Mr. Parker demonstrating "Back Breaker"

Looks like Mr. Parker is having fun. Not sure if his assistant is having fun though.

Villari's Shaolin Kempo Karate

Headed by Grandmaster Fred Villari

www.villaricenter.com

Five kenpo legends together

Masters Frank Trejo, Joe Palanzo, Richard Planas, Tom Kelly, and Stephen LaBounty.

Mr. Parker and Mr. Ralph Castro, old friends

“I have traveled extensively throughout the United States attending and participating in many Karate Tournaments. My travels throughout the years have made me aware of the constant need to portray Karate on an elevated plain. Wherever and whenever my advice has been needed, I have suggested, assisted, and encouraged such Karate events. When an unjust rule or unfairness to contestants have been suggested or indicated, I have defied, protested, and rejected such practices. I stand for the welfare of all contestants no matter what system they represent. With this tradition, Mr. Ralph Castro and myself welcome you to this momentous event. We both have strived to present Karate in a pleasing light, fair to all concerned, interesting to motivate audience appeal, educational so as to encourage the laymen to one day join a system and become a competitor.” - Ed Parker Sr.

(Excerpt taken from the California Karate Championship program, held at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium on May 4, 1967)

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Mr. Parker and Mr. Castro met while serving in the Coast Guard. Both were students of Professor Chow, just at different times.

Notice Mr. Parker wearing just a simple, yet very worn out, black belt with no stripes.

Dance of Darkness breakdown

Classic karate tournament programs

Programs from the first 10 years of the International Karate Championships

(recently posted on Facebook by Mr. Ed Parker Jr.)

Ed Parker Sr. hosted a few karate tournaments in Hawaii.
Here are two programs from 1968 and 1969.
He also co-hosted the California Karate Championships with Ralph Castro.
...

Here are 3 programs from that era.
1967-1969.

Was Mr. Parker a genius?

(from a recent conversation on Facebook)

I appreciate his lifelong work, his genius in regard to the documentation of his system and him taking the time to share that knowledge. Mr. Parker was an exceptional individual who had a photographic memory, a detailed and trained power of observation, a continual open mind and open heart. Rare qualities in many. 

He was one of the greatest inspirations to me to keep an open mind, to learn from many sources, not just in kenpo but other arts as well. Simply stated, I consider him one of the greatest martial arts minds of the 20th century. 

But the last thing he would ever want was for people to deify him. His own religious upbringing would not let him stand for it. But his accomplishments, like those great geniuses and masters of many various arts stand the test of time. 

In 1988, I was with Mr. Parker at a seminar in New Bedford, Massachusetts and I said to him at one point, "Mr. Parker, you are a genius." 

He responded with, "I don't know about that Joseph." 

I said, "Why not Sir?' 

Mr. Parker replied, "Joseph, most geniuses are crazy!" - Mr. Joe Rebelo