harry johnson mr america 1959 dies at 96

[funk51]

Look at the results from 1959. Harry probably not in the top 6 or 8. Art Harris was probably the best but was given Most Muscular. Hapless Ray Routledge had to wait two years to win the title.
George Orlando was featured in Weider mags so not a favourite in the AAU. Strange judging in those days.


1959 Mr America - AAU

1     Harry Johnson
2     Ray Routledge
3     Pete Ganios
4     George Orlando
5     Vern Weaver
6     Elmo Santiago
7     Lloyd Lerille
8     Art Harris
9     Kenny Hall
10     Fred Schutz
11     Hossein Shokouh
12     Buddy Basil
13     Walt Cuzzimano
14     Tommy Johnson
15     Leo Downes
16     Joseph Simon
17     Bill March
18     Mike Ferraro
19     Hank Wayne
20     George Wojnowski
21     Harry Lanehart
22     Gene Wells
23     Sam Martin
24     Ed Jacobs
25     William Crozier
26     Pat Hensley
27     Lowell Scott
28     Joe Marino (1)

Most Muscular
1     Art Harris
2     George Orlando

                               good point, if you look at the pics from 1955 harry is the guy on right all those guys  next to him placed above him in the contest. he should have won that year.

[oldtimer1]

Art was light years away from the rest. No way would they give the title of Mr. America to a black guy back then.

[Vince B]

In the fifties Muscle Beach became the place to be for many bodybuilders. You know the scene. Muscleheads living near the beach and not wanting to work so what do many do? Use their bodies to make money.

So if you were seen in those quasi gay magazines such as Adonis, etc., posing nude or in a G-string you could kiss goodbye to ever winning the AAU Mr America title.

Along comes Joe Weider to the rescue and he has his own Mr America title. The great Sergio Oliva could place only 4th in the AAU....of course he won Most Muscular Man! Sergio insisted on entering the IFBB Mr America contest because he wanted that title. He won it on the same day he won the IFBB Mr Universe. Larry Scott also never competed in the AAU Mr America. That title wasn't a strictly bodybuilding contest and more of a muscle pageant. I can tell you back in 1959-60 there was a lot of controversy when Harry was awarded Mr America.

[robcguns]

there was an IFBB pro named Harry Dinger.  he was 5 time mr. Turkey

Hahahha also a good one.

[funk51]

In the fifties Muscle Beach became the place to be for many bodybuilders. You know the scene. Muscleheads living near the beach and not wanting to work so what do many do? Use their bodies to make money.

So if you were seen in those quasi gay magazines such as Adonis, etc., posing nude or in a G-string you could kiss goodbye to ever winning the AAU Mr America title.

Along comes Joe Weider to the rescue and he has his own Mr America title. The great Sergio Oliva could place only 4th in the AAU....of course he won Most Muscular Man! Sergio insisted on entering the IFBB Mr America contest because he wanted that title. He won it on the same day he won the IFBB Mr Universe. Larry Scott also never competed in the AAU Mr America. That title wasn't a strictly bodybuilding contest and more of a muscle pageant. I can tell you back in 1959-60 there was a lot of controversy when Harry was awarded Mr America.

[funk51]