Getbig Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Forums
Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => History - Stories - and Memories => Topic started by: knny187 on May 07, 2008, 08:25:08 AM
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There's word going around on the net he passed away.
Can anyone verify this?
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PIP
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Probably another silly rumor.... :-\
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says something about it on ironage
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There's word going around on the net he passed away.
Can anyone verify this?
its true.
http://ironage.us/yabbse/index.php?topic=18345.0
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Is that the old man ab guy from the magazine ads? If so, I never realized he used to be so big.
RIP 'The King of Bodybuilders'
(http://www.ifbb.com/reports/images/ross2.jpg)(http://www.ifbbpro.com/wp-content/uploads/image/halloffame/ClarenceRoss1.jpg)
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Steroids finally got him.
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looks to be true
RIP
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RIP
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Steroids finally got him.
Clancy never used steroids.
He ran the very first commercial gym I ever joined and I was lucky to have known him.
Great guy. Will be very deeply missed by MANY.
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=211966.0
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R.I.P.
A true legend.
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Clancy never used steroids.
He ran the very first commercial gym I ever joined and I was lucky to have known him.
Great guy. Will be very deeply missed by MANY.
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=211966.0
Just a little funny Justice Brennan
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Just a little funny Justice Brennan
I too bummed out. Feel so sad.
I was never a BBer, just a weight lifter, until I graduated high school and joined the "Clancy Ross Mr. America Club". He made me a BBer.
(http://www.musclememory.com/images/vintage/RossClarence_1.jpg)
(http://www.musclememory.com/images/vintage/RossClarence_3.jpg)
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A man's man like Ross is gone and all the fairies on this board want to talk about is Chick and Lee "The Fire Hydrant" Priest.
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How old was he?
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How old was he?
Forget it. He woudn't be interested. He was straight as an arrow. Nothing like today's crop of "muscle escorts". In his day you would have gotten a black eye even for a handshake that lingered a moment too long.
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84 y/o
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was it steroids?
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Forget it. He woudn't be interested. He was straight as an arrow. Nothing like today's crop of "muscle escorts". In his day you would have gotten a black eye even for a handshake that lingered a moment too long.
HAHA Great post. RIP Clarence.
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Great pictures in the link to the other thread. These legends sure had great natural physiques. Powerful too. You don't see many guys able to do dips with two guys hanging on them.
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Very sad. Another legend from bodybuilding's golden era passes. Not too many left, I would think.
These were true bodybuilders who lifted weights simply because they enjoyed it.
I am saddened with this news. :(
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84 yo means he outlived normal male life expectancy by approx 5 yrs. Wonder how many pro BBers these days will do that.
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R.I.P.
A True Iron Warrior and a very nice guy...
8)
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(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/4mra.JPG)
4 Mr. America's: Alan Stephan, George Eiferman, Steve Reeves, Clarence Ross
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wasn't he a lawyer too by trade?
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(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/4mra.JPG)
4 Mr. America's: Alan Stephan, George Eiferman, Steve Reeves, Clarence Ross
Good photo.
Steve Reeves' clothing looks a bit strange though.
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Good photo.
Steve Reeves' clothing looks a bit strange though.
Steve and Clancy both need to tuck their shirts in.
That photo makes me quiet and feel like I ate a butterfly. I think about these four guys who came from spending time in orphanages/boarding schools because of the Great Depression...all served in WWII...out of weakness came the strong...the pioneers...these guys are the beginning of the Iron Game.
Goldie made Steve's shirts because the ones at the store didn't fit. Here's one without shirts...Steve and Clancy.
(http://www.schwarzenegger.it/mro/reeves/sr61.jpg)
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(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e196/Intenseone/RossCover.jpg)
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This is very sad. Modern bodybuilders could take a leaf out of the books of Ross, Reeves et al.
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God Bless
PS. How many of todays champions will make it to 84 years of age?
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Clancy was a cool kat. Mom & Dad signed me up for a membership in 1980, at his Mr. America Club in Walnut Creek. He had plenty of good stories and always enjoyed joking around with the current (at that time) crop of bodybuilders and powerlifters. His gym was excellent and was the center of bodybuilding in the East Bay. It later became a Gold's Gym and is still an excellent place to train, from what I hear.
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was it steroids?
yeah, at 84 they finally caught up ::)
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He will be missed, truly a great bodybuilder....
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havent heard from him... but PIP
yeah... i dont see ronnie going to 84 years old...
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84, a good run.
R.I.P
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A legend. I think he even beat Reeves once or twice.
RIP :(
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great legend
R.I.P
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I met Clancy back in the 70's. I was going up and down the west coast looking for gym equipment for a new business and ran into Clancy at some iron welding company over by the Oakland, California area. If I recall right he was involved with a company making various pully-type gym equipment somewhat similar to the Universal gear.
I walked into the warehouse and Clancy was sitting on a high stool with his leg in a cast resting on another stool. I asked him how he broke it and he said with a slight laugh.... "I fell off a bar-stool".
He gathered his crutches and showed me around the place and we talked about the "old days" and how things were swiftly changing (especially in the gym business).
Can anyone recall the name of that company that Clancy was involved with? Wasn't he also one of the principals in the short term American Health Studios of the 60's?
American Health Studios - another very interesting story about the world of bodybuilding from the days of yore.
RIP - Clancy!
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RIP was a good guy
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Always interesting stories, Stunt. Thanks for sharing.
Clancy was in the service until Nov. 1945. He then opened a gym in Alameda, CA. He worked with American Health Studios as manager of their West Coast Gyms.
(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/clancy.JPG)
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Always interesting stories, Stunt. Thanks for sharing.
Clancy was in the service until Nov. 1945. He then opened a gym in Alameda, CA. He worked with American Health Studios as manager of their West Coast Gyms.
If you look at the window in this pic, it says "Clarence Ross Physical Culture Studio".
Oakland was a hotbed for physical fitness in the 50's, 60s, 70's and even the 80's. Jack LaLanne did his top rated exercise TV show from Oakland (I still remember watching that show as a child). Norman Marks still has a major gym in Oakland to this day.
Mr. America Jack Dillinger used to run an exercise equipment store in Oakland, and Russ Warner had a studio/exercise equipment store in downtown Hayward (on A Street if I recall correctly).
The Olympia Gym (now Gold's) on Lake Merritt was probably the best equipped gym in the nation, even better than Gold's, in 1979, 80,81.
It was hopping back in the day in the Bay Area.
(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/4mra.JPG)
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Thanks, Montana! I believe that it was Clancy who signed me up at the West Portal location in SF. Long time ago so it could have even been Alan Stephan. But I do know for a fact that Steve Reeves came into the Gold Gate Avenue AHS location before they closed up and watched me benching one afternoon. I simply said "hello"with the intention of talking with him after my workout, but he was gone before I finished.
Johnny Vegas, how do you know all this? !!! You are one of the mightly few that knows about Oakland and bodybuilding in the 50's and beyond and you are ENTIRELY CORRECT.
Are you also aware of Lake Tamescal in the Oakland Hills and Rio Nido on the Russian River? Those were two of the bodybuilding hot-spots back in the 40's and the 50's? (I'll try to attach pictures of both spots at the end of this post.)
I knew all the guys you mentioned above (plus one you failed to mention who visited Oakland in the days of Reeves by the name of Reg Park) and that brings back a lot of good memories.
Back then bodybuilding was UNKNOWN except for a handful of guys in the SF Bay Area. Jack Lalanne had a gym (around the 300 block of Market Street in the dumpy part of town back then), and Walt Baptiste and his wife had a gym on Van Ness Avenue in a similar slockie location mostly catering to Yoga enthusiasts, and most of the serious odd lifters and bodybuilders trained at the YMCA on Golden Gate Avenue or over in Oakland at Yarick's.
ANd to the best of my memory that was the extent of it in the early 50's until a SF Police Office by the name of Bill Stathis opened a very small gym out in the Sunset neighborhood on Judah Street and close to 39th avenue, and for the more fortunate - The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
(Being a bit specific, because it sounds like you might know of these individuals and places.)
I can only recall BB contests being held in the Golden Gate YMCA or over in some old place in Oakland with no more than 5 or 6 competitors. The following names come to mind but I could be completely off base here .... Mel Knoll, Curt Freeman, Curt Haywood, and a handfull of others who were not as well known as Clancy and Steve and Reg and Norm and Al and George; but were as equally impressive. They just never had the chance to run into the likes of Russ Warner and Arti Zeller; and Weider was a relatively unknown entity back then.
Lake Tamescal was one of the spots where Steve would go to catch the sun on occasions. I first met him there when I was a little kid. He tapped me on the head while he was coming out of the water and said something like, "Get big, kid!" I must have been around 5 or 6 at the time and had no idea who he was until years later when he became pretty well known in the Bay Area.
One of the local newspapers did an interview with his mom and I recall reading it and Mrs Reeves telling the writer that her son never had a cold or a cavity. That same weekend we saw Steve and a couple of his friends in Rio Nido where every kid in the Bay Area went on Summer weekends to swim during the day and hit the dancefloor and meet the ladies during the evenings. Dick Crest was the big time orchestra leader back then we danced to stuff like Harlem Nocturn and Jungle Boy. No Rock and Roll till later on when Rock Around the Clock got our attention and just about started it all.
Those were different times than we find today. Times of "innocence" might be the best description.
The few guys in school who lifted weights followed Steve's routine to the letter - Three to four sets of 8 to 10 reps, three times a week - if I recall rightly. Gains were slow but noticeable. Vitamin E oil and yogurt were the maine supplements. Protein powders were non-existent to the best of my recollection.
Damn! Didn't intned to carry on like this but those were the days that are worth remembering.
Thanks, Montana, Thanks, Johnny.
I bow my head to all those greats.
I'll try to find a couple of those pictures now.......
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Pictures .... This first shot is Lake Tamescal. It used to be "outside" of Oakland city in what was once the countryside, but nowadays it's just about 20 yards from the freeway in the center of the Oakland civil population. I was just about five years old when I first met Steve Reeves who knew my dad and made it a point to tell me "Get big, kid!"
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Here's another shot of the Lake and beach ......
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Here's the only photo of Rio Nido that I can find at the moment. This is the road and the wooden bridge that led to what was the most popular beach in all of California outside of Muscle Beach in Santa Monica in the 50's.
Every kid and every bodybuilder who ever lived in the Bay Area during the 50's would be here on the weekends or regret if they wern't.
RIVA SAMACALE !!!!
We said it with pride and if you were there, you know what that means!
STEVE KNEW!
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Pictures .... This first shot is Lake Tamescal. It used to be "outside" of Oakland city in what was once the countryside, but nowadays it's just about 20 yards from the freeway in the center of the Oakland civil population. I was just about five years old when I first met Steve Reeves who knew my dad and made it a point to tell me "Get big, kid!"
Went to Lake Tamescal every summer as a kid.........right off the 24. Cool place.
Forgot to mention that Don Ross was the manager of Clancy's gym in Walnut Creek-or at least until Clancy fired him. At first I thought they were related, but they are not related ( I never really cared much for Don Ross). Don Ross then went to manage the Olympia gym on Lake Merritt when it first opened (in 1980 I think). The Olympia Gym was incredible-a Gold's for Nor Cal.
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R.I.P :(
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R.I.P.
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Went to Lake Tamescal every summer as a kid.........right off the 24. Cool place.
Forgot to mention that Don Ross was the manager of Clancy's gym in Walnut Creek-or at least until Clancy fired him. At first I thought they were related, but they are not related ( I never really cared much for Don Ross). Don Ross then went to manage the Olympia gym on Lake Merritt when it first opened (in 1980 I think). The Olympia Gym was incredible-a Gold's for Nor Cal.
Why didn't you like him?
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RIP :(
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Why didn't you like him?
He was like a stupid little kid, immature and not really too smart. Ultimately that is what it came down to, he just acted really stupid alot of the time and it bugged me.
Dont get me wrong-Great BBer, but I got tired of his attitude.
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There are some real nice historical posts by stuntmovie and JohnnyVegas in this thread. Maybe I should move it to the History board.
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Clancy was born in Oakland, California Oct 26, 1923. His mother died when he was very young and he was sent to an orphanage. He was later raised by various foster parents. He was skinny with rounded shoulders and was picked on because of his size, so he decided to participate in football, basketball and track to get big and strong. At 17 yrs. old (1941), he was was 5' 10", 135 lbs. and he began training with weights by following the york barbell system, putting on 15 lbs over a period of training. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour, Dec 7, 1941, Clancy joined the US Air Force and was stationed in Las Vegas. He was assigned as the weightlifting instructor because of his build/interests and trained alongside Cpl Leo Stern, who became a positive influence and helped him pack on 35 lbs. of muscle. Squats were one of his favorite muscles to train because he used to be called "bird legs." He usually trained 4 to 5 times a week. Here’s one of Clancy’s favourite routines that helped him become 1945 Mr. America, 1948 Mr. USA and 1955 Mr. Universe:
Warm up.
Legs
Squats 6 x 10 reps
Calf raises 4 x 25
Arms
Seated dumbbell curls 3 x 8
Preacher curls 3 x 8
Triceps pushdowns 3 x 10
Pushups on parallel bars 3 x 15
Chest Incline bench press 3 x 10
Bent arm laterals on bench 3 x 8
Abdominals
Leg raises on ab bench 200 reps
Situps on ab bench 200 reps
Side bends 100 reps each side
Shoulders
Lateral raises standing 3 x 8
Upright rowing 3 x 8
General Conditioner
Pulldowns all the way down to legs on lat machine 3 x 10
Clancy drank a lot of milk, ate a lot of protein and protein/weight gainer powders and supplements. He used 2 x 140 lb dumbbells in incline and normal bench presses...squatting, almost 400 lbs, barbell curls with 170 lbs. Clancy said: “If I had my life to liver over, there is only one slight change I would make. Instead of waiting until he was 17 years old to start training, I would have begun at 12 or 13. Life is so much more worth living when a person is strong and healthy. Now that I know the benefits, I would make every possible effort to start enjoying them just as young as possible. Building, good health and developing a muscular body is the world’s most fascinating hobby. It is one you never tire of, and one which brings you both success and happiness in life”.
(http://www.classicbodybuilders.com/bodybuilder/clarenceross/clarenceross9.jpg)
(http://www.classicbodybuilders.com/bodybuilder/clarenceross/clarenceross5.jpg)
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Thank you very much for the stories, Stunt and Johnny...and Stunt--for the pics too. Very gracious of you to take those and share with us. When you visit those places, it must bring back a lot of memories...
Ed Yarick's physical culture studio was at 3355 Foothill Blvd. in Oakland--where Steve and Clancy trained. His gym may have been like some of the other gyms of the day and was described this way...the room was a small rectangle about 50 feet deep and on the right when you walked in was Ed's wood desk where he measured and wrote down the size of your arms, chest, waist and legs. Then he walked you through the beginner's routine. There was a lat pull-down, a cable row, a leg extension device, a vertical leg press, and a few wall pulleys. On one wall the fixed weight barbells were vertically racked. On the other wall was a long rack of dumbbells ranging from 5s to 100s+. The weights had mirrors above them and framed photos of famous bodybuilders and weight lifters. There were a few flat benches and inclines. In the center of the room was an elevated wooden platform with 2 Olympic sets, plates, a squat rack and a heavy-duty flat bench. A small box on the floor had chalk in it for lifters to reach in and chalk their hands before gripping the Olympic bar. Beyond the platform and in the back of the room was a slant board for sit-ups and a leg extension piece of equipment. At the far end was a dressing room with 2 small, metal stall showers with plastic curtains, a tiny bathroom, several old lockers and a bench to sit on. This room led to a small back yard. Outside, there were barbells, dumbells and benches.
People came to Ed gym because Ed knew what to do and was a nice guy too. Steve's mom Goldie said, "I don't think enough good can be said about Ed Yarick" (something like that). Ed was 6'4" and 250 lbs. Strongmen John Davis and Tommy Kono of the U.S. Olympic team trained at Ed's.
Clarence Ross's Physical Culture Studio was at 2306 Encinal Ave., Almeda.
Steve Reeves Athletic Club was at 6th and Alton Rd. in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Pudgy and Les Stockton was at 1392 Sunset Blvd./9323 W. Pica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA.
Alan Stephan's gym was at 414 1/2 Hennepin, Minnesota.
Jack LaLanne's was at 377 17th St. in Oakland, CA.
John Farbotnik's Gym was at 1106 E. Colorado St., Glendale, CA.
Tanny's "The Cave" was at 4th and Broadway in Santa Monica, CA.
Leong's Physical Culture was at 1076 S. King and On the Mall.
Leo Stern's was at 3829 Granada Ave. San Diego, CA.
Bert Goodrich's was at 6624 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA.
Sig Klein's was at 717 Seventh Ave. New York, NY.
Vic Tanny's was at Vermont Ave. and 85th St. Los Angeles, CA.
(http://www.schwarzenegger.it/mro/reeves/sr20.jpg)
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Good stuff, don't know where you got all the addresses but it is a gold mine.
Funny thing is Leo Stern's Gym is still in business, and is still located on Granada Ave in San Diego, 50 feet south of University. I was a member and trained there in the past. Sherman Brown is the owner today-cool guy. Stern's Gym is the OLDEST gym in the nation. Started in 1946, and has been at the Granada location since 1948. (wow, 60 years in the same location this year!)-and it is old school and hardcore. They had a letter on the wall Arnold wrote them for their 50 year anniversary in 1996.
I see Vic Tannny had a gym on Vermont Ave in LA, that is a war zone area today-very rough and tough. Tanny had a number of gyms in the LA area in the 40's and 50's. In fact Howard Zinkin (Mr. California, inventor of the Universal Weight Lifting Machine) trained at one of Tanny's gyms.
I also have an old California picture book published by Sunset Magazine (1963) titled "Beautiful California" and in one pic it has one of the old American Health Studio gyms,on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena (Rose Bowl Parade pic).
(http://sternsgym.com/images/i_stern.jpg)
(http://sternsgym.com/images/i_stern2.jpg)
(http://sternsgym.com/images/i_topbanner_02_02.jpg)
http://sternsgym.com/pages/index2.htm
Clarence Ross's Physical Culture Studio was at 2306 Encinal Ave., Almeda.
Steve Reeves Athletic Club was at 6th and Alton Rd. in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Pudgy and Les Stockton was at 1392 Sunset Blvd./9323 W. Pica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA.
Alan Stephan's gym was at 414 1/2 Hennepin, Minnesota.
Jack LaLanne's was at 377 17th St. in Oakland, CA.
John Farbotnik's Gym was at 1106 E. Colorado St., Glendale, CA.
Tanny's "The Cave" was at 4th and Broadway in Santa Monica, CA.
Leong's Physical Culture was at 1076 S. King and On the Mall.
Leo Stern's was at 3829 Granada Ave. San Diego, CA.
Bert Goodrich's was at 6624 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA.
Sig Klein's was at 717 Seventh Ave. New York, NY.
Vic Tanny's was at Vermont Ave. and 85th St. Los Angeles, CA.
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Clancy was born in Oakland, California Oct 26, 1923. His mother died when he was very young and he was sent to an orphanage. He was later raised by various foster parents. He was skinny with rounded shoulders and was picked on because of his size, so he decided to participate in football, basketball and track to get big and strong. At 17 yrs. old (1941), he was was 5' 10", 135 lbs. and he began training with weights by following the york barbell system, putting on 15 lbs over a period of training. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour, Dec 7, 1941, Clancy joined the US Air Force and was stationed in Las Vegas. He was assigned as the weightlifting instructor because of his build/interests and trained alongside Cpl Leo Stern, who became a positive influence and helped him pack on 35 lbs. of muscle. Squats were one of his favorite muscles to train because he used to be called "bird legs." He usually trained 4 to 5 times a week. Here’s one of Clancy’s favourite routines that helped him become 1945 Mr. America, 1948 Mr. USA and 1955 Mr. Universe:
Warm up.
Legs
Squats 6 x 10 reps
Calf raises 4 x 25
Arms
Seated dumbbell curls 3 x 8
Preacher curls 3 x 8
Triceps pushdowns 3 x 10
Pushups on parallel bars 3 x 15
Chest Incline bench press 3 x 10
Bent arm laterals on bench 3 x 8
Abdominals
Leg raises on ab bench 200 reps
Situps on ab bench 200 reps
Side bends 100 reps each side
Shoulders
Lateral raises standing 3 x 8
Upright rowing 3 x 8
General Conditioner
Pulldowns all the way down to legs on lat machine 3 x 10
Clancy drank a lot of milk, ate a lot of protein and protein/weight gainer powders and supplements. He used 2 x 140 lb dumbbells in incline and normal bench presses...squatting, almost 400 lbs, barbell curls with 170 lbs. Clancy said: “If I had my life to liver over, there is only one slight change I would make. Instead of waiting until he was 17 years old to start training, I would have begun at 12 or 13. Life is so much more worth living when a person is strong and healthy. Now that I know the benefits, I would make every possible effort to start enjoying them just as young as possible. Building, good health and developing a muscular body is the world’s most fascinating hobby. It is one you never tire of, and one which brings you both success and happiness in life”.
(http://www.classicbodybuilders.com/bodybuilder/clarenceross/clarenceross9.jpg)
(http://www.classicbodybuilders.com/bodybuilder/clarenceross/clarenceross5.jpg)
Made in Montana... Do you have any idea how Clancy broke up his routine in the week? I didn't see any back work in there.
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Thanks, Montana and Max! I can't tell you when, but I will do my best to go to those old time gym locations and shoot some current day pictures and post them on here. That's quite a list, Montana!
I read most of these comments very swiftly because I am taking the kids to see "Speed Racer" so I realize I'm hopping over some great info but I do recall visiting Stern's Gym back in the early 60's in an attempt to contact Bill Pearl.
Correct me if I'm wrong here, Johnny, but I do recall (or "think" I recall) that the gym was on a busy downtown street and you had to walk up a narrow flight of stairs. Once inside, it was full of old but hard-core equipment.
I regret to say that Leo was not there that day and neither was Bill, but I did "meet" Bill a few months later as he was driving his truck up the Pacific Coast Highway through the Camp Pendleton MC Base coastline in the vicinity of Tressels. But I only honked and gave him a salute and passed on by.
A couple of years later, a good friend of mine got out of the Corps and moved to Pasadena specifically to train with Bill. At that first membership meeting, Bill asked him what he did for a living, and Rob simply stated that he had just been released from active duty and wasn't employed yet.
Bill told him to get a job and a place to stay before he started training in earnest and then come back and get serious with the weights.
Over the next few years, he became close friends with Bill and Judy and I met Bill and his family during one of my summer visits to So Cal.
Bill now lives way up north so I only run into him on rare occasions at various gym related functions. He is one of the best of the best and always has the time to recall those good old days and make recommendations to those newly involved with bodybuilding.
I honestly have never met a better person in this game, and, believe me, I have met the cast majority of them since the early days.
So, I'll do my best to get those photos shot and posted on here for anyone who may be interested.
Thanks again. S OH YEA! There is a Gold's Gym facing Lake Merritt in Oakland. I read a brief mention of that location earlier. Can that person provide additional details about that spot? Off with the kids to see that racing movie and about $60 worth of popcorn, Used to cost a dime a bag but no more!
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I do recall visiting Stern's Gym back in the early 60's in an attempt to contact Bill Pearl.
Correct me if I'm wrong here, Johnny, but I do recall (or "think" I recall) that the gym was on a busy downtown street and you had to walk up a narrow flight of stairs. Once inside, it was full of old but hard-core equipment.
I regret to say that Leo was not there that day and neither was Bill, but I did "meet" Bill a few months later as he was driving his truck up the Pacific Coast Highway through the Camp Pendleton MC Base coastline in the vicinity of Tressels. But I only honked and gave him a salute and passed on by.
Yep, that's Stern's Gym.
University Ave and El Cajon Bl. are the main west/east corridors in San Diego-and Stern's is right there at Granada and University-up those stairs!
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Made in Montana... Do you have any idea how Clancy broke up his routine in the week? I didn't see any back work in there.
Yea..I'd be really interested to know.
Seeing as he trained 4/5 days a week. This can't be the only routine - especially with no back work.
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R.I.P Clancy
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RIP Clancy, God speed!
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This is one hell of a BBer and great guy.
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=213894.0;attach=251394;image)
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Thank you, Stunt and Johnny...very interesting stories and info. One week ago, Clancy could have answered training questions here himself...
For back, Clancy did 3 sets of pullovers with dumbells, lat machine pullovers, leaning row motions and one-arm rowing machine. When he first started out, Clancy was doing whole body routines 3Xweek (like Steve did). He followed the York Barbell and Dumbell System:
Course 1 (9 weeks): 3 X week
1. Barbell Swing: 2 sets/12 reps
2. Squat: 2 sets/9 reps
3. Pullovers: 2 sets/12 reps
4. Bench Press: 2 sets/8 reps
5. Press Behind Neck: 2 sets/8 reps
6. Bent Over Rowing: 2 sets/10 reps
7. Barbell Curls: 2 sets/10 reps
8. Bent Legged Dead Lift: 2 sets/7 reps
9. Sit-ups: 2 sets/10 reps
10. Leg Raise: 2 sets/10 reps
Course 2 (9 weeks): 3 X week
1. Squat: 3 sets/9 reps
2. Pullover: 3 sets/10 reps
3. Bent Arm Laterals: 2 sets/10 reps
4. Bench Press: 3 sets/8 reps
5. Press Behind Neck: 3 sets/10 reps
6. Upright Rowing: 2 sets/8 reps
7. Alternate Dumbell Press (Standing): 2 sets/8 reps
8. Standing Dumbell Curl: 3 sets/8 reps
9. Lying Triceps Curl (Extension): 3 sets/8 reps
10. Sit-ups: 3 sets/12 reps
11. Leg Raise: 3 sets/10 reps
Course 3 (6 weeks): 3 X week
1. Squat: 4 sets/8 reps
2. Pullover: 4 sets/10 reps
3. Bent Arm Pullover: 3 sets/8 reps
4. Bench Press: 4 sets/8 reps
5. Dips: 3 sets/10 reps
6. Dumbell Bench Press: 4 sets/8 reps
7. Barbell Curl: 4 sets/8 reps
8. Two Hands Dumbell Curl: 4 sets/10 reps
Course 4 (6 weeks): 3 X week
1. Bent Arm Pullover: 3 sets/12 reps
2. Bench Press: 6 sets/6 reps
3. Incline Dumbell Press: 5 sets/10 reps
4. Seated Barbell Press Behind Neck: 5 sets/6 reps
5. Upright Rowing: 4 sets/8 reps
6. Lying Triceps Curl: 5 sets/10 reps
7. Barbell Curl: 5 sets/8 reps
For back, shoulders and chest Clancy did upright rowing--10 with 110, then 10 with 130, then 10 with 150...
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Tanny's Santa Monica was not the "cave" it was called the "dungeon".
Bill Pearl Gym
1943 West Manchester Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90047
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Thank you, Stunt and Johnny...very interesting stories and info. One week ago, Clancy could have answered training questions here himself...
For back, Clancy did 3 sets of pullovers with dumbells, lat machine pullovers, leaning row motions and one-arm rowing machine. When he first started out, Clancy was doing whole body routines 3Xweek (like Steve did). He followed the York Barbell and Dumbell System:
Course 1 (9 weeks): 3 X week
1. Barbell Swing: 2 sets/12 reps
2. Squat: 2 sets/9 reps
3. Pullovers: 2 sets/12 reps
4. Bench Press: 2 sets/8 reps
5. Press Behind Neck: 2 sets/8 reps
6. Bent Over Rowing: 2 sets/10 reps
7. Barbell Curls: 2 sets/10 reps
8. Bent Legged Dead Lift: 2 sets/7 reps
9. Sit-ups: 2 sets/10 reps
10. Leg Raise: 2 sets/10 reps
Course 2 (9 weeks): 3 X week
1. Squat: 3 sets/9 reps
2. Pullover: 3 sets/10 reps
3. Bent Arm Laterals: 2 sets/10 reps
4. Bench Press: 3 sets/8 reps
5. Press Behind Neck: 3 sets/10 reps
6. Upright Rowing: 2 sets/8 reps
7. Alternate Dumbell Press (Standing): 2 sets/8 reps
8. Standing Dumbell Curl: 3 sets/8 reps
9. Lying Triceps Curl (Extension): 3 sets/8 reps
10. Sit-ups: 3 sets/12 reps
11. Leg Raise: 3 sets/10 reps
Course 3 (6 weeks): 3 X week
1. Squat: 4 sets/8 reps
2. Pullover: 4 sets/10 reps
3. Bent Arm Pullover: 3 sets/8 reps
4. Bench Press: 4 sets/8 reps
5. Dips: 3 sets/10 reps
6. Dumbell Bench Press: 4 sets/8 reps
7. Barbell Curl: 4 sets/8 reps
8. Two Hands Dumbell Curl: 4 sets/10 reps
Course 4 (6 weeks): 3 X week
1. Bent Arm Pullover: 3 sets/12 reps
2. Bench Press: 6 sets/6 reps
3. Incline Dumbell Press: 5 sets/10 reps
4. Seated Barbell Press Behind Neck: 5 sets/6 reps
5. Upright Rowing: 4 sets/8 reps
6. Lying Triceps Curl: 5 sets/10 reps
7. Barbell Curl: 5 sets/8 reps
For back, shoulders and chest Clancy did upright rowing--10 with 110, then 10 with 130, then 10 with 150...
Thanks so much for this MIM!
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There are some very interesting posts in this thread. Thank you to those who have spent some time writing them. :)
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The days of Clancy in So Cal........
Max, I was in the Dungeon numerous times (either the late 50's or early 60's). On my first visit, Dave Draper was doing lat pulls. The place was dark as hell while I was there. I don't know who ran or owned it, but I don't believe it was Tanney. Could be wrong though.
And I don't recall Bill having any gym other than his Pasadena location which his bro "Harry" took over once Bill moved up north to Oregon.
There was another hard core gym back then that was located in one of the Santa Monica beach front hotels. It had a side entrance off the parking lot and was pretty decent inside. I was only in there once and have no idea what its name was or who ran it but it could possibly have been Joe Gold's first location. But not sure about that either, so I'm asking for help if anyone on this Board has the facts.
There was also a 'boxing club' in the Santa Monica area where some of the local BB's would train. Never visited that one but they must have had a decent lineup of equipment. I think it was on 3rd or 4th avenue.
Immediately after the Santa Monica Muscle Beach closed down, someone used to promote pretty decent bodybuilding contests in an outdoor theater type complex in the Venice Beach area. Various contests would be held on Saturday afternoons because the stage was used for various plays during the evenings. SO all the BB competitors had to line up between any stage props that were set up for the evening's performance.
Those were the days when you could ride a trolly from the Santa Monica Pier all the way to Venice Pier for a dime. It would go slowly along the beachfront walk and stop to pick up and drop off any passengers along the way. Hardly any crowds back then at all so the trolly had no traffic problems. Actually I don't recall the beach between Santa Monica and Venice ever getting crowded until the "hippies" kind of took over in the mid-60's when nude sun bathing was pretty popular on the beach in the Old Gold's Gym area.
Anyone one here recall POP?! That was Pacific Ocean Park.... Santa Monica/Venice's attempt to compete with Disneyland in the 50's.
Back in those days there were only about 6 or 7 competitors who consistently showed up at each and every contest - whether it was held on the beach or at the Embassy Hotel Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles. Those Embassy events were downright spectacular in there own rights. Gym members would show up to support their friends and get damn obnoxious. Some contestants even departed the stage upon getting hit with a rotten tomato and I've even seen one contest in which one contestant was physically dragged from the posing platform for overstaying his welcome.
Those were the great old days... the days of Gene Mozee, George Frenn, Bill "Peanuts" West, Don Howorth, a young guy by the name of Pearl, Mac Bachelor, and a bunch of weight lifting skin-heads who always made their presence known - and many others whom I don't recall at present ... ANY HELP HERE??
All the top guys we know today were merely a twinkle in their fathers' eye ... You gotta be Irish to understand that.
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Thanks stuntmovie great contributions. Regarding Bill Pearls Manchester Blvd. Gym in Inglewood... I knew a few guys who were before my time that trained there. The building was actually still there at least 3 years ago and still had his name on the front although sold years ago. It was before he owned the Pasadena location.
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Where did Clancy stand on steroid use in bodybuilding?
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Where did Clancy stand on steroid use in bodybuilding?
Steroids weren't available when Ross flexed, posed and preened, but he isn't contemptuous of bodybuilders who were on the "juice."
"Anything they can do to increase their body performance or proportions is fine with me," he said. "Steroids hasn't killed off any of the top bodybuilders.
I don't look at it as anything terrible."
Ross noted that steroids were offered to him after he stopped competing, but he refused to use them.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_9000429?source=most_viewed
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I was reading about Chuck Ahrens while I was looking for John Davis' weight lifting records...Peary Radar said in Ironman Lifting News magazine: "Chuck Ahrens is still in heavy training and heavy as ever. He is no longer with Les Stockton (Les now has his gym operating on a key basis--members having keys). Chuck is training at the "Cave", Tanny's 4th and Broadway gym in Santa Monica. So the roof may come in any day when he drops those monster dumbbells" (Dec. 1957 p.2). Joe Roark wrote Tanny's "The Cave" too somewhere...but MaxRep, you are right...bodybuilders (Steve, George Eiferman, Dave Draper, you, etc.) called it "The Dungeon." I just thought that one was the advertised name and one was the nickname given by some of the bodybuilders.
Vic and Armand Tanny (Armand, the 1941 Pacific Coast weight lifting champion/1950 Mr. U.S.A.) ran it. Vic opened his first gym in Rochester, NY in 1945 at age 25. It eventually spread across the country into 84 centers bringing in $15 million/year. Vic helped Steve find an apartment when he first arrived in Santa Monica--above his mother shop. Vic's mom was a seamstress with a shop at 160 Hill Street with a small apartment upstairs. When George Eiferman first came to town, he slept at Tanny's gym on the trampoline for a few days. Then he slept on the couch at Steve's for a little while before they moved in with Joy Crettaz, a 70 year old woman with a boarding house with the address "Muscle Beach By the Sea", Santa Monica, CA (it was one block from the ocean designed by famed California architect Richard Neutra). She charged $1.00 a night to bodybuilders and other health conscious people who didn't smoke and that was great for these guys who were getting the veteran 52-20 ($20.00/week).
(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/3gym.JPG)
When others learned that Steve and George lived there, some guys paid to sleep on the floor just so they could live in the same house with them. lol. Steve said the water was crystal clear and blue. He got up in the morning, took a swim in the ocean and had breakfast on the beach. He spent a dollar for rent and dollar for food each day. On Thursdays afternoons, 8-10 of the guys went to The Round-Up near Marina del Ray and ate the buffet for $1.50. It had prime rib, baked ham, mashed potatoes and dozens of fruits and vegetables. Malcom Brenner ate as much as everyone put together and almost put them out of business. Steve said, "Those were the days...they'll never be again...utter total freedom...not a worry to think about."
Bill Pearl had a gym at 1914 P Street, Sacramento, CA too.
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Thanks again, Max, Johnny and Montana. I'll learning lots of new stuff here: and I gotta say that I've met just about each individual we've mentioned so far - with the exception of Chuck Arhens.
I used to have rather long conversations with Mabel and Perry when they were the rightful owners of IronMan. They were great "farm type" folks - real laid back and genuine.
And I used to talk a great deal with Armand Tanny when he was spending lots of time on Waikiki Beach behind the Outrigger Hotel with all the local wrestlers. Met Vic Sr. when he was involved in the Vic Tanny Health Studios in downtown San Francisco on Market Street almost directly across from the cable car turnaround on Powell. As far as I can recall that was the first "gym" that had all chrome gym equipment. and catered to the general public. Never did meet VIc Jr though as far as I can recall, but I think he did enter one of the So Cal contests later on.
I met Steve many many times over the years and knew George Eifferman up until the time he passed away. In fact I received an honorarium from George a few years before he died for previous work in the world of BB.
Also, he's not mentioned above but I did meet Reg Park in the mid 50's and many years later - his son Jon Jon.
I never did meet Joy but I spent many an hour trying to find Muscle Beach by the Sea (Muscle house) in the 60's without any success. Do you have the address, Montana, for a photo session on my next visit to So Cal?
A couple of fellow Marines got out of the Corps back then specifically to enter the world of bodybuilding and looked up Joy, who at that time had a nutrition business in the San Diego area. She helped them with her knowledge for a couple of years and both of them excelled in the game.
And Pearl is still a friend among the living whom I still respect as one of the greatest in the world of BB.
If you ever trained at Bill's in Pasadena, I'm sure your remember Wayne Bouvier, Rob Johnson, Solo ___?___, Bill's brother (Harold), Bill's wife (Judy), and a few others who contributed to this sport during its infancy way back then.
Montana, I recognize Steve and George in that picture but who is the guy holding on to the bike in the back? Looks familiar.
Thanks again, ya'll
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(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/3gym.JPG)
about."
Bill Pearl had a gym at 1914 P Street, Sacramento, CA too.
Great stuff Made In Montana. Can you tell me who owns the website this pic is from-"IronGameLegands"????
I think Bill Pearl's Sacramento Gym was the first gym he opened-but cannot recall for sure-one thing I do know is that it is very hot in Sacramento.
Rory Leidelmeyer's Dad was a member of Bill pearl's Sacramento Gym, and that was the first gym Rory ever joined, which would have been the mid 70's. Rory was interviewed by BB.com, or MD or one of those places, and he talked about the gym, and how everyone were great friends and were a part of something special. Good stuff, I will try to find it and post that link.
Clancy, and the others, will all be remembered for years to come.
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When others learned that Steve and George lived there, some guys paid to sleep on the floor just so they could live in the same house with them. lol. Steve said the water was crystal clear and blue. He got up in the morning, took a swim in the ocean and had breakfast on the beach. He spent a dollar for rent and dollar for food each day. On Thursdays afternoons, 8-10 of the guys went to The Round-Up near Marina del Ray and ate the buffet for $1.50. It had prime rib, baked ham, mashed potatoes and dozens of fruits and vegetables. Malcom Brenner ate as much as everyone put together and almost put them out of business. Steve said, "Those were the days...they'll never be again...utter total freedom...not a worry to think about."
Bill Pearl had a gym at 1914 P Street, Sacramento, CA too.
I love reading these kind of things. You manage to really capture an age.
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Yes, Johnny, Bill did open his first gym in Sacramento as TruGrit mentioned after getting out of the Navy in 1954. I understand that he invested in US War Bonds during his time in active duty and used that money ($2,800) to open that first gym venture. His business grew to roughly 9 successful gyms throughout northern California which he eventually consolidated to the exceptionally fine gym in Sacramento until 1962.
He then moved to Los Angeles ,and purchased the famous George Redpath Gym which I assume was on Manchester Blvd in Hollywood as Max previously mentioned. Thanks, Max. (Good Redpath info here -------> http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/IGH/IGH0301/IGH0301d.pdf )
I don't recall the year but Bill sold his Manchester gym and purchased a building in Pasadena and established his new gym with a nice home directly on the back property.
I do recall that Pasadena was just about the eastern limit of the Los Angeles basin back then. Drive a few blocks east and you were in the desert. But I seem to recall driving out that-a-way to get a haircut in a gym from a new kid who was getting impressive by the name of Rory Leidelmeyer. Anyone recall that town and the name of the gym where Rory trained when he was roughly 18 - 19 years old?
Bill's gym in Pasadena was set up so that the general public could train in the front section and the more serious lifters had the heavier equipment in the back. And there were separate days/hours for the ladies. Back then it was common for the ladies to train on their own private hours/days. I think that changed when Lisa Lyon began training with the guys at Gold's in Santa Monica and all the others followed suit.
Does anyone recall who Lisa's training partner was back in those days? Might have been Bill Grant but I'm not sure about that. Good Trivia question!
Any help on these long time memories is really appreciated. And feel free to correct any mistakes I may be maken!
Here's another trivia question! What was the yearly membership for Gold's Gym when Joe Gold owned it in Venice around 1963 - 1965? You ain't gonna believe me when I tell ya!
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RIP Clancy.
Great thread guys......thank you.
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And thanks to you too, Wes. We kind of got off the Clancy track but he knew most of these guys (if not all of them) and would probably enjoy joining in on this conversation.
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Yes, Johnny, Bill did open his first gym in Sacramento as TruGrit mentioned after getting out of the Navy in 1954. I understand that he invested in US War Bonds during his time in active duty and used that money ($2,800) to open that first gym venture. His business grew to roughly 9 successful gyms throughout northern California which he eventually consolidated to the exceptionally fine gym in Sacramento until 1962.
He then moved to Los Angeles ,and purchased the famous George Redpath Gym which I assume was on Manchester Blvd in Hollywood as Max previously mentioned. Thanks, Max. (Good Redpath info here -------> http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/IGH/IGH0301/IGH0301d.pdf )
I don't recall the year but Bill sold his Manchester gym and purchased a building in Pasadena and established his new gym with a nice home directly on the back property.
I do recall that Pasadena was just about the eastern limit of the Los Angeles basin back then. Drive a few blocks east and you were in the desert. But I seem to recall driving out that-a-way to get a haircut in a gym from a new kid who was getting impressive by the name of Rory Leidelmeyer. Anyone recall that town and the name of the gym where Rory trained when he was roughly 18 - 19 years old?
Bill's gym in Pasadena was set up so that the general public could train in the front section and the more serious lifters had the heavier equipment in the back. And there were separate days/hours for the ladies. Back then it was common for the ladies to train on their own private hours/days. I think that changed when Lisa Lyon began training with the guys at Gold's in Santa Monica and all the others followed suit.
Does anyone recall who Lisa's training partner was back in those days? Might have been Bill Grant but I'm not sure about that. Good Trivia question!
Any help on these long time memories is really appreciated. And feel free to correct any mistakes I may be maken!
Here's another trivia question! What was the yearly membership for Gold's Gym when Joe Gold owned it in Venice around 1963 - 1965? You ain't gonna believe me when I tell ya!
Wasn't it $25 or $30?
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Wasn't it $25 or $30?
In 1981 a membership at World Gym Santa Monica was $150. So I am going to say $50 for Gold's 1965.
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One last thing about Clancy, something that you would not know about unless you knew him and spoke with him in person.
He had incredible hair. And he kept it coiffed meticulously. I mean he must have spent hours on it every morning to get it pumped up and slicked back and then hair spray city- because that hair did not move. Think football coach Jimmy Johnson...lol.
One thing I do recall thinking back to 1979 when I first met him, he had a problem with one of his hips-and it mentioned in the article he had both hips replaced-one was replaced twice.
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Moose, damn close but to the best of my recollection it was $24 a year! How did you come up with that figure? You IS smart!
I first went in there (Gold's) with Gunny Sgt Sam Griffin .... in my eyes - a genuine Marine Corps hero and memorable lifter and character. He took me in to meet Joe Gold who was in the back welding some equipment together. A lot of those members were athletes from UCLA and USC. I weighed in at roughly 185 back then and watched some mammoths squatting in the corner with 495+ on the bar and they were going up from there. I was in decent shape and got invited to join in but I would have fallen through my ass, so I politely declined.
If they had invited me to join in while benching, it would have been a different story though.
I forget the shot-putter who was famous back then but he'd load up the olympic bar with 185+ and push that weight as if was throwing a shot-put with both hands and do reps.
Nope, it was way too far back to be Wayne Bouvier. It would take a few more years before he made his mark as a shot putter and he was a Bill Pearl member anyway once Bill got established in Pasadena.
Wayne was the big guy I mention a year or so ago, who rode around on a very little motor scooter. When he hopped on that scooter, it became invisible beneath his bulky body and it looked like he was the fastest guy who could move forward while in a seated position without moving his legs.
Ahhh .... you'd have to have seen that to understand. Sorry! Getting carried away again.
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Johnny, to be honest with ya, I forget about Clancy's hair but I do believe that the day I visited him when he had his leg in a cast was the start of his hip problem. He kind of laughed when he told me that he fell off a stool, but a couple of months later one of his close friends told me. "That's not far from the truth, but did he tell you where that stool was located?" I didn't ask, so he didn't tell.
I have a good friend who lived in the Fremont area and trained with Eddie Corney before Eddie became a Pro and knew most of these old time greats better than I did and can get some unreal stories on these old time NoCal bodybuilders and the start-up of the supplement industry up that-a-way.
SOme of these old time stories, I can't repeat until some more time passes. Nothing real bad about anyone in particular but could prove embarrassing to most.
Anyone remember MLO?
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Thanks again. S OH YEA! There is a Gold's Gym facing Lake Merritt in Oakland. I read a brief mention of that location earlier. Can that person provide additional details about that spot? Off with the kids to see that racing movie and about $60 worth of popcorn, Used to cost a dime a bag but no more!
That was the original Olympia Gym that opened around 80 or 81 and Don Ross, after he was fired from Clancy's Mr. America Club, was the original manager of that gym when it opened-he was fired pretty fast-then went to a gym in Napa, don't recall the name.
Like I said earlier-the Olympia Gym was very large and had incredible equipment, problem is they had a bunch of idiots running the place-the IRS shut the gym down within 18 months for non payment of taxes-the equipment was sold for 10-20 cents on the dollar, and the Gold's eventually opened up there.
Lake Merritt is a pretty nice area, and it is a good location for a gym.
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I think that Don flew off to Hawaii shortly after leaving Olympia Gym or maybe he was there before he got that job. He told me that he got his airline ticket from the state of California and if they were dumb enough to give it to him, he'd be smart enough to take it.
I don't know when you saw Lake Merritt last but there are a lot of new buildings all around it.
Proud to say that my brother in law's father built the retaining wall around that lake.
Here's a recent picture that was taken of a new church under construction about three blocks or less from Gold's Gym which used to be Olympia. I walked past Gold's that day but for some reason, failed to take a picture of it.
Do you have any idea were Yarick's was relative to this Gold's location?
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This thread rules. So many fantastic memories of a better time have been shared. I am certain Mr. Ross would approve.
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Yes, Clancy is more than likely reading this stuff up there someplace and enjoying it a bit. He enjoyed talking about the old times even back then in the old times when I first met him. And he knew this Oakland area well.
Here's another Merritt Lake photo that I meant to post earlier. It's getting to be a very "high rent" area, so if that Gold's Gym location is on a lease, it could possibly not have too many years left to remain in operation.
Great location for a gym though but the luxury highrise construction is moving in an eastward direction and will soon be infringing on that great gym property.
Here's a Lake Merritt photo looking east towards the Oakland Hills which can't be seen in this shot. Gold's is located off the lake a bit beyond that highrise towards the right side of this photo. Prime property to say the least.
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I drive by Lake Merritt daily, since I'm there numerous times per day on the way to/from work.
That's a pretty good Golds near the Lake, within walking distance of the water.
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I drive by Lake Merritt daily, since I'm there numerous times per day on the way to/from work.
That's a pretty good Golds near the Lake, within walking distance of the water.
It fronts the water........walk across the street and you're there. :o
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It fronts the water........walk across the street and you're there. :o
This I know. :)
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Great stuff Made In Montana. Can you tell me who owns the website this pic is from-"IronGameLegands"????
Clancy, and the others, will all be remembered for years to come.
It's mine...just to host pictures...to help make sure these guys will be remembered.
Thank you, Johnny, Stunt...and everyone who looks to the beginning again. Everything about these guys is classic, timeless and appeals worldwide to all people as much today as back then. Bodybuilding has come a long way in some aspects, but these guys lacked nothing in terms of ideal strength, health and aesthetically pleasing good looks. Bodybuilding can develop the spirit as much as the physique. That was the reason these guys started doing it...and it's the reason why they will be remembered. The kind of men they were is why I post their pictures.
(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/3guys.jpg)
Clancy, George and Steve
(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/4mrabar.jpg)
4 Mr. America's: Alan Stephan, Clancy, George Eiferman, Steve Reeves
(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/ed.JPG)
Steve in front of Ed's
(http://mywebpage.netscape.com/IronGameLegendsF/clancysteve.jpg)
Clancy giving Steve trophy for Mr. Pacific Coast title 1947
Maybe a moderator could move this thread to the history board at some point so it doesn't get lost here.
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Montana-great pics, I have never seen these.
How can I access all of your pics??????
Thanks-Clancy, and Steve, and the others are not forgotten, not by a long shot.
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Montana, the photo of Steve taken outside of Yarick's with the gym bag in his right hand kind of looks like Lou Digni. Looks too short to be Steve. Can you confirm? Thanks again, Montana.
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Montana, the photo of Steve taken outside of Yarick's with the gym bag in his right hand kind of looks like Lou Digni. Looks too short to be Steve. Can you confirm? Thanks again, Montana.
Looks like Steve to me.
If you notice Steve's gym bag, that is what they used to look like, and I had one exactly like that in 1979. ;D
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Moose, damn close but to the best of my recollection it was $24 a year! How did you come up with that figure? You IS smart!
I first went in there (Gold's) with Gunny Sgt Sam Griffin .... in my eyes - a genuine Marine Corps hero and memorable lifter and character. He took me in to meet Joe Gold who was in the back welding some equipment together. A lot of those members were athletes from UCLA and USC. I weighed in at roughly 185 back then and watched some mammoths squatting in the corner with 495+ on the bar and they were going up from there. I was in decent shape and got invited to join in but I would have fallen through my ass, so I politely declined.
If they had invited me to join in while benching, it would have been a different story though.
I forget the shot-putter who was famous back then but he'd load up the olympic bar with 185+ and push that weight as if was throwing a shot-put with both hands and do reps.
Nope, it was way too far back to be Wayne Bouvier. It would take a few more years before he made his mark as a shot putter and he was a Bill Pearl member anyway once Bill got established in Pasadena.
Wayne was the big guy I mention a year or so ago, who rode around on a very little motor scooter. When he hopped on that scooter, it became invisible beneath his bulky body and it looked like he was the fastest guy who could move forward while in a seated position without moving his legs.
Ahhh .... you'd have to have seen that to understand. Sorry! Getting carried away again.
Stunt, I recall when Mike Katz first opened his World's in CT in 1979, he charged 99$ per year, and some kid complained, and Mike referenced that Gold's 15 years earlier was "only $25", so an increase of not even 75 bucks over 15 year span should not be whined about :)
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What strikes me in those old shots aside from the more natural and healthy looking physiques is the relative innocence and optimism. Not much of the cynicism that has spread in to the culture and BB over the decades. Clearly a different time.
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RIP Clancy.
Thanks to those of you who posted some great nostalgic stuff. For those interested in the "Dungeon", Dave has lots of stuff written about it in his free weekly articles over at davedraper.com. I'm only 18 but long for this era. Dave is a good friend of mine and one of the greats of the time period. Again, thanks for sharing these stories.
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Montana, Thanks for those new photos. I've never seen any of them before.
I've been traveling to and from Lake Tahoe so I've not been on this site for a good while. Good to be back and see that people are still interested.
Bodybuilding was completely different back then. Very unknown and very few involved in any capacity. No one was making money off the sport except for the magazines and a few of the guys who went into the movies either in front of or behind the camera.
PUMPSTER, I couldn't have said it any better and agree with you completely .... "the relative innocence and optimism" that prevailed back then. It was such a small activity that everyone involved knew everyone else.
Those definitely were the good old days.
Johny V, you're more than likely right about that being Steve in the "gymbag picture" but it sure is a striking resemblance to Lou Degni when he was still a young kid.
Montana, do you know Steve's age in each of those photos? I think I first met Steve in or about 1947, the year he won the Pacific Coast. I was in the area back then as a young kid and I recall going down to the train station (or that "train" that ran from Oakland to San Francisco over the Oakland Bay Bridge and from there - to points further south) to help send Steve off to one of the California contests - and the Pacific Coast might just be the one. DO you know when and where it was held and some further details about that event? Wasn't it George Eifferman who went on that train trip with him?
Thanks, Montana.
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Stunt...20 yrs. old with the gym bag and 21 with the trophy with Clancy. Thank you for sharing...and everyone commenting with good stuff.
Sam Loprinzi sponsored the 1946 Mr. Pacific Coast contest in Portland, Oregon. Steve and his work out partner at the time, Bob Weidlich, entered the Dec. 21st show. They left on Fri., Dec. 20 on the Pacific South Railway car for Portland. Steve and Bob both carried a gym bag with a change of clothes and their posing trunks, and sandwiches and fruit for the trip that Gr Goldie packed for them.
They did not tell Ed Yarick that they entered the contest because that way if either of them did well, then they would surprise him with the good news. Ed was like an older brother/father figure/role model for Steve because Steve's father Lester died when he was two from a pitchfork that went into his stomach. Steve's stepfather went to the bar, drank and smoked, played cards and told jokes...but that was it. He thought bodybuilding was a waste of time and told Steve to dig holes in the backyard instead of lift weights. In other words, Ed had more influence on Steve because of similiar interests.
Steve and Bob were both a little excited and nervous not sure how they would do. They waited a week before the contest to enter. The Mr. Pacific Coast show in Portland was sold out. Merlsi and Bradly started out with a handbalancing act. The judges were Dud Nelson, George Pavlich, Joe Loprinzi, Al Kost and Dr. C. Wheeler. There were 3 classes and the winner was determined by a point system: 5 pts. for muscularity, 7 pts. for proportion, 2 points for posing, a point for general overall appearance=15 pts. total on each of the scorecards. So in other words...75 pts. was a perfect score.
Three poses were allowed and they had to do their routine in 90 sec. When it was Steve's turn, he stepped up on the platform and did a front double biceps, a rear double biceps and front lat spread. The crowd went wild cheering and he scored 72 pts. Steve won Mr. Pacific Coast the first time at age 20. Strength and Health took his picture and put as a caption "The Herculean Steve Reeves" (11 years before he was offered to play the role for Hercules on film). When he came back he cave his trophy to Ed and said "Merry Christmas, Ed!"
The 1947 Mr. Pacific Coast contest that was sponsored by the S. California Weightlifting Assoc. was on May 24th at the Embassey auditorium in L.A. Steve entered this one too up against home town favorite Eric Pedersen and Bill Cantrell. Walt Marcyan wrote in Your Physique "Steve out-glowed, out-shone, and out muscled them all! I personally proclaim him to be the finest specimen of American Manhood I have ever seen...He hasn't a single weak spot in his make up." He won 4 trophies that night for Best arms, Best chest, Best Legs and Champion of show--the most ever won by a competitor at a single show.
(http://www.schwarzenegger.it/mro/reeves/sr25.jpg)
Steve and Eric Pedersen