. Thank you very much!

[@brichardsfourty]

I was very very happy that I got to train with Jeff Speakman’s, which was taught by ed Parker who taught Jeff Speakman’s and thought the king of rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis Presley, and even world-famous Bruce Lee so I am very freaking happy to know that I can fight exactly like Bruce Lee not lying

[@CyaKid]

what year did you train with Bruce Lee?

[@rong805]

There should be a nice combination of fight scene footage, if YT allows it, from his movies to show he was pretty agile and always had a good right hand, and always made it look real enough for a movie anyway.

[@AlCloutier]

Thanks for your input. Maybe in another video if I get the chance!

[@jonathanlevens5805]

Cool stuff. Thank you very much 😎

[@erictoro6519]

No one can say whether he was good or not because nobody knew what was on Elvis mind or how determined he was when he was alive. That being said. He loved the Martial arts and he did learned some moves that helped him look good inn. His performance. On his tours Because those moves were legit moves when he was energetic. His . karate. performance was truly legit . And inn my opinion he was not the king of martial arts but he was a martial artist . Whether people like to believe it or not. It's just hard to believe when they watch him drugged .and how slow he was on his video but . He was not a mc dojo guy. But I think to really get real evidence he was truly a martial artist. Or not. Just reach and speak to the people he knew that he trained with to know. A KZbin video is not going to give you the answers. One has to do true research and talk to the people Elvis Presley knew . But inn my opinion he did have martial arts training. Wasn't he inn the army. Too ? Many guys that joined the US service opened up their own dojos after they served. .but Elvis just stuck to music and the love of martial arts. And got into it. Because he liked what he learned. While serving. Is what I see. .so there shouldn't be any doubt he knew it and wasn't lien to any body. It's cool to bust bullshito by KZbin content makers. Now and that is what drives this narrative into peoples soft Brain that Elvis couldn't be a true martial artist . But he was it's just the drugs he got into later inn his career messed that up . . Nice video 👍🏻.

[@rong805]

I think, in all reality, he was more like a legit brown belt. He was in good shape in the 60's, for the most part and his movie fight scenes were always fun to watch. Getting into the 70's, with the increased drug use, all the rest of his moving up to 8th degree black belt, I think was more ceremonial. The footage from '74 proves that.

[@ericbryant-dz8mj]

Elvis was no martial artist, he never entered tournaments are sparred in fear of getting hurt

[@ransomedavis2208]

i disagree if you are a martial artist yourself you can tell who is good or bad because you know the standard. im a 3rd dan black belt, elvis was comedic to put it bluntly, shockingly bad and high as a kite too.

[@ransomedavis2208]

mate drugs was on elvis mind. im a former instructor and to allow someome in his state to even attend a training session let alone teach the dam session is absolutely ridiculous and should be asamed of themselves and that goes for bill wallace too.really letting the etho,s of true martial arts down.

[@danielmoore1232]

The only thing I ever read about Elvis's abilities in Kenpo was that apparently when Elvis would spar, Ed would pull Elvis's opponent aside and say something to the effect of, "This IS Elvis we're talking about here. Don't hit him in the face. We can't be marking up Elvis's face."

[@AlCloutier]

Thank you for your comments! It sounds very probable.

[@danielmoore1232]

@AlCloutier cool channel man! I just subscribed.

[@gregsakis6510]

Very good video, thank you for sharing! 😊

[@AlCloutier]

Thanks for the very kind comments!!

[@user-xw9do8yb6n]

I believe when Elvis when did Elvis got older he wasn't as healthy as when he was young but I know it is prime you could take care of himself in his younger years he was very good at karate not so much when he got older wasn't as healthy what Elvis could take care of himself in his prime

[@vigulfmusicproduct]

1:28 He's Grey Hair Life Gard 16.June 1977!

[@TheWolfDen808]

Very enjoyable video on Elvis's MA background.

[@wyldvigilante]

Ed Parker gave him HONARY rank in appreciation for the financial support Elvis provided for team USA that Ed Parker had put together. At this time Ed Parker also received a Cadillac from Elvis. This last part is more my personal opinion. I believe Elvis was more of an enthusiastic fan than a real practitioner but everyone around him played along .

[@tonemarieantonsen1597]

Its hard to judge if he was good ,because at this point his health had started to decline and wasn't in a good shape. He surely had the philosophy and techniques, but lack flow,speed and smoothness .Just my observation .🙂

[@ransomedavis2208]

stop talking whack, are you yourself a martial artist ? are you a black belt ? if so then you will know he is darn rubbish and high as a kite which even goes against all principles of martial arts training

[@goldenneedle5980]

Spent some time talking to Ed Parker personally about Elvis. Mr. Parker described him to me as ‘ok’. Of course as Master Parker was always interested in promoting Kenpo whenever he could, he welcomed Elvis into the fold with open arms

[@AlCloutier]

Thanks for the comments and information!

[@MistyMountainVideo]

"If" that is true, and Ed Parker promoted Elvis to a ridiculous rank to promote his style of Kenpo, well, that's just sad.

[@wyldvigilante]

@@MistyMountainVideoIt was an “HONARY “ 8 th degree in return for the financial support of the karate team Ed Parker put together to compete as team USA Ed Parker also received a Cadillac from Elvis at this time.

[@ilonapeppler2833]

Übersetzung bitte

[@rustyshackleford4822]

If he ever was good at it he wasn’t at this point. He’s high as a kite and it looks like he had an IV removed. He did do a lot of McDojo stuff last Chi manipulation and I think he was getting the celebrity treatment with the red belt although Alice Cooper would disagree but it’s easy to beat up somebody who has no fighting skills.

[@AlCloutier]

Thanks for your comments!!!

[@NickyMetropolis1313]

Hank Slomanski. Elvis was blackbelt in 1960. This small film was the late 70s and sadly yes the drugs seem to have taken over. EP still a main promoter of the art live and in films

[@markmurphy4056]

That was a six WEEK course, you don't get a Black Belt in less than 4 years.

[@NickyMetropolis1313]

@@markmurphy4056 Actually that's not true. Martial arts history is filled with people who got a black belt in less than 4 yrs It depends on how often you train and progress. If you train every day for example you can get it sooner potentially. But take it up with the Tracy Kenpo people. Al Tracy. Kenpo legend wrote the article. "...And prove it Elvis did. He was awarded his coveted black belt after six weeks of persistent suffering inflicted by Hank Slomanski, and anyone who knew the principals in this little drama knew there could be no favoritism involved. It should also be noted that Elvis was only one of a handful of civilians to whom Hank ever awarded “Black Belt”. The word came back from Hank to my instructor, Ed Parker, about Elvis: “The kid ain’t pretty, but he’s tough and he’s a Black Belt."

[@peaceprayer595]

Elvis is one of my all time favorite entertainers. If Elvis was a Black Belt by any other measure than his celebrity connections, I'm the Queen of Rock N Roll!

[@AlCloutier]

It's all in the hips.

[@peaceprayer595]

LOL...@@AlCloutier

[@Lessonswithsenseimatt]

Thank you this is awesome 😎

[@AlCloutier]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Lessonswithsenseimatt]

The History is Awesome 😎

[@DugeHick]

@Örtendahl Peter Nobody would dare to correct Elvis:) If we honest to ourselves, yes it looks absolutely idiotic. One of Karate's philosophy is to self improve. Even author of that video is overweight and out of shape. In USA belts not earned, they are basically given with very little effort as motivation to continue paying to martial art school. I've see it in every USA school. Im sure Elvis was no exception, plus it was Elvis! Why would you exclude Elvis from your school, its a great advertisement.

[@clamshell6863]

Elvis was frail at the end. He got sucked the life of him. That bastard Colonel Parker was a monster. What a talent only to be manipulated by a bloodsucking greedy agent who benefited his success by leeching off his maker. Elvis was the real deal. Great voice and performer until his death. So sad he died so young. He was a tortured soul.

[@jimmyglover2775]

I’m an Orange belt in Kenpo, and Elvis looks like he’s making some of these “techniques” up. Some of them look legit but he is not a black belt level for sure. We also don’t teach anything about “using our chi.” To push people over with our throats. I think a lot of this was bull to be honest. It makes legitimate kenpo karate people look fake.

[@AlCloutier]

Exactly.

[@jeffchristopherson3867]

I hate fake martial artists and he was one of the biggest fakes. He bought his black belt. He's techniques speak for themselves.

[@AlCloutier]

You don't have to hate him anymore. He's been dead a long time now. He died on the shitter while taking a crap. Not a very noble death. I agree. His technique was sloppy as hell.

[@titofsan31]

J'aime beaucoup Elvis, mais faut quand même pas déconner non plus. Il aussi crédible en karaté que Francis N'ganou en danseuse étoile 🌟...

[@stephenkane9630]

Outstanding......easily the best technique i have ever seen.

[@ransomedavis2208]

idiot that knows nothing clearly.

[@CyaKid]

How much training have you had to come to that conclusion?

[@ransomedavis2208]

@@CyaKid myself if you mean me, 35 yrs, karate, kickboxing, muay thai, lau gar, krav maga, judo and boxing, ive also trained and dparred with european and world champions. lets just say im more than qaulified to know a martial artist when i see one, this is very low standard. if your refering to stephenkane then please proceed i agree with you,

[@joeschmo1440]

My opinion is that Elvis took karate for multiple purposes. To improve his body's ability to dance. A martial artist learns to move his body in ways that can transfer into new or better dance routines. Martial arts teaches an entertainer how to physically interact with another person up close when you can do this well. The audience becomes your spectators at the dojo. Elvis was singing and dancing 🕺 his martial arts to his crowd of men in the dojo and a few special moves for all the beautiful ladies in the crowd wondering if Elvis was truly and only " I just want to be your teddy bear!! The King!

[@MistyMountainVideo]

Just my humble opinion. So, Hmmm.... 15 years, 7th dan. And all that free time to train while recording, touring, movies, drug use, etc... I'm calling it Elvis McDojo. This is a great example why I don't buy into ranks or belts for many. (Especially for me) Obvious notable exceptions in the 'traditional' Okinawan arts of those who have trained MANY more years and did not profess to hold these kind of ranks in such a ridiculous short period of time. Hell, I can't ever recall hearing Bruce Lee give himself any title or rank and he passed away at a much younger age than Elvis did. I wonder what his rank would be had he studied Uechi-ryu in a legit organization. Can you imagine him trying to bribe one of the great Uechi masters on Okinawa with a car for rank? If this is all true, and I suspect it may well be, it lowers even more my lack of admiration for Elvis Presley. And what I mean is, I totally acknowledge his voice, stage presence, and I liked him a lot as a kid watching his movies. (Never realizing at that age that he really wasn't that good at it) But when I got older, and I also served in a tank unit in Germany, I started making fun of his "GI Blues" persona and took issue with his "King of Rock and Roll" title. While granted, he himself didn't give himself that title, but he didn't write or play his "hits". The guitar was a prop. His onstage performances were great, no doubt and it inspired a lot of white artists to get influenced by the black artists who created the sound. But King? No! Again, just IMHO. I am definitely not bashing him as a performer. But to me, that's what he was, just a Performer. I would even say a Great Performer. Other than his unique voice and stage presence, I don't believe he had the musical talent nor the karate skills of a legit 7th degree who probably had to Constantly train for about 30+ years to "Earn" the rank. So... Elvis fanatics... Let the bashing begin!

[@AlCloutier]

Thanks for the well thought out reply. I have to generally agree. Did you see the recent movie that just came out?

[@MistyMountainVideo]

@@AlCloutier No I haven't and don't plan to unless it's free somewhere and I have nothing better to do. There was an Elvis bio in 2005 on TV I believe I saw. I am glad you covered his MA story though. I knew he was into Kenpo under Ed Parker and wore a black belt, but I had no idea about the rank and if true, well that's just sad. Reminds me of that new meme on FB going around where the lady tells her friends her 7yo is a black belt and the other lady is holding the dogs mouth closed. I am sure you've seen it. If not, I will try and find it again and forward it to you on FB.

[@AlCloutier]

@@MistyMountainVideo yeah, I saw that meme too. 🤣 it's not really funny, but it's better to laugh than cry, I guess.

[@MistyMountainVideo]

@@AlCloutier oops, sent it to your fb page and just saw this now. More of an eye roll meme.

[@tonemarieantonsen1597]

@@MistyMountainVideo Would highly recommend the new Elvis movie .🙂

[@glengarey9789]

Elvis was a legitimate black belt,but he was not a 7th degree black belt. He was awarded that because of who he was. He definitely could handle himself quit well.

[@AlCloutier]

Thanks for the input 👍

[@maexpert11]

I'd say he was atleast a black belt I don't know how much his higher ranks were actually rank of if it was entirely honorary which is what I am leaning towards but I bet at a better time he was probably pretty good by time the gladiator video was made you could tell by seeing him in that video he was high so I don't know if I'd judge based on that video

[@AlCloutier]

Thanks for your comments! Yes, it's sad that he was surrounded by so many enablers. 😢

[@ericbryant-dz8mj]

He never even sparred, he was never in any tournaments, he was given his belts

[@brichardsfourty]

Elvis Presley was flawless in Kenpo karate

[@CyaKid]

That's not what I have been told.

[@peaceprayer595]

If Elvis is a legit black belt I"m the Queen of Rock N Roll.@@CyaKid

[@fredschroer1414]

Ummmmmmmmm, no.

[@Paleotech1]

BS

[@peaceprayer595]

If Elvis was a Black Belt by any other measure than his celebrity connections, I'm the Queen of Rock N Roll!

[@hallsjuju2400]

He had terrible form.

[@AlCloutier]

I have to agree

[@reneemarais431]

@@AlCloutier the men in my family does shorin ryu karate and I watch many karatekas at competitions and gradings, Elvis is terrible....🤪. Would have loved to see him do a kata.

[@AlCloutier]

@@reneemarais431 he was a great singer and performer. Karateka? Not so much.

[@corkystorky]

i don't think he's that good, it's all marketing

[@peaceprayer595]

I can assure you if Elvis was a Black Belt by any other measure than his celebrity connections, I'm the Queen of Rock N Roll!

[@markauckland666]

He was terrible, if you seen the clips then it obvious

[@ransomedavis2208]

did you spot him talking to the legend bill superfoot wallace ? it looks like bill was simply looking at him thinking wtf you really think you can teach me anything lol

[@markauckland666]

@@ransomedavis2208 i honestly find it one of the funniest things i have ever seen, i watch it every few weeks, its the look of kinda smugness on his face at his own fighting talent that cracks me up

[@peaceprayer595]

If Elvis was a Black Belt by any other measure than his celebrity connections, I'm the Queen of Rock N Roll!

[@mervimalmberg42]

You realy dont understud...man Can not Do those things ass real...you have To Loka details. He is demostraiting.I have been hearsling taido and litle karate my self.

[@GTsuji]

This is a joke. I love the enthusiasm but he’s no black belt.

[@AlCloutier]

Thank you for your comments. Maybe he was better at it back when he was a soldier in the army. Before the drugs took over...

[@rong805]

​@AlCloutier If you watch any fight scene in an Elvis movie, he used a good combination of kicks, punches, throws, etc. He was quite agile. Even in the 68 Special, he showed some cool moves. That said I definitely think he was a legit brown belt, but as time went on, the belt status was really more ceremonial than anything. Only because he was in bad shape, not because he wasn't capable.

[@ransomedavis2208]

thankyou for seeing this hes a wannabe and buying edd parker cars and jewelery ensured him grades. edd should be ashamed of himself.

[@peaceprayer595]

Thank God there is another practitioner that knows better. If Elvis was a Black Belt by any other measure than his celebrity connections, I'm the Queen of Rock N Roll!

[@NickyMetropolis1313]

​@@peaceprayer595Elvis was a black belt in 1960 under Hank Slomanski. Elvis was good. Not an expert but good. He was passionate about it. He was perhaps the first westerner to use Karate in an American film. Anyone saying Elvis was bad because of some film from the late 70s is ignorant

[@gregoryledbetter5428]

To be honest, it looks like he sucked. no form, no flow, no power.

[@AlCloutier]

Agree.

[@desfletc]

he is not in good shape in this video, pilled up and overweight, he should have done this video a few years earlier, maybe he had the skills back then, ide like to have seen him doing some of those high kicks and stretches, he doesn't show any flexibility or real skill, now on the other hand the other guy who was on the floor with the USA shirt was good, as for the new film.....NO comment

[@jmldreamer]

No ! Great singer & entertainer but not a martial artist !

[@AlCloutier]

Agree!

[@johnklockyer]

Terrible. Corrupt side of martial arts. Gives them a bad name.

[@AlCloutier]

You're not wrong.

[@johnklockyer]

@@AlCloutier I was a regional instructor for the county of Oxfordshire England. In a Korian Martial Art. These types who use it for money and fame are a Burden to us all.

[@fableslayer]

he was certainly no black belt. also, many people who were there in person during the making of the film we see here later stated that elvis was extremely drunk at the time.

[@AlCloutier]

He was definitely in an altered state of consciousness.