WORLD GYM REUNION

October, 2000

Henrik reminds me that I haven't written a report of our reunion trip. The main reason I think is because there was nothing substantial to write. The event itself and the gathering of the people of weight training history was notable, but nothing really *happened* to tell about so it would become just a list of names, really. It was quite a list of names, no doubt about that.

My favorite moment was watching Steve Merjanian arrive. Older IOLers know who he is and will be pleased to know that he looks very much the same as whatever older picture you remember. He's a TANK, just a little older looking. Of course I knew who he was instantly, so I watched as people turned to notice him. He's a total gem with a huge smile and grinning eyes; ear-to-ear grins follow him through the crowd, any crowd I expect but especially this one.

I got to watch him as he bumped into Dave, whom he had not seen for many years. Dave didn't see him at first and Steve just stood there grinning at him, waiting for him to turn around. I and others encircling them stood also, waiting for Dave to turn around, and when he did, they were hugging and laughing, and as I'm closer to Steve's level and could see, I watched Steve's eyes filled with tears. It was a fantastic moment and one I'll never forget. I'm grinning here at my keyboard as I remember and type.

I'm sure more things will come to me in the future as we talking about history, but until they do, here's the list of names that I remember and that Henrik asked for, although there were more: Bob Delmontique, Steve Downs, Lou Ferrigno, Mike Glass, Joe Gold, Roy Goldman, Eddie Guilliani, John Gourgott, Mickey Hargitay, Brad Harris, Don Howorth, Roland Kickinger, Seymour Koenig, Zabo Koszewski, Rory Liedermeyer, Pete Lupus, Chuck Mahoney, Steve Merjanian, Gene Mozee, Tony Novak, Bob Paris, JonJon Park, Tom Platz, Robby Robinson, Larry Scott, Bill Smith, Steve Strong, Armand Tanny, Vince Taylor, Mike Uretz, Harold Zinkin.

And to answer the subsequent questions:

1. What exactly was the reason for the reunion?
2. Where did it take place?
3. Will this be a reoccurring thing?
4. Doesn't JonJon Park have a gym in LA?

They started it as a tribute to the Australian videographer Wayne Gallasch who was filming the Olympia and hasn't been to the US in many years. That developed into a bigger reunion just for the fun of it as often these guys only get together at memorials and wanted a better reason I guess. It was held mostly outside in a closed off section of the World Gym Marina Del Rey parking lot. One time deal, as far as I know.

JonJon has a personal training gym in Hollywood I think.

<Wow, what a list of names! I didn't know that Mickey Hargitay was still living....and Bob Paris, just read his book, "Gorilla Suit", quite an interesting story. But no Arnold?>

Yep, Mickey was there, 75, I think someone said. Looked great, happy and friendly. Bob, too (not 75, but happy and friendly)... seems to be training well, not for contests but healthy and thick. Better than when we last saw him a year or so ago. I'm not sure if he was training then, although I don't have that good of an eye for that, and he was wearing a suit. This time, in casual clothes, he looked very good.

Arnold was in a Mexican jungle filming a new movie. Should be back shortly, though, because his new film is scheduled to open in a week or two. Forgot the name already — think it was something like "6th Day" or at least that's close.

<Other than Dave, who in the group is still imposing? also, is Ferrigno still a giant?>

Yes, Louie's still a giant. Rory Leidermeyer's training hard, and Bob Paris as I mentioned above is still training well. I wouldn't say imposing, but I personally prefer this look to the imposing, clothes-splitting look anyway. Steve Strong is really big, Vince Taylor, Robbie Robinson - Steve Merjanian as I mentioned before — all still very thick. Tom Platz, of course.

I'd be willing to bet the rest are all, or mostly all, still training but have taken a looser attitude, partly due to the aches and pains of long term training and partly due to the time and nutritional dedication required to stay at a higher level.

I forgot to tell you about Amazon Woman, didn't I? Oh well, sorry. I didn't meet her and don't know her name. I just know that when you see pictures of this event in the muscle mags, she'll be in almost every shot. :) Laree

And here's Wayne Gallasch's report:

"The Legends Reunion at World Gym"

Later last year Bill Comstock in conjunction with Joe Gold, World Gym and Ironman Magazine held a reunion of bodybuilding greats to honour my 35 years in bodybuilding film making and photography.

It all began back in 1965 when I took my first bodybuilding photos to submit with my articles to "Ironman" and English "Health and Strength" magazines. Then in 1970 I shot my first bodybuilding movie and the model was the then current Mr. Australia Frank Colombera.

In 1983 I commenced shooting on video, covering major contests and other events around the world, such as the FIBO Expo in Germany, to the Olympia and Arnold Expos, and the very popular 'behind the scenes and pump room" videos. Approximately 10,000 bodybuilders have passed through the lenses of my cameras in the period to date!

This reunion was a rare opportunity to gather with my friends and associates, some of whom I had not seen for almost 30 years. However, I was really disappointed that my old partner Harold Mason of Film Associates was not able to attend. He helped me produce most of the films from 1970 to 1982. We all owe him a big thank you for fostering my film making in this period which led to my video productions of the last 20 years.

Held at the new World Gym Corporate headquarters in Marina del Rey, it was a time for reminiscences and photo taking. We were lucky with a magnificent southern Californian day of blue skies and sunshine. In fact I would rate the occasion as probably the best day of my life (apart from my wedding day of course!!). My good friends Clive Jaques and James Cook recorded the day for me in photos and on video. Some of the photos will be in our Male Gallery as from this weekend, and the 90 minute video will be edited and available shortly.

The furthest traveled for the event were ERNIE SANTIAGO from Hawaii, photographer CLIVE JAQUES from England, and LIZZY TAYLOR from Germany. I truly appreciated the attendance of everyone at this very happy event - only marred by the fact that my wife and best friend Tina couldn't be there to share the fun.

I was able to chat on video to some of the stars, such as DAVE DRAPER, TOM PLATZ, ERNIE SANTIAGO, CLINT BEYERLE, EDDIE GIULIANI, GORDON MITCHELL, ROBBY ROBINSON - just to name a few. Earlier in the day I had been a guest in the home of MICKEY & ELLEN HARGITAY, and they were also present.

The MC for the function was famous bodybuilding photographer and writer GENE MOZÉE and he did a great job with introductions of famous faces and keeping things moving.

There were a number of personal highlights for me which included my first ever meeting with the 1st Mr. Olympia (1965) LARRY SCOTT, and his friend DON HOWORTH. Larry still has an 18" arm which he flexed for us. Also chatting with the famous TV and movie pinup girl GLORIA PALL - a super personality full of wonderful stories. I had nice tributes about my film work from LOU FERRIGNO and TOM PLATZ. Plus the attendance and sponsorship by TOM LINCIR of the IVANKO BARBELL COMPANY of San Pedro. My friendship with Tom goes back to 1969.

There was a gathering together of former Hercules actors - GORDON MITCHELL, MICKEY HARGITAY, BRAD HARRIS, ED FURY, LOU FERRIGNO and PETER LUPUS. This was certainly a first and between them they have made hundreds of movies (not all Hercules of course). Two of the local Los Angeles TV stations sent cameramen as it was also the first reunion of bodybuilder/actors in the Italian sword and sandal type of movies, and the first reunion of some of the musclemen in Mae West's legendary nightclub act.

ROBBY ROBINSON presented me with a wooden statue he had specially carved for the occasion and DAVE DRAPER presented me with a copy of his new book "BROTHER IRON SISTER STEEL".

Apologies were received from John Balik, Mike Mentzer, Bill Grant and Don Peters. Mike & Don were both in poor health, with Mike passing away on June 10th this year, and Don Peters on March 16th, 2001. Don was 64 years old and died from cancer. Don Peters was a former Mr. America and I shot photos (on the Venice Beach) and a movie of him in July 1978. He was a real fun loving character and loved to tell stories about the other bodybuilders. I wish I had written these stories down. You can see his photos in the Men's Gallery.

Finally the group photos were taken and it was impossible to fit everyone in the frame! My thanks to both Clive and Jerry Fredrick for the photos used in our Reunion Gallery.

A list of the attendees follows (in no particular order). Once a again my sincere thanks to all those who attended and made this such a memorable day for me, and my appreciation to event coordinator Bill Comstock for the huge amount of time and effort he put in to tracking down and inviting many of the guys I had filmed and photographed in USA over the last 30 years.

Paula Boelsems, Glenn Sundby, Rory Leidelmeyer, Joe Valdez, Gordon Wong, Don Howorth, Bill Cunningham, Don & Mrs. Arnold, Ed & Sheri Fury, Pat O'Brien, Steve Downs, Bob Paris, Charlie Fautz, Harold & Mrs. Zinkin, Bob Delmonteque, Dave and Laree Draper, Larry & Mrs. Scott, Mike Glass, Chuck Mahoney, Armand Tanny, Mandy Tanny, Zabo Koszewski, Ed Giuliani, Peter Lupus, Lou Ferrigno, Tom and Cha Platz, Victor Konovalov, Bill Smith, Gloria Pall, Mickey & Ellen Hargitay, Roy Goldman, Bill Pettis, Robby Robinson, Mohammed Moussawi, Mike Uretz, John Isaacs, Jon Jon Park, Leroy Colbert, Joe Gold, Gordon Mitchell, Bill Comstock, Kip Behar, Bill Howard, Lynn Conkwright, Vince Taylor, Brad Harris, Lizzy Taylor & Peter Hellmann, Gene Mozée, George Helmer, Tom Lincir, Jerry Fredric,k Kevin Thoma,s Ernie & Mrs. Santiago, Jerome Fergusson, Martina Sharp, Dr. John Gourgott, Albert & Mrs. Beckles, Bill Dobbins, Steve Marjanian, Clint & Cathy Beyerle, Seymour Koenig, Markus Reinhardt, Clive Jaques, James Cook, Nercy Navab, Nima Kiani, Heather Tristany, Daniel L. Nelson, Eddie Espinoza, Negrita Jayde, Steve Cepello (Steve Strong), Kevin Thomas

Wayne Gallasch

Click here to see Wayne's photos of the event

 

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