Frank Landers

From Martial Arts Encyclopedia Wiki

Frank Landers - Is an American martial arts practitioner, author, promoter, instructor and founder of the Seishindo Kenpo System. Landers is an accomplished weapons expert and is noted for his heart-dropping weapons exhibitions with a Samurai Sword.

Landers, a part-time music producer, has recorded and produced such notables as Reggae legend Garth Dennis, a founding member of the Black Uhuru, and lead Guitarist and founding member of The Beach Boys; David Marks. Landers is an accomplished musician and writer and has composed literary works for FACTA Music Publishing; ASCAP.

Contents 1 Personal Life 1.1 Memberships 2 Life Forward 2.1 Kajukenbo Training 3 Martial Arts Magazine 4 Central Coast Karate Championships 5 Kickboxing Promotions 6 Eskrima Training 7 Music Producing 8 Atlantis Records Inc. 9 Motorcycle Accident 10 Neighbor Dispute 11 Notable Students 12 Martial Arts Instructors 13 Music Producer 14 Music Publishing 15 Author 16 External Links 17 References

Personal Life

Born Frank Argelander, Chicago, Ill. the son of Edward James Argelander and Erika Argelander.

Frank Argelander's first wife Junelehua Kalaeloa Strode (1979-1981) was the daughter of legendary movie actor Woody Strode and Princess Luukialuana Kalaeloa Strode, a direct descendant of Liliuokalani, the last great queen of Hawaii. They had one child named; Luukia Kalaeloa Argelander.

Frank's second wife; Catherine Javier (1983-present) is the daughter of pioneering Eskrima Great Grand Master Isidro P. Javier.

Children: Cathy "Tweety" Marin, Luukia Kalaeloa Makanani, Janise Grajeda, (Richard "Temo" Wong - Deceased).

Grandchildren: Tommy "Doo" Healey, Anthony Marin, Anissa Silva, Victoria Grajeda, Jonathan Healay, Anuhea Makanani, Anela Makanani, Jaryn Healey, Darla Grajeda.

Memberships

Martial Arts:
(BKF) Black Karate Federation - Member
(IKKA) International Kenpo Karate Association - Member
(SKA) Seishindo Kenpo Association - President & Founder
(IKBA) International KickBoxing Association - Vice-President - Appointed by Dan Rodarte
(PIT) The Pit Training Camp - Pit Master - Appointed by John Hackleman
(JFC) Javier Family Council - Sr. Grand Master and Successor of the Javier's Family Fighting Art - Appointed by GGM Isidro P. Javier
(UFMAC) Unified Filipino Martial Arts Council - Founding Member
(WEKAF USA Inc.) World Eskrima Kali-Arnis Federation - Ambassador - Appointed by Grand Master Alfredo Bandalan Sr.
(LBI) Long Beach Internationals - Filipino Martial Arts - Event Director - Appointed by Steve Cooper

Motion Picture Business:
(SEG) Screen Extra Guild - Disbanded in 1986 - Member
(AFTRA) American Federation of Television and Radio Artists - Member
(SAG) Screen Actor Guild - Member

Music Business
(ASCAP) The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers - Publisher - Author

Frank Argelander dropped the first part of his last name from "Argelander" to Landers in 1979, for professional reasons in the motion picture business.

From 1980 on; Frank Landers

Life Forward

Continued from Frank Argelander Life Froward.

In 1981 Frank Landers said goodbye to the past, breaking all ties with outside distractions, and set out on his own journey forward.

In 1982 Frank Landers was working on the Matt Houston TV show as a stand-in for one of it's co-stars; John Aprea. Aprea and Landers became good friends, and Aprea attended the Landers family first child Baptism, accepting the traditional role of "Godfather" to Luukia Argelander.

In 1983 Landers moved his family to Hawaii to help his brother-in-law; Lani Kai run his Wiki Night Club called "Lani Kai's" in the "Honolulu Prince Hotel"; today known as aqua waikiki pearl. Landers also found work on the hit TV show Magnum PI with friend and Stunt man Bob Minor.

Kajukenbo Training

Living in Hawaii would give Landers the opportunity to train directly with Sijo Adriano Emperado a founding pioneer of martial arts in America and Kenpo history. Landers found himself in strange territories, in areas of Hawaii where "Howlies" (Hawaiian for "White") were afraid to venture. Classes were held in the gym at Roosevelt School in the Palama Settlement area. Training was brutal in those days.

In an Interview, Landers recalls his first day of training; "Class was several hours long, and I remember how tired I was and happy when class was called to attention, and I knew that home was close. After class was bowed out I quickly went for my bag, but I saw a line beginning to form on both sides of the door exit out. With a slight grin Sijo Emperado told me to come over and get in line. Being a fourth degree black belt at the time, I was told to stand next to others my rank. Rank determined your position in line, the two highest rank black belts on each side of the door, down to the lowest "White Belt" at the back of the line. In an explosive flurry of motion, young students moved through the line towards the door, blocking vigorous strikes coming at them. Despite what appeared to be callous disregard for the human body; this was old school Kenpo at it's best. If you could make it through a class, and still return and enjoy the next class, you could begin to understand what made Kajukenbo such a tough art. Those experiences in Hawaii, training with some of the toughest and most determined guys I would ever meet in martial arts, helped shape me in my thoughts, developing the art of Seishindo Kenpo. When I later designed the Seishindo Kenpo crest, I included the Kajukenbo Clover into the association crest out of my love for Kajukenbo and my instructor Adriano Emperado".

1984 Frank Landers returned to California alone, bringing many changes to his life.

Landers was recurred by friend and Kajukenbo practitioner Doug Bunda to help him better understand how to increase enrollment in his Azusa, California studio. Within a short period of time Landers and Bunda became business partners and opened a studio together in Glendora, California, choosing to use a neutral name for the studio; Hawaiian Kenpo of Glendora. The partnership did not last long and wound up in civil court, with Landers prevailing.

Landers was sadden by the event but felt a relief knowing he was free from the obligation of something that was a distraction from his path forwards. SeishinDo Karate was at a vulnerable time and any distraction was not good.

In the same year of 1984 Landers opened a new studio in Glendora, California. It was called Frank Landers Seishindo Kenpo Karate Studio, and was listed in the 1984 edition of Who's Who in American Martial Arts, as Frank Landers Seishindo Karate.
(Note: The Who's Who information was taken in 1983 for release of a 1984 edition. By release date, Landers and the Seishindo Kenpo Association would drop "Karate" and settle in with Seishindo Kenpo).

In 1983, like something right out of a Chinese Kung-Fu Movie, a 15 year dislike by Taekwondo instructor Dennis Fifield, who owned a small studio in Glendora, California down the street from Frank Landers, came to a climax one afternoon.
A Glendora Police report states that Fifield entered Landers' studio accompanied by two of his black belt students. Fifield confronted Landers about an ongoing issue over Fifield's belief that Landers was not qualified to be teaching martial arts. Inside Landers' small office, as 7 observers watched through a large window, Landers and Fifield engaged in physical confrontation. The end result placed both Fifield and Landers in front of a judge, facing charges of battery and mutual combat.

In 1984 with the release of Frank Landers' first book "Cerebral Awaking", the Seishindo Kenpo system's new journey forward was set. The book was divided into a two Vol. set; Vol. 1 - Cerebral Awaking and Vol. 2 - Fundamental Awareness.

In 1985 a third Vol. was added to complete the set, Vol. 3 - Encyclopedia of Kenpo - a teacher's guide, detailing all the terms, concepts, principles and ideas, along with information on Kenpo practitioners who contributed to the blood line of this great art called Kenpo, as set forth by Mitose/Chow.

In the same year of 1985 Frank Landers felt a need to give back to his community. He enrolled in the Rio Hondo Police Academy in Whittier California. Landers received several offers from Police Departments in the local area with the strongest coming from one of his academy instructors, Mr. Johnson, who was the Chief of Police at Arcadia California. Despite the offer from a good friend, Landers decided on a small ocean side town on the Central Coast called Arroyo Grande, California. After graduation from the police academy, Landers moved his family to Oceano California, a small adjoining town to Arroyo Grande California. Landers accepted a part-time position with the Arroyo Grande Police Department as an officer. At the same time he prepared to open a new Seishindo Kenpo self-defense studio in the area.

In 1986 Landers opened a new Seishindo Kenpo Studio in Grover City California. "Grover City" as it was called when the studio first opened, was another small and adjoining town with Arroyo Grande and in 1992 the City later voted to change it's name to Grover Beach California as it is known today.

Martial Arts Magazine

In 1986, Bob McCauley, Roger Hart, and Frank Landers founded Martial Arts World Magazine. The magazine goal was simple; a magazine owned and operated by martial artists, with the object of bringing stories that the main stream martial art magazines were not covering. After the first printing, Landers' vision for the Magazine was on a different path than the others. He decided to leave, saving friendships over business. With Landers' departure, martial artist Jan Ford was brought into keep things moving in a forward direction. The magazine later changed it's name to Martial Arts Magazine.

Central Coast Karate Championships

In 1987 Landers promoted the Central Coast International Karate Championships in Arroyo Grande California. It would play host to 1800 competitors who came from as far as Mexico, Nevada and Texas. The event attracted some of the most prominent martial artist fighters including the corporate sponsored fighting team "ZBEST" along with prominent Grandmasters; Thomas B. Mitose, Al Reyes, Donnie Williams and Kajukenbo founder grandmaster, Sijo Adriano Emperado. Mr. Emperado came in from Hawaii and conducted a seminar for about 50 black belts at the Casa Grande Hotel in Arroyo Grande, California, the night before the tournament.

At the conclusion of the seminar, Landers tested one of his 2nd degree black belts that day. Included on the testing board with Frank Landers was Adriano Emperado, Alan Reyes, Frank Conway, and Bob McCauley.

(Note: At the competition of the test, and as Landers signed student Sam Mersai's certificate, Sijo Emperado and the other testing committee members joined in signing Mersai's certificate. This is, a sign of great respect when not one but several high ranking masters sign a certificate of another instructor student).

Kickboxing Promotions

In 1992 once again Dan Rodarte and Frank Landers would cross paths and join together in hosting a prestigious Kickboxing event. Rodarte; President of the International Kick Boxing Association was a successful fight promoter and asked Frank Landers to become the Vice-president of the International Kick Boxing Association and co-produce KickBoxing fight events with him. Landers accepted and the first event was scheduled for 1993.

In 1993 Rodarte and Landers co-produced a Title Fight Event held at the prestigious Embassy Suits Hotel in San Luis Obispo California. The sold-out event was sponsored by Budweiser Beer and was filmed for release on ESPN TV.

Eskrima Training

June 3rd 2010 - Great Grand Master; Manong Isidro P. Javier following family traditions, named Grand Master Frank Landers successor to the Javier Family Eskrima Fighting Art, and granting by his authority Grand Master Frank Landers the Title of Senior Grand Master and the solo authority of Javier's Family Fighting Art.

Music Producing

In 2000 Landers opened a private recording studio in Glendora California. The studio was a place for Landers to work on his own music, but quickly became a "well known" private place to record. Visitors to the studio included many 60's icons like, Reggae legend Garth Dennis, founding band member of the Black Uhuru, original member of The Beach Boys band, David Marks, drummer for the The Monkees, Micky Dolenz, and Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean. The studio was a state-of-the-art 100 track at mix down, analog/digital recording studio, with five separate sound-proof rooms. Nothing marked the entrance to the studio but some small letters on the door that read; Private Recording Studio. At any given time the studio was host to private jam sessions that included a who's who list of music world.

Atlantis Records Inc.

From 2001 - 2003 Landers and his newly formed company Atlantis Records inc., promoted a Music Concert featuring a new band called Reggae Rock. The show included performances by Reggae legend Garth Dennis, former Beach Boy guitarist David Marks as well as Bobby Figueroa, the Beach Boys touring drummer. For the next few years Landers worked in the recording studio and equally in the Eskrima training, dividing his time between the two. Landers continued to keep focus on his own training in Eskrima, and worked on developing a more clear understanding of "Action" and "Reaction", two of the most important concepts a Martial Arts student should understand.

2004 Landers retired form the music business, and continued writing music and recording his own works. Atlantis Records dissolved it's partnerships, but Landers retained ownership of the company and it's web site. Landers publishing company; FACTA Music Publishing (ASCAP), is a privately held company by Frank Landers, and still retains the works of other musicians.

Motorcycle Accident

November 2007 Landers was seriously injured when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a driver making an illegal left turn while talking on a cell phone. Landers suffered closed head trauma from the blow to the head.

Neighbor Dispute

A few months later Landers would be involved in a dispute with some new neighbors. Younger members of the family attempted to push Landers to the point of action. There was several police visits and the dispute eventually found it's way into the court system. Landers was awarded 9 restraining orders by the court against the family living next door and in 2009 they finally moved. Even until the day the family moved their 21 year old son still was trying to provoke an attack by Landers. This 2-year event would test Landers' resolve and make him a stronger person today. One must wounder how this 21 year old kid would respond if he knew of Grand Master Frank Landers' martial arts skills, and how close he was to understanding that he must select his battles wisely. "The old man your picking on next door might have a trick or two, with his foot".

Notable Students

Actors

Woody Strode
Erik Estrada
Lee Marvin

Entertainers

Dana MacKay

Martial Artist

John Hackleman "The Pit"

Martial Arts Instructors

Dave Hebler ~ (Kenpo Karate - 1967-68 - (aka Frank Argelander)

Bernard Warshauer ~ (Taekwondo - 1968-1973 - (aka Frank Argelander)

Donnie Williams ~ (BKF Kenpo & Spiritual guidance - 1974 to present)

Dan Rodarte ~ (Kenpo Karate - 1978-1980)

Ed Parker ~ (Kenpo Karate - 1978-1981)

Adriano Emperado ~ (Kajukenbo - Hawaii - 1982)

Isidro P. Javier ~ (Eskrima - 2000 to present)

Landers first introduction to Eskrima was in 1979 by Hank de la Vega, at the Long Beach Internationals. Landers would incorporate Eskrima moves into his Seishindo Kenpo system as part of it structured course learning.
It was not until 2000 that Landers Father-in-law of 17 years Manong Isidro P. Javier reviled to Landers that he was skilled at Filipino Martial Arts. GM Landers than humbled him self before Manong Isidro Javier.
For the next ten years Landers would learn the fundamental concepts and principles of movement, that embraced the family art of Eskrima.
In 2010 Landers was appointed by Great Grand Master Isidro P. Javier to Sr. Grand Master and successor and head of the Javier Family Fight Art.

Music Producer

Frank Landers is an accomplished music producer, producing former Beach Boy David Marks and Reggae Legend and 4 time Grammy nominee Garth Dennis of the Black Uhuru. Landers owned and operated a state-of-the-art 10,000 sq. recording studio, that enjoyed a host of legendary musicians who recorded tracks there.

In 2001 Landers and partner Kal Zam, along with Richard Morales who worked for Capitol Records at the time, started Atlantis Records inc. Atlantis Records signed David Marks, Garth Dennis. Also signed was the Band; Reggae Rock.
belonging to Garth Dennis' three sons.

Music Publishing

FACTA Music Publishing (ASCAP) is a Frank Landers Publishing Company and holds the works of:

Garth Dennis: - JA JA House of Love, Desta

Frank Landers: - Easy Money, Day by Day, Fritz and the Boys, Break Point, Cry Baby, Hush Little Baby, Flying Bird, Bojangles Dance, Janise my Girl, Broken Dreams, Please Surrender, Beverly

Author

Seishindo Kenpo Association: (Landers, Frank (1981). Frank Landers Seishindo Kenpo Association HandBook
Seishindo Kenpo: (Landers, Frank (1984). Frank Landers Seishindo Kenpo, vol.1: Cerebral Awaking. Facta Publications)
Seishindo Kenpo: (Landers, Frank (1984). Frank Landers Seishindo Kenpo, vol.2: Fundamental Awareness. Facta Publications)
Seishindo Kenpo: (Landers, Frank (1985). Frank Landers Seishindo Kenpo, vol.3: Encyclopedia of Knowledge, a teachers guide. Facta Publications)

External Links

• Frank Landers — Official Web Site - Frank Landers.com
  
• Seishindo Kenpo — Official Web Site - Seishindo Kenpo.com
  
• Dream Vision Publishing — Official Web Site - Dream Vision Publishing
  
• Atlantis Records - Official Web Site - Atlantis Records inc.

References

• Seishindo Kenpo: (Landers, Frank (1985). Frank Landers Seishindo Kenpo, vol.3: Encyclopedia of Knowledge, a teachers guide. Facta Publications).
• 1979 - Good Morning LA Show hosted by Regis Philbin - Argelander Watermelon Slice Demonstration.
• 1981 - Inside Kung Fu Magazine - "Kenpo for the streets" vol 7, pg59
• 1978 - Inside Kung Fu Magazine - "Woody Strode training"
• 1978 - Cover Fighting Stars Magazine - "Erik Estrada's training".
• Music Producing, Artists - Atlantis Records inc.
• Music Publishing - FACTA Music Publishing (ascap)
• June 3rd 2010 - Promotion: Mr. Frank Landers the Title of Senior Grand Master & Successor (Document - Notary # 1848042) in archive.
• Original content by Glen Rathbone

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