Author Topic: Golds Gym - "The Mecca", when it really was "The Mecca"  (Read 463549 times)

stuntmovie

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #375 on: November 22, 2011, 10:49:27 PM »
Thanks, HAZ! Pete is a great guy and I've known him for many years.

A few years back I was having lunch with Pete and we were talking about his life and the crazy shit he's done and the great and crazy people we've had the privledge to meet and associate with  ... and we briefly discussed the possibility of writing about the inside world of bodybuilding since day #1 whenever that was.

But as we discussed it Pete decided that we'd better not because neither of us would be alive to autograph copies of the first edition.

If you ever do appear in Vega while Pete's in town. we gotta get together for a lengthy lucnh and do some serious talking.

I can guarantee ya that it'll be an experience long remembered, and you too just might find yourself on some unknown individual's hit list.

hazbin

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #376 on: November 22, 2011, 10:53:11 PM »
Thanks, HAZ! Pete is a great guy and I've known him for many years.

A few years back I was having lunch with Pete and we were talking about his life and the crazy shit he's done and the great and crazy people we've had the privledge to meet and associate with  ... and we briefly discussed the possibility of writing about the inside world of bodybuilding since day #1 whenever that was.

But as we discussed it Pete decided that we'd better not because neither of us would be alive to autograph copies of the first edition.

If you ever do appear in Vega while Pete's in town. we gotta get together for a lengthy lucnh and do some serious talking.

I can guarantee ya that it'll be an experience long remembered, and you too just might find yourself on some unknown individual's hit list.

does he head to Vegas often? i would definately make the trip if i got to listen to him for an hour.

Vince B

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #377 on: November 22, 2011, 10:55:07 PM »
What happened between Keith and Pete that soured the friendship? Keith never said but it might have something to do with $. Keith used to post a lot about the good times those two had. A pity they weren't friends at the end.

stuntmovie

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #378 on: November 22, 2011, 11:03:39 PM »
HAZ, OK, I'll let him know that.

BTW, If you met Pete and Keith together, you most likely met me also. I was that dumb looking guy standing  in the background watching for the cops to come and arrest us for having too much of a good time.

I actually did get escorted from a casino for having too much of a good time many years ago and Pete was definitely the instigator in that Las Vegas episode.

hazbin

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #379 on: November 22, 2011, 11:12:43 PM »
HAZ, OK, I'll let him know that.

BTW, If you met Pete and Keith together, you most likely met me also. I was that dumb looking guy standing  in the background watching for the cops to come and arrest us for having too much of a good time.

I actually did get escorted from a casino for having too much of a good time many years ago and Pete was definitely the instigator in that Las Vegas episode.

when you see him, if you have your computer show him my pic, ask him if he remembers me. he probably doesn't, but he was extremely nice and talked without holding back about the stuff they took way back then. i told him i woulda looked much different if i had talked to him when i was still in hard training.

and yes, i may have met you. it was when Pete had that green suit on, and Keith was wearing the flannel shirt and ballcap. i'm pissed at myself for not making it back to see Keith again before he passed.

stuntmovie

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #380 on: November 22, 2011, 11:17:22 PM »
Vince. I was present and part of that "argument" when it ocurred....  and it was definitely not as you seem to have visualized.

I'll explain parts of that episode later. Right now it's too damn late and we're going out to find the coyote/coyotes that have been causing a disturbence in the  neighborhood. Vigilante style!

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #381 on: November 23, 2011, 10:00:57 AM »
1980 Mr. America was held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

Overall Winner Gary Leonard

HeavyWeight
1     Gary Leonard
2     Greg DeFerro
3     Lance Dreher
4     John Kemper
5     Billy Arlen
6     John Brown
7     Ray Wilson
8     Rufus Howard
9     Marlon Darton
10     Stephen Sepaniak
11     Robert Reis
12     Dave Rogers

Light-HeavyWeight
1     Bronston Austin
2     Ron Teufel
3     Ernie Santiago
4     Charles Glass
5     James Seitzer
6     Robert Jodkiewicz
7     Paul Love
8     Larry Jackson (1)
9     Raymond Gingo
10     Patrick Hayes
11     Jesse Gautreaux
12     George Palmiero

MiddleWeight
1     Richard Baldwin
2     Bill Register
3     Casey Schneider
4     Mike Torchia
5     Derek Prescod
6     Charles Colson
7     Anthony Pandolfo
8     Ed Holmes
9     Earl Herndon
10     Philip Cianciolo
11     James Gaubert
12     David Campbell (1)

LightWeight
1     Ken Passariello
2     John Burkholder
3     Joe Distinti
4     Larry Manuel
5     Paul Daniels
6     Joe Adams
7     John Manoogian
8     Lionel Gaubert
9     Robert DePalma
10     Cornell Maye
11     Dean Tornabene

 
Ray Wilson and Pat Hayes used to train at  our gym back in the day.

Figo

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #382 on: November 23, 2011, 10:33:14 AM »
Stunt, Maxrep,

Thanks for sharing, keep it coming

stuntmovie

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #383 on: November 23, 2011, 11:08:59 AM »
HAZ, Was that meeting with Pete and Keith at the Oly Expo or at the hotel?

It was a couple of years ago during the Olympia that Pete and Keith and myself had an impromptu meeting during one of the meals at the Orleans coffee shop and we soon found ourselves sitting with and chatting with close to 20 individuals who were well aware of Pete and Keith,

Once the conversations started it was impossible to ask them to leave so that we could continue with our meeting.

Pete and Keith are/were both the type of people that attract others that lead to long term conversations about every subject imaginable.

WHere is your picture located? And I'll do my best to see when he will be returning. He's usually always here for the O.

Stunt

stuntmovie

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #384 on: November 23, 2011, 11:13:33 AM »
GOtta interrupt with a station break ...

Max_Rep

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #385 on: November 23, 2011, 12:10:26 PM »
Wes, Haz, figo, stunt... the Peter Grymko stories I could tell! I had dinner with Pete and his wife 4-5 years ago in their home in Apple Valley. Fun, fun time and the guy does not change. I think he cracked out the pot within about 20 minutes of greeting me and my business partner at the door (I didn't partake -stuff messes with me). We were out his way for a meeting so hhe invited us over. He was mentioned in those articles I posted but not by name. It talked about one guy and crazy dosages.

I got a very strong impression that Pete got hit up for every business venture out there and maybe that's what happened between Kieth and Pete.

Pat Hayes had a great build. He trained at Gold's for a while. Another guy I thought had all the right tools to become great was Casey Schneider but he never seemed to make the top placings. I got a few workouts in with Bob Reis. The guy was amazingly strong (at least compared to other guys I trained with).  

Anyone remember Marty and Pete Vranicar from the East Coast? I never met them or saw them out here but they had great builds.

 
and keep moving!

njflex

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #386 on: November 23, 2011, 12:15:10 PM »
Wes, Haz, figo, stunt... the Peter Grymko stories I could tell! I had dinner with Pete and his wife 4-5 years ago in their home in Apple Valley. Fun, fun time and the guy does not change. I think he cracked out the pot within about 20 minutes of greeting me and my business partner at the door (I didn't partake -stuff messes with me). We were out his way for a meeting so hhe invited us over. He was mentioned in those articles I posted but not by name. It talked about one guy and crazy dosages.

I got a very strong impression that Pete got hit up for every business venture out there and maybe that's what happened between Kieth and Pete.

Pat Hayes had a great build. He trained at Gold's for a while. Another guy I thought had all the right tools to become great was Casey Schneider but he never seemed to make the top placings. I got a few workouts in with Bob Reis. The guy was amazingly strong (at least compared to other guys I trained with).  
marty looked great and he did masters show recently looked great as well,,no i don't know him saw pics,,,

Anyone remember Marty and Pete Vranicar from the East Coast? I never met them or saw them out here but they had great builds.

 

nosleep

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #387 on: November 23, 2011, 12:15:19 PM »
MEDICATED BY STRANGO

hazbin

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #388 on: November 23, 2011, 12:19:00 PM »
Wes, Haz, figo, stunt... the Peter Grymko stories I could tell! I had dinner with Pete and his wife 4-5 years ago in their home in Apple Valley. Fun, fun time and the guy does not change. I think he cracked out the pot within about 20 minutes of greeting me and my business partner at the door (I didn't partake -stuff messes with me). We were out his way for a meeting so hhe invited us over. He was mentioned in those articles I posted but not by name. It talked about one guy and crazy dosages.

I got a very strong impression that Pete got hit up for every business venture out there and maybe that's what happened between Kieth and Pete.

Pat Hayes had a great build. He trained at Gold's for a while. Another guy I thought had all the right tools to become great was Casey Schneider but he never seemed to make the top placings. I got a few workouts in with Bob Reis. The guy was amazingly strong (at least compared to other guys I trained with).  

Anyone remember Marty and Pete Vranicar from the East Coast? I never met them or saw them out here but they had great builds.

 

i know all those guys through the magazines only dammit. i could probably tell you something about every obscure bodybuilder that ever got featured in a muscle mag. i remember reading that when Pete decided to leave the east he drove straight to venice with no brakes in his car. he said he was awesome at downshifting and e-braking by the time he arrived. i have all the old mags where he kept placing second in the mr. A because he was too outspoken about his drug use to win in the AAU. lol

hazbin

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #389 on: November 23, 2011, 12:20:39 PM »
Wes, Haz, figo, stunt... the Peter Grymko stories I could tell! I had dinner with Pete and his wife 4-5 years ago in their home in Apple Valley. Fun, fun time and the guy does not change. I think he cracked out the pot within about 20 minutes of greeting me and my business partner at the door (I didn't partake -stuff messes with me). We were out his way for a meeting so hhe invited us over. He was mentioned in those articles I posted but not by name. It talked about one guy and crazy dosages.

I got a very strong impression that Pete got hit up for every business venture out there and maybe that's what happened between Kieth and Pete.

Pat Hayes had a great build. He trained at Gold's for a while. Another guy I thought had all the right tools to become great was Casey Schneider but he never seemed to make the top placings. I got a few workouts in with Bob Reis. The guy was amazingly strong (at least compared to other guys I trained with).  

Anyone remember Marty and Pete Vranicar from the East Coast? I never met them or saw them out here but they had great builds.

 

Mike Arvilla is friends with the Vranicar's if i remember correct.

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #390 on: November 23, 2011, 12:32:37 PM »
David,Haz,Stunt,crownshep,and many others who offered input and memories of days gone by......thanks for making this thread even better than it was with just awesome pics!!   ;)

 8)









Recent shot of Marty turning pro!!




dr.chimps

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #391 on: November 23, 2011, 12:36:41 PM »
FUCK. THIS DUDE LOOKS GREAT.
Rick Wayne. Good writer, as well.

hazbin

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #392 on: November 23, 2011, 12:37:34 PM »
i have a pic of a 1979 IFBB pro show with Callender, Coe, Robinson and 5 or six other top guys. at the end of the lineup is Grymko and he is easily six inches wider than all of them. i'll see if i can scan it without wrecking the mag.

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #393 on: November 23, 2011, 12:38:09 PM »
Got a few pics of Pat Hayes and Ray Wilson,but it won`t ley me post them.....not in the correct jpg. format or some silly shit!!  :(

hazbin

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #394 on: November 23, 2011, 12:39:44 PM »
Rick Wayne. Good writer, as well.

rick ended up being a consultant or something for the leader (Prime Minister?) of St. Lucia i think i recall. and married Mae Mollica.

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #395 on: November 23, 2011, 12:45:40 PM »
I guess we`ll just have to post some Grymko shots !  8)







dr.chimps

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #396 on: November 23, 2011, 12:48:25 PM »
rick ended up being a consultant or something for the leader (Prime Minister?) of St. Lucia i think i recall. and married Mae Mollica.
Good for him. I always got the feeling he was ill-used by the industry.

hazbin

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #397 on: November 23, 2011, 12:59:12 PM »
I guess we`ll just have to post some Grymko shots !  8)








one of the best compliments i ever got was when someone compared me to Grymko at this show. 5'9  239lbs  2nd place

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #398 on: November 23, 2011, 12:59:17 PM »
Problem with Firefox....more Grymko shots coming up!!  8)












wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #399 on: November 23, 2011, 01:00:29 PM »
one of the best compliments i ever got was when someone compared me to Grymko at this show. 5'9  239lbs
Christ,you`re dwarfing those guys!!