I hear ya. I got to meet Taky at the Bruce Lee Exhibit in Seattle 2004. Also paid a visit to the graves of Bruce and Brandon. Like most, Bruce Lee was responsible for my initial interest in the martial arts as a kid.
And while I love his Hong Kong films, I always wonder how great the Kung Fu series might have been if Lee had been given the starring role.
Speaking of JKD, I was lucky enough to do a seminar with Ted Wong and Joe Lewis.
As for Bruce Lee, he was my inspiration for MA and training, and continues to be–though I also look up to other Hong Kong stars like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Sammo Hung, Yuan Biao, and Tony Jaa.
What was so great about Lee as a martial aritist was that he lived it–it was not just a hobby.
It is amazing that Lee not just inspired people to train but drove several martial arts booms. First there was the one in the late 60s as a result of his “sidekick” role on The Green Hornet, then there was the one as a result of his death and the showing of Enter the Dragon shortly afterward.
The only other booms of note are those cause by the Kung Fu series and the Kiddie Boom caused by The Karate Kid.
Also a fan of many of those you mentioned as well as Gordon Lui and the Venoms of Shaw Bros. fame. Black Belt and Kung Fu Theater are some of my fondest childhood memories.
And yes, Lee was a true martial artist. It wasn’t just something he did, it was part of who he was.
It’s kinda funny how so many of us can trace our primary influences to Bruce Lee, Soldier of Fortune magazine, a strong interest in WWII and the like.
I constantly wondered what films we would have gotten had Bruce Lee lived. It would have been great having him be the next Keye Luke.