Fiaz Rafiq - Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend

BRUCE LEE

THE LIFE OF A LEGEND

PRAISE FOR
BRUCE LEE: THE LIFE OF A LEGEND

There have been hundreds of books on Bruce Lee since his shocking death in 1973, including my own. However, Fiaz Rafiqs oral history still punches and kicks into new territory Alex Ben Block, The Hollywood Reporter (Former Editor) & Showbiz Historian

An impressive collection of insights into the life of a cultural icon. Rafiqs book would be a valuable resource for anyone wanting to know more about Lee and his impact on the lives of others Paolo Bandini, The Guardian

Thought-provoking, enjoyable and fascinating interviews Tris Dixon, Boxing News

Interesting... fascinating insights Alastair Good, The Daily Telegraph

An excellent insight into Bruce Lees influence on some of todays top stars and a new perspective on the man himself Joel Snape, Mens Fitness

Provides a unique comprehensive view of a martial arts legend. What makes the work stand out from other books written on Bruce Lee is its exhaustive list of primary source material. This is no compilation of recycled interviews, but fresh reflections on the life of the Little Dragon. These raw interviews provide the reader with insights into different stages and areas of his life... If you thought you knew Bruce Lee, think again! Jamie Clubb, Martial Arts Illustrated

Bruce Lee may be dead... but his undoubted influence certainly lives on. This publication is packed with very informative interviews and information of the utmost interest to people... I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending it Kevin Francis, The Daily Star

Unique... a fascinating read Steven Beale, FHM

THE LIFE OF A LEGEND

FIAZ RAFIQ

This edition first published in Great Britain in 2020 by

ARENA SPORT
An imprint of Birlinn Limited
West Newington House
10 Newington Road
Edinburgh
EH9 1QS

www.arenasportbooks.co.uk

First published in 2009 as Bruce Lee: Conversations by HNL Publishing

Copyright Fiaz Rafiq, 2009 & 2020

ISBN: 9781909715950
eBook ISBN: 9781788853309

The right of Fiaz Rafiq to be identified as the author
of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
express written permission of the publisher.

Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and obtain their permission for the use of copyright
material. The publisher apologises for any errors or omissions and would be grateful if notified of any
corrections that should be incorporated in future reprints or editions of this book.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available on request from the British Library.

Designed and typeset by Polaris Publishing, Edinburgh
www.polarispublishing.com

Printed in Great Britain by CPI Group

This book is dedicated to Bruce Lee, who has had an indelible impact on me, igniting a light that made my dreams come true. Of course, without the will of God nothing is possible. So, thank you, God.

A big thank you to the staff of magazines Martial Arts Illustrated and Impact: The Global Action Movie Magazine: Moira, Martin, Neal, John, Roy and especially editor Bob Sykes for giving me the opportunity and embracing me earlier on my writing career. The 15 years working relationship was fun. To all my editors at the national and international magazines and national newspapers whose help and support have contributed to my success in my professional writing career. Also, I would like to thank the personalities I have interviewed over the years from the sports and entertainment worlds you are an integral part of the reason behind my success.

I would like to thank my personal long-time friends Diana Lee Inosanto; Royce Gracie; Rasheda Ali; Ron Balicki; Bob Sykes; Ronnie Green, Lance Lewis, Seyfi Shevket and Peter Consterdine for their countless years of support and encouragement.

I would like to thank Muhammad Alis brother Rahaman Ali, and Ron Brashear for their friendship and working relationship, and we made history.

I would like to thank my agent Charlie Brotherstone who believed in me and took me on as an author client.

Thank you to my own editor Joel Snape for editing the manuscript. A special thank you must go to Neville Moir and my editor Pete Burns at my publishers, Arena, for believing in me and the three book projects. Thank you Pete for all your hard work.

I would like to thank my friends in the industry, both in the USA and United Kingdom, who have enriched my life and supported me.

Last but not least, thanks to the man himself, Bruce Lee, for without you my dreams may never have manifested into a reality.

When Fiaz first approached me about writing a Foreword about a man I grew up calling Uncle Bruce, an honorary relative in the family that I was named after at birth Diana Lee I wasnt sure what to expect. This man I only knew through the eyes of a small child. In my youth I was oblivious to the fact that Uncle Bruce was becoming a famous star, had numerous martial arts students and associates, traveled around the world, and was passionate about philosophy. I did know that he and his wife Linda had the coolest kids, Brandon and Shannon, to play with. The bliss of youth! Then life took a different direction in my family. What became apparent to me at the tender age of seven was that Uncle Bruce was an important figure in my fathers (Dan Inosanto) life, and that upon his death he would forever change the course of my fathers future. What little did I know how Uncle Bruce would also change the lives of millions of people around the world!

What Fiaz Rafiqs book gives us (the reader) is an insight to a chronological train ride into the life journey of a very special man and how the worlds journey continues without him, but his spirit is ever so present. Through Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend, we witness the memories of this intelligent, persuasive, muscular, small-framed man, with a great Chinese accent I might add, create a vision for the future that would change modern martial arts history. We learn how this man broke down the barriers of racism, kicked his way through the walls of Hollywood discrimination, and bridged the worlds of East meets West. Even today, his influence, popularity and fan base still continues to grow.

After reading the diverse collection of interviews that Fiaz managed to put together (no small feat), I must say I was absorbed. There were people I heard about as my father raised me. They were people that I personally knew growing up, but I didnt completely have all the dots connected to their relationship with Uncle Bruce. They were people I read about and even worked with in the entertainment industry. And then there were the tremendous athletes I have admired from afar, but had no idea how a man I called Uncle Bruce would leave his inspirational fingerprints on the minds, bodies, and souls of so many people. Some of the people highlighted may be controversial; some may be from unrelated fields, yet there is a common thread that flows through the fabric of what these people share together about one of the worlds most influential icons, and they call him Bruce Lee.