Elvis' Karate School To Be Demolished
We have some sad news for the Elvis world, and particularly those that enjoy visiting Elvis related sites in Memphis. One of the few remaining places with a true and solid Elvis connection in Memphis will soon be gone forever. The building which housed the old Tennessee Karate Institute (TKI) on the Corner of N. Cleveland Street and Overton Park Avenue has just been purchased by the Jehovah's Witnesses Assembly and plans to demolish the entire building have been put in place. The current lease holder has been given 12 months notice to vacate the premises before work begins.
About the TKI (from the forthcoming book Follow Me To Tennessee): In early 1974, Elvis' friend and Kenpo Grand Master Ed Parker established a new karate school in Memphis known as the Tennessee Karate Institute (TKI). Red West, another of Elvis' buddies and fellow enthusiast, operated the school and acted as chief instructor along with national champion Bill ‘Superfoot' Wallace. Elvis was extremely excited about the new school, which was based on the entire top floor of this building, and he endorsed it willingly by appearing on posters displayed all over the city.
On July 4th 1974, just a couple of days after completing a hectic 18-date tour (his third of that year), Elvis gave a lengthy karate demonstration here. Afterwards, sporting an all-black karate outfit, he joined proprietor Ed Parker, and other well-known martial artists such as Tom Kelley, to pose for photographs and to meet budding students.
Elvis trained here often, and part of The New Gladiator documentary was filmed at this location on September 16th 1974, when camera crews and reporters witnessed Elvis demonstrating with bodyguards Red West, Dave Hebler and David Stanley.
During the 1981 movie This Is Elvis and the more recent Gladiators DVD, there is plenty of great material, which was originally filmed here. You may recall seeing footage of Elvis, wearing his famed red and white karate outfit, arriving at the TKI at night. Along with Dave Hebler, Ricky Stanley, Linda Thompson and Sherry Williams (a dark-haired beauty whom he was also dating), Elvis climbed a steep set of stairs, holding onto a handrail, just before entering the heavily mirrored school. You can still see the same stairs, and the handrail used by Elvis, through a glass door on the far right of the building, under the huge Coke sign.
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
