Author Topic: Gold's Gym Venice - A little bit of history (Read 151494 times)

Chick · « **Reply #25 on:** May 27, 2007, 10:33:41 PM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on May 27, 2007, 10:30:34 PM

Hey, TW, do you remember a guy who used to eat nothing but tuna fish that he would squeeze through a nylon stocking. The end result would be something similar to sawdust with a smelly odor. That was his entire diet except for an occasional spoonful of honey. I saw him compete in the mid to late 60's and he was ultra shreaded and I have heard that he was still around the LA area in the mid to late 70's still eating strained tuna and honey and still ripped.

Do you recall that character?

BTW, I ran into Kent Kehn at the Cal this past weekend but didn't get a chance to talk with him.

You recall Joe Nazzario? And where the hell is Bill Grant these days?

Bob, you competed with Ernie a few times? Right?

LOL...No Bill...Ernie was YEARS before I came along. I was still in H.S. when he was competing as a pro.

tommywishbone · « **Reply #26 on:** May 27, 2007, 10:38:58 PM »

"This is the best/most interesting post I have come across yet, though I am shocked you got 50k to open the gym "

Perhaps I mis-spoke. The $50K didn't happen until 4 or 5 years later. I think my 1st years pay was $15,000ish. At the end, all the front desk guys did $35 - $50k per year. Those days are long gone.

Edit: I remember a meeting we had at work one day, in that great room, upstairs, where all the old mags were , 10's-of-thousands of old BB mags... one of the new bean counters in accounting, stood up and said, "There's no way the guys at the front desk should be making more money than management!" Dude was all mad and condescending. We stole his car.

Thanks for the nice words.

Tom

onlyme · « **Reply #27 on:** May 27, 2007, 10:41:59 PM »

Tommy not sure if I told you but Pete called yesterday for 2 hours and it was great. We'll both see you at the Olympia. I never hung out at Venice Gold's. I was a World Gym guy. And i didn't hang out with any of the guys except for Ron Depolito, Tony Pearson and Ken Waller. We went to lunch quite a few times. I was just a kid and felt out of place even if Joe tried to get me involved with BB and PL. I was just there to lift then go off and paint houses. Ron knew everyone, he seemed to be the pimp for all the bodybuilders and provide them with entertainment. He drove a pink corvette if I remember right. Manny Perry made side money "chopping" Cadillac's into two-doors. He had a nice Mercedes 450 SLC with an AMG package. Tony got me eating lettuce and tuna only diet. We would eat at some health food place in Marina Del Rey and all I could eat was plain lettuce with my tuna. I met Don Ross around 1987 or so when we did the Gillette commercial together. We talked about a year or so before he died and he wanted to see me and write a small bit on me, but I guess I was to late. I went up to his little office when I was in town. I'm pretty sure the 4x4 of the twins was the same one they drove of the side of the 405 in and then got out and pushed it up the enbankment. It is probably also the one they had when someone parked in front of their condo and they got out and picked up the car and put it on the sidewalk so they could park in their normal spot. The girl came out and saw them and she ended up taking them to court which was the People's Court with Judge Wapner. Man I love old stories like you got so tell them. And believe me Stunt has a million of them too.

onlyme · « **Reply #28 on:** May 27, 2007, 10:44:14 PM »

Quote from: tommywishbone on May 27, 2007, 10:38:58 PM

"This is the best/most interesting post I have come across yet, though I am shocked you got 50k to open the gym "

Perhaps I mis-spoke. The $50K didn't happen until 4 or 5 years later. I think my 1st years pay was $15,000ish. At the end, all the front desk guys did $35 - $50k per year. Those days are long gone.

Edit: I remember a meeting we had at work one day, and one of the new bean counters in accounting, stood up and said, "There's no way the guys at the front desk should be making more than management!" Dude was all mad and condescending. We stole his car.

Thanks for the nice words.

Tom

Thats classic.

Vince B · « **Reply #29 on:** May 27, 2007, 10:52:15 PM »

What the accountant ignored was the front end guys sold memberships so were salesmen, too, and earned their money. Did Golds charge the stars to train there? I remember in 1991 that Ray Mentzer got me a free 2 week pass for Golds.

seauantea · « **Reply #30 on:** May 27, 2007, 10:53:54 PM »

Quote from: tommywishbone on May 27, 2007, 10:38:58 PM

"This is the best/most interesting post I have come across yet, though I am shocked you got 50k to open the gym "

Perhaps I mis-spoke. The $50K didn't happen until 4 or 5 years later. I think my 1st years pay was $15,000ish. At the end, all the front desk guys did $35 - $50k per year. Those days are long gone.

Edit: I remember a meeting we had at work one day, in that great room all the old mags were in, 10's-of-thousands of old BB mags... one of the new bean counters in accounting, stood up and said, "There's no way the guys at the front desk should be making more than management!" Dude was all mad and condescending. We stole his car.

Thanks for the nice words.

Tom

Perhaps I misread

No need to thank me, people like yourself make this site worth reading

onlyme · « **Reply #31 on:** May 27, 2007, 10:58:10 PM »

I don't think stars worked out for free. Dorian told me about a recent visit to Gold's when the front desk girl asked him for $20 to train. He told her that he had a lifetime membership (which I guess is given to Mr. Olympia's). He told her this and she said "how do I know you are who you say you are". He then pointed up to the wall to show her his picture. Then one of the guys saw him and let him in. I'll never forget the old World Gym had a chalkboard behind the front counter and Joe or Eddie or whoever would put your name up on it when your dues were up or late. I will never forget seeing in big letters "Arnold your dues are late" I thought that was cool.

tommywishbone · « **Reply #32 on:** May 27, 2007, 11:01:06 PM »

Quote from: Vince Basile on May 27, 2007, 10:52:15 PM

What the accountant ignored was the front end guys sold memberships so were salesmen, too, and earned their money. Did Golds charge the stars to train there? I remember in 1991 that Ray Mentzer got me a free 2 week pass for Golds.

No Sir. Derek Barton made sure that anyone in the business (TV & film) was comped. It worked out perfectly. They got a freebie, and Gold's Venice got a good reputation in the entertainment industry.

T-

Note... I can only speak with certainty, for the years 1991 - 1998. Before and after that... sorry.

Chick · « **Reply #33 on:** May 27, 2007, 11:04:16 PM »

Quote from: tommywishbone on May 27, 2007, 11:01:06 PM

No Sir. Derek Barton made sure that anyone in the business (TV & film) was comped. It worked out perfectly. They got a freebie, and Gold's Venice got a good reputation in the entertainment industry.

T-

Note... I can only speak with certainty, for the years 1991 - 1998. Before and after that... sorry.

Still the same...or at least, it HAS been the same till now.

tommywishbone · « **Reply #34 on:** May 27, 2007, 11:09:36 PM »

Chick is right. All Pro Bodybuilders were always, instantly comped (and it sounds like they still are... GOOD), as they should have been. Those cats deserved at least that.

Tom

tommywishbone · « **Reply #35 on:** May 28, 2007, 12:01:39 AM »

Keith; Shoot me your number via pm, and we'll make sure to hook up at the Olympia. I'll call in some old school cats & youngsters and we'll make it real party. Vegas is just right for old timers like you and me, and the young pimps will have fun as well.

We still have 100 days +/-, but let's not miss the chance to get all the boys together.

Tommy

PS. All freaks are invited.

tommywishbone · « **Reply #36 on:** May 28, 2007, 12:21:27 AM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on May 27, 2007, 10:30:34 PM

Hey, TW, do you remember a guy who used to eat nothing but tuna fish that he would squeeze through a nylon stocking. The end result would be something similar to sawdust with a smelly odor. That was his entire diet except for an occasional spoonful of honey. I saw him compete in the mid to late 60's and he was ultra shreaded and I have heard that he was still around the LA area in the mid to late 70's still eating strained tuna and honey and still ripped.

Do you recall that character?

BTW, I ran into Kent Kehn at the Cal this past weekend but didn't get a chance to talk with him.

You recall Joe Nazzario? And where the hell is Bill Grant these days?

A: Man SM, I don't recall the tuna & honey dude. Kent and I were good friends. He is a perfect example of what happened to most pro bb's. To Kent's credit, he never let that hold him back and he always has good words to say about the business.

I remember Joe Nazzario, but I don't have any updates. Bill Grant is doing well, and still in good shape... for one of the Gold's Gym OG's

T-

Dballn247 · « **Reply #37 on:** May 28, 2007, 12:46:25 AM »

I was up cause my back was killing me, took 30mg of Oxy, and found this thread. Good read bro. I love hearing about the crazy inside shit. I worked the front desk of a gym for a while. What a circus. It's like your a bartender, everyone tells you there life story. It's a great cross roads though, you get to meet a lot of different people. Good stuff Tommy.

Max_Rep · « **Reply #38 on:** May 28, 2007, 12:52:39 AM »

Samir was the 1983 Mr. Olympia NOT 1984.

onlyme · « **Reply #39 on:** May 28, 2007, 01:02:09 AM »

Quote from: Dballn247 on May 28, 2007, 12:46:25 AM

I was up cause my back was killing me, took 30mg of Oxy, and found this thread. Good read bro. I love hearing about the crazy inside shit. I worked the front desk of a gym for a while. What a circus. It's like your a bartender, everyone tells you there life story. It's a great cross roads though, you get to meet a lot of different people. Good stuff Tommy.

First off you aren't taking enough. I sometimes take 12 vicodan a day. DOn't believe me?, ask my friends who keep taking them from me. But right now I have been off of them for awhile since my back or leg doesn't hurt. I sprained my ankle moving a hide a bed and was taking some oxy but its fine now.

tommywishbone · « **Reply #40 on:** May 28, 2007, 01:14:04 AM »

Quote from: Max_Rep on May 28, 2007, 12:52:39 AM

Samir was the 1983 Mr. Olympia NOT 1984.

Damn you Max Rep! Good catch

Don't make me tell my Lee Haney v. Iron Sheik v. Tommywishbone story, or my "Hey you stole my T-shirts." - C. Dickerson story.

T-

UK Gold · « **Reply #41 on:** May 28, 2007, 02:32:28 AM »

Great stories guys, keep them coming!

Vince, whilst Tommy, Stunt, Keith and Max Rep were having the time of their lives, you were obviously the disgusting little nerd that nobody could stand. I'm not hating, thats the impression i get from your posts. Why didn't you live it up more?

Stark · « **Reply #42 on:** May 28, 2007, 02:45:27 AM »

OMFG I just peed my pants

HAHAHAHHA FUNNIEST THING I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME

Quote

1992 – 1997. Wow. Sleeping in the back room. Sleeping in the posing room. Having a gang bang in the posing room Grin . Finding IFBB pros sleeping in the posing room, because they were homeless. Watching Brian Regan put a .45 in Joe Cosmo’s face at the front desk and watching Joe pee his pants. Slinging gear over the front counter. Telling Ed Connors that Don Ross was gone. Telling Nessler that Kurt Colbain was dead. Working the front deask at 4:20am during the Northridge earthquake, and thinking it was funny that everyone was running out of the gym and then right back in. Getting drunk with James Caan. Hookers for free. Strippers for free. Getting arrested in the 2nd room at Gold’s Venice by LAPD. Comped at every bar in Hollywood (the doorman & bartenders all trained at Gold's Venice).

Lol I can picture that so well

Tommy you are a god, Special Ed take note now that was funny

freespirit · « **Reply #43 on:** May 28, 2007, 02:46:56 AM »

This one should be pinned.

More stories please.

Dballn247 · « **Reply #44 on:** May 28, 2007, 02:50:59 AM »

Quote from: onlyme on May 28, 2007, 01:02:09 AM

First off you aren't taking enough. I sometimes take 12 vicodan a day. DOn't believe me?, ask my friends who keep taking them from me. But right now I have been off of them for awhile since my back or leg doesn't hurt. I sprained my ankle moving a hide a bed and was taking some oxy but its fine now.

I believe you, I take the equivalent now have been for a while. Most Vic's are 10mg(I haven't had any stronger). 12 would make 120mg. I take 30mg oxy 4 x a day. Damn my doctor for getting me back on this shit. I wasn't nearly ~~as messed up~~ the results on Hydrocodone (Vics) but she said it was time to up the dose, she's the pain management specialist.

Stark · « **Reply #45 on:** May 28, 2007, 02:54:46 AM »

Quote from: onlyme on May 27, 2007, 10:58:10 PM

I don't think stars worked out for free. Dorian told me about a recent visit to Gold's when the front desk girl asked him for $20 to train. He told her that he had a lifetime membership (which I guess is given to Mr. Olympia's). He told her this and she said "how do I know you are who you say you are". He then pointed up to the wall to show her his picture. Then one of the guys saw him and let him in. I'll never forget the old World Gym had a chalkboard behind the front counter and Joe or Eddie or whoever would put your name up on it when your dues were up or late. I will never forget seeing in big letters "Arnold your dues are late" I thought that was cool.

Man If i would be you I would kick myself for not taking a picture of that!!!!

Bob seriously you were the only one who had to make this personal again, until you posted this post was only memories and laughs... Why?

This thread is exactly what separates us from the MD board.

FreshMintBlue · « **Reply #46 on:** May 28, 2007, 03:04:49 AM »

Somebody sticky this bitch... What a laugh

-Trallala-

wes · « **Reply #47 on:** May 28, 2007, 03:26:14 AM »

Awesome thread!!

Van_Bilderass · « **Reply #48 on:** May 28, 2007, 03:29:40 AM »

Quote from: Vince Basile on May 27, 2007, 09:49:02 PM

Not everyone was in the in-group in those days. The insiders shared information but it was a closed group. They even has a special language, etc.

I have owned gyms since 1971 and I am sure someone was always pushing steroids. I seldom knew who was involved but occasionally some musclehead from another gym would show up and I always knew why he joined. They always did their business in the parking lot and never in the gym.

It sounds like a lot of guys barely made ends meet. That is probably true today. Most of the guys who lifted were a bit scared of taking too many drugs. Those who weren't are probably some of the guys we know and read about. Zabo said there was no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and he told the truth. Joe even opened Worlds to give Zabo and a few old mates a job. One day when I visited World Gym in 1991 I wanted to say hello to Zabo. I was told he was asleep in the cupboard below the shelves! Apparently he did that so that if Joe called someone would wake him up!

I vividly remember the day that a very curvaceous former girlfriend of Zabo's stole the show at Santa Monica Beach. That was way back in 1968 in October. Arnold was sunning there and when he got up to go for a swim no one paid the slightest attention. When Zabo's girlfriend got up for a walk to the surf EVERYONE looked! Beauty beats brawn any day. I should have done medicine instead of wanting to open a gym and make gym equipment like Joe did.

I had to laugh when I found out what the lads called Joe Gold. He was known as the dog catcher because he didn't mind plain women he met on the beach! Ah, guys can be cruel.

LOL, you didn't know who was pushing drugs in YOUR gym. You weren't in the in-group at your own place and guys were using your gym to sling gear. Priceless!

Hypertrophy · « **Reply #49 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:50:29 AM »

Awesome stories, guys! Thanks for starting the thread, TW!

Any stories about Denny Gable or Bob Birdsong? In the original Pumping Iron book, they looked like they were regulars at Golds,but you really don't hear much about them.