Author Topic: Golds Gym - "The Mecca", when it really was "The Mecca"  (Read 463423 times)

Figo

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #425 on: November 24, 2011, 03:46:55 AM »
Pete won the 77 Mr America in the heavyweight class and also the Mr World that year,so i think they let him turn pro on that basis.
thanks

I thought he'd never turned pro

stuntmovie

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #426 on: November 24, 2011, 07:53:29 AM »
Some of this stuff you guys have been asking and talking about are the very reason that I recommended we write that book about the inside story of bodybuilding .... from the 'viewpoint' of three to four individuals (been there, done that type of guys) who have been involved through the 40's, 50's, 60' and 70's because in just a few years all that 'knowledge' will pass on to greener pastures or warmer regions down below..

Pete's story alone .... his move from the east coast to California and how he and his partners became Gold's Gym owners and the true story how they built a small gym in Santa Monica into a world wide business, etc is in itself fascinating and somewhat unbelievable.

But that would only be one chapter in a book of unending chapters that would include the likes of individuals who were important within the world of bodybuilding - i.e. the usual suspects.

But it would also include chapters regarding the unimportant but colorful characters in the game who have never received the publicity they so rightfully deserve - i.e. the unusual suspects.

Somewhere on this computer I have an endless list of names of individuals who will be included in this book if I ever get it written (PETE, are you reading this?) and that list includes the 'usual suspects" you GetBiggers all love and hate plus many others whom you've most likely never heard of ...including you, WES and HAZ!

For example here are just a few relatively unknown but colorful characters from that list who have contributed directly or indirectly and in their own way to what we call 'bodybuilding' today,

Gene Mozee
Ed Yarick
Bill Peanuts West
George Frenn
Rev, Zuver
Rhino
Wynn Paris
Joe Valdez
Walt Baptiste
Ed Holvochick
Bill Starr
etc, etc.
And for old times sake, let me add Casey Sneider

Plus a couple hundred others who have interesting stories that should be told.

Add those to the 'usual suspects' whose names within the bodybuilding world we're all somewhat familiar with .... but whose importance is a mystery and .... that book would be endless.

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #427 on: November 24, 2011, 11:40:07 AM »
Thanks Stunt.....some legendary "iron game" names on that list,especially that Wes guy!  LOL  ;D

Max_Rep

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #428 on: November 24, 2011, 11:51:40 AM »
Clearly huge, one of the biggest of his day

When/which comp did he turn pro?

As to the transition from squatter to owner, as you said, I've wondered bout that before too..

He turned Pro at a Mr. World competition in Mexico. He used to hang with a bunch of wise guys back in Rochester and he was a huge gear connection himself. That's why everyone would say I'm going over to see Dr. Peter and get my medication. He always referred to gear as "my medi--kay--tion. Then he'd do the Grymko laugh.  

His portion of the down payment on Gold's was not a huge amount of money (something like $14k). The building was leased, the equipment was run down, there was no Gold's licensing and the former owners wife had just passed from cancer (or was about to). Pete brought in Ed Conners and another guy but that guy didn't stay and Tim Kimber (from Rochester) bought in and became the 3rd partner.

Pete brought in his brother Paul as a salesman and Ed had the legal work done on the licensing program. They struggled to stay afloat the first year or two because members were leaving due to the equipment being in such poor repair. Three things turned it around. The first was Hart-to-Hart moving the gym to the bigger and newer location (where it is today). I guess they paid the guy's a nice sum of money to use the gym on an episode (I was an extra) the second was they struck the deal with Flex Equipment company to use Gold's as a showcase for their equipment so when potential Gold's licensee's would come to town, they'd see a gym-full of nice new equipment. Third, Pete told me that most of the money they made from Gold's came from the sale of T-shirts, etc. At one point Gold's Gym T-shirts were #2 in the World in their category with only Harley Davidson ahead of them. They were giving them away to Hulk Hogan, Stallone, David Lee Roth and everyone had to have a Gold's Gym T-Shirt.    

People all talk about how crazy Pete was but many forget Pete had a quality that’s essential in business. Charisma times 10. Pete always had an amazing ability to make people laugh and feel good about themselves and people of influence loved being around him. The new owners were able to buy the gym but they couldn’t buy that.  
and keep moving!

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #429 on: November 24, 2011, 11:52:43 AM »
 8)
















wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #430 on: November 24, 2011, 11:58:56 AM »
Tim Kimber these days.......into music now.
http://www.timkimbermusic.com/index.html


crownshep

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #431 on: November 24, 2011, 11:59:54 AM »
Thanks for the info Max,very interesting,and how brave (or crazy) must Dave Dupree be for standing under an elephant.I wonder if that was when they had the 77 America and the guys rode down the street on elephants,i remember seeing pics of Ken Waller on one.

crownshep

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #432 on: November 24, 2011, 12:02:04 PM »
This is a pic from the 77 America.

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #433 on: November 24, 2011, 12:02:28 PM »
Thanks for the info Max,very interesting,and how brave (or crazy) must Dave Dupree be for standing under an elephant.I wonder if that was when they had the 77 America and the guys rode down the street on elephants,i remember seeing pics of Ken Waller on one.
Yes Shep,its from the parade for the 77 Mr. America contest.

Wasn`t Rudy Hermosillo on the elephant with Waller?


Max_Rep

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #434 on: November 24, 2011, 12:05:54 PM »
OMG Stunt. Wynn Paris... talk about colorful characters. What a nutcase. The guy had the lock on the juice bars for Jack LaLanne European health spa's when it was run by Ray Wilson and his group. One of the managers told me Wynn would show up at key meetings in his bathrobe. After meeting him a few times I believe it.

CF Smith came around Ray Mentzer's Gym a few times. He was a huge calorie is just a calorie guy and would get in shape for a show eating Big Mac's. He and his wife went crazy on amphetamines from what I remember. That was around the same time as Mike Mentzer's bank incident. Maybe they got the same batch? Hmmmm.

Fun thread glad to see Crown and Wes into the mix.  
and keep moving!

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #435 on: November 24, 2011, 12:12:29 PM »
OMG Stunt. Wynn Paris... talk about colorful characters. What a nutcase. The guy had the lock on the juice bars for Jack LaLanne European health spa's when it was run by Ray Wilson and his group. One of the managers told me Wynn would show up at key meetings in his bathrobe. After meeting him a few times I believe it.

CF Smith came around Ray Mentzer's Gym a few times. He was a huge calorie is just a calorie guy and would get in shape for a show eating Big Mac's. He and his wife went crazy on amphetamines from what I remember. That was around the same time as Mike Mentzer's bank incident. Maybe they got the same batch? Hmmmm.

Fun thread glad to see Crown and Wes into the mix. 
Funny stuff David...........you meet some real nuts in this sport,but overall,most are great people.

I guess you have to be a little fucking crazy to be a bodybuilder anyway!  :)

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #436 on: November 24, 2011, 12:13:39 PM »
This is a pic from the 77 America.
OK,thanks Shep.  :)

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #437 on: November 24, 2011, 12:15:13 PM »
Fun thread glad to see Crown and Wes into the mix. 
Are you kidding me,I`m glad you Shep,Stunt and Haz are in the thread.....you guys were there for a lot of legendary shit.

Max_Rep

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #438 on: November 24, 2011, 12:34:16 PM »
Are you kidding me,I`m glad you Shep,Stunt and Haz are in the thread.....you guys were there for a lot of legendary shit.

Wes amazingly I didn't really realize how legendary it was at the time. I just loved training and like meeting the guys and learning from them. I never really cared about competing (even though I did). I just wanted a good build. How the heck did I ever get to meet and train with some of the best in the World? I'm still trying to figure that one out.
and keep moving!

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #439 on: November 24, 2011, 12:45:21 PM »
Wes amazingly I didn't really realize how legendary it was at the time. I just loved training and like meeting the guys and learning from them. I never really cared about competing (even though I did). I just wanted a good build. How the heck did I ever get to meet and train with some of the best in the World? I'm still trying to figure that one out.
In the right place,at the right time my friend.

we had some greats in the gyms I trained in back east,but none ever got too much coverage except for Jeff King and Matt Dufresne.

slate

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #440 on: November 24, 2011, 01:26:07 PM »
not going to read 18 pages of this crap the first 5 pages are enough

all I see is a group of closet homosexuals in a homo commune financed by old jewish schmoes

If anything things were worst then as there was no money other than (sugar) daddys

To call this Mecca should make muslims bomb the fucking place






wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #441 on: November 24, 2011, 01:29:10 PM »
not going to read 18 pages of this crap the first 5 pages are enough

all I see is a group of closet homosexuals in a homo commune financed by old jewish schmoes

If anything things were worst then as there was no money other than (sugar) daddys

To call this Mecca should make muslims bomb the fucking place






Back then,it wasn`t about the money,it was about a passion for training.

Siimply

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #442 on: November 24, 2011, 01:43:19 PM »


Damn, who is it ? Strong build ! Thanks in advance

slate

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #443 on: November 24, 2011, 01:44:49 PM »
shit I dont believe you are that naive

sure AHnold did not come out of the countryside in Austria to be touched by Ben etc-

yeah he liked the attention, and so did the others that joined then
all of them psychologically troubled craving for the big muscle suit for one reason or another - experimenting with new crap like everybody else was doing at the time

different drugs different groups

but make no mistake this party would not be happening if it want for the suggar dady's

it was pretty much like the Boogie nights movie with marky mark about the porn industry in the 60s- just with muscles and no fucking women




wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #444 on: November 24, 2011, 01:44:52 PM »
Dr. C.F. Smith,you`re welcome.

Siimply

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #445 on: November 24, 2011, 01:52:06 PM »



wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #446 on: November 24, 2011, 01:54:40 PM »
 8)












wild willie

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #447 on: November 24, 2011, 02:35:54 PM »
not going to read 18 pages of this crap the first 5 pages are enough

all I see is a group of closet homosexuals in a homo commune financed by old jewish schmoes

If anything things were worst then as there was no money other than (sugar) daddys

To call this Mecca should make muslims bomb the fucking place






PISS OFF...

wes

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #448 on: November 24, 2011, 02:40:48 PM »
 LOL ;D

THEBOSS

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Re: "The Mecca",When It Really Was "The Mecca"
« Reply #449 on: November 24, 2011, 03:25:55 PM »
Tim Kimber these days.......into music now.
http://www.timkimbermusic.com/index.html


;D he has a CHIMP named MR COLEMAN  ?