f you'd like to help support my efforts to "pump-out" more content, please consider buying me a coffee www.buymeacoffee.com/carvedstone Booking a training consultation: carvedoutofstone@gmail.com Or signing up for my online coaching: carvedoutofstone@gmail.com Thanks for your support!
How so? Bodybuilding has taken a turn for the worse and awards the largest most freakish physiques instead of the ones that look the best. If anything, he was behind his time.
@@spec24 True, at the time it was the rise of the mass monsters. He had the classic physique look that is now, many years later, accepted as part of the Mr. Olympia competition.
@@carvedouttastone I remember reading an article on the 91 Olympia where Paris , Labrada and I can't remember but there was another guy doing comparisons and the writer said that they both smoked Labrada. In fact there is footage where Labrada gets so frustrated he kinda walks off prematurely because he knew the other 2 guys were pushing him. At the end of the day compare Berry Demey who placed 3rd in one of of the Olympias to Bob's Physique and you will see that they are both similar in size and shape yet Berry places 3rd and Bob places 10th or ninth. Bob had flawless proportion and symmetry and was an incredible poser. 1988 was his best showing and I believe he was better than Gaspari , Labrada , Strydom, Mike Quinn due to his better structure. He should have placed second or third in my opinion. Body-building should be about overall shape and symmetry and not if some guy is a little bigger or has a few better better body parts. It's, Ike Dorian and Ronnie winning cos they had more muscle but they lacked the shape in some contests they won.
@@stefanosprokopis6974 I think Bob had some glaring flaws and his condition in the latter Olympias wasn't as sharp - his posing routines like the one I featured in my commentary regarding this era,.grew more erratic. I want to interview John Hansen and it will be interesting to get his take. Always hard to tell sometimes when you're not at the show and going off pics and videos - the discerning eye needed to judge bodybuilding competitions has never been my strong suit, admittedly
@@carvedouttastone Re: pithy dislike, I don't think @scorchy666 was trying to pick a fight: "The whole thing seems analogous to one of the contemporary social media fitness divas who after achieving mediocre placings in the competitive ranks suddenly blows out post contest, gaining enormous amounts of weight, only to suddenly switch gears, engaging in a bitter crusade as a reformed advocate for 'body positivity' and 'healthy at any size.'" I had to listen to this twice to pick up on the fact that you were not saying that Bob himself did those things. The tone of the analogy was jarringly derisive, and it's easy to confuse the metaphorical elements of that particular diatribe with Bob's literal story - right down to the misapprehension that, amid discussing gayness, you were calling him a bitter, bloated fitness diva. I perceived it the way Scorchy did until I played it a second time. Anyway, I really enjoyed the video. I was a gay teen when Bob was competing, so I was very drawn to him because of his looks well before he came out. And boy, it meant a lot to me when he did come out even though he was a complicated role model. He might have felt ostracized within bodybuilding circles, but as a handsome white man with a physique by Rodin, he was the pinnacle of the urban gay stereotype that boys like me fervently aspired to but couldn't necessarily attain. And no question he stood to gain from the college lecture circuit and the fame within gay media, though I have no doubt that at that time, it wasn't worth the emotional cost and was a step down from the peer group of Lou and Arnold. But it's just interesting that you can be a pariah to one group and a deity to another. Side note, I pine for the days when bodybuilding was a presence on cable television. Really baffling how ESPN2 used to air shows like Bodyshaping DAILY; and now with all the channels under the ESPN umbrella, they have exponentially more broadcast hours but don't even acknowledge bodybuilding anymore.
He’s been AN ICON(!) He literally made people dream about a body like him and represented the “Zane Evolution” of beauty, armony and balance in building a superhero phisique without exceeding in the freaknees ( ..I used to cut his photos from MD, Iron Man Magazine and Muscle Mag to put ‘em in the gym where they still stand and still attract people when they ask about him) LOVED AND LOVE HIM FOREVER💙🌟🔝
I was a heavy lifter in those days and I remember when he came out and it did destroy his career. Guys in the gym who would brag about Paris one week, the next week it was, I never liked that guy. Hypocrisy was very common in the bodybuilding side of the gym. He was a very classic bodybuilder he was great showman but like you said he lost his heart for the sport.
@@carvedouttastonethe 80s were very different. A lot is lost. The thinking was very different. There was a fear of gay people and they were heavily linked with AIDS. There were even religious undertones that AIDS had been brought as a plague to punish them. To come out then was an extraordinary act but one that definitely wrecked his career and public support. Not everything was better in the ‘good old days’.
One of my favorites. While compiling the footage I was awestruck by how amazing he looked. So unbelievably good looking facially too, it's hard to think he wasn't able to go further in movies/tv/advertising etc.
I was lucky enough to be on vacation in California, and was walking along the beach front to see him doing a photo shoot , and I had a flex magazine in my hand which had bob on the cover , so I waited for him to finish the shoot and got him to sign the magazine.
Wow that's such a cool experience. Love those serendipitous meetings. How did her look in real life? More impressive than the mags? I was always struck by how much better and bigger than the pros looked when you saw them in real life
@@carvedouttastone what? All these guys in real life are small as hell, Jay Cutler is like 5'8" 😆 ruclips.net/video/j5Y6u53lVJM/видео.html I made a video about this, in a similar style to yours.
I am straight. Bob was truly an esthetic beast. The pressure on the world in the 1980-90's to distance themselves from "AIDS anything" was huge. Obviously, there is a lot of hype in his "tell all" book (I should have wonan Olympia! Etc), but he was overlooked numerous times due to being out gunned etc Bob was in excellent condition either way, but only one is Mr. Olympia.
Thanks for the comment mate. Do you think politics played a part in Bob's latter poor placings or had bodybuilding simply evolved since Bob's better, earlier heyday?
@@rogerrousco2921 Dickerson was gay but he wasn't shouting it from the rooftops and openly marrying his partners on every syndicated national TV talk show at the time neither - he also wasn't writing books about it nor using it as a platform to promote himself as a desired celebrity. Weider had no problem with gay - as long as you kept it on the down low. The fact Paris couldn't beat Haney was well covered in the video
Great tribute to Bob Paris. Paris wasn't as big as some of his competitors like Lee Haney but he had, arguably, the most aesthetic physique of all time that was just on a whole other level compared to the GH and insulin-abusing freaks that the Dorian Yates era of the 90's brought forward. (Though you could say this about most competitors from the 80's like Francis Benfatto, Gary Strydom or Lee Labrada) He got out at the right time in my opinion. Does his book 'Gorilla Suit' discuss his steroid use in much detail? As an enhanced lifter myself, I've always been curious how much deca, primo, GH, etc. he took to resemble a greek statue
Thank you! Not a tonne of detail about the drugs. Just names some compounds and admits his general distaste for that whole side of bodybuilding. I was surprised about the GH use though as I didn't think his physique reflected the implementation of that compound - shows clearly that it was well and truly implemented around that time though and all the top guys were probably using it pre Dorian era
An another extremely enlightening video in both the historical context and in your analysis You are incisive yet fair. I always felt that Lee Labrada deserved an Olympia win, but with the background you have provided, aesthetics alone is not enough. Honestly no one is putting out this sort of qualty content.
Thank you mate. I'm glad some are discerning enough to see that I'm attempting to approach my topics from a different angle, but also with a level of balanced and fair reporting. I've been particularly attacked for this vid, being labelled "homophobic" and a levelling a "hatchet" job against Paris - even while I clearly state.both my admiration as well as Paris' contributions to the sport and human rights. Happy to have a mostly appreciative and supportive audience like yourself. Thanks again for your kind words
@@carvedouttastone .....then you will REALLY ENJOY MY COMMENT....LOL...you did an EXCELLENT JOB with this video ...THANK YOU....BOB...sold MAGAZINES....and that is the BOTTOM LINE....as you said he served STEVE REEVES REALNESS....and everyone bought into that....he was intelligent...articulate....and simultaneously charismatic and shy....and BOB and JOE had him under contract as basically a SPOKESPERSON...his placings in contests in my opinion were hardly the point...men and women admired him....and BOUGHT THOSE MAGAZINES......when he came out...a lot of people were not as HOMOPHOBIC as they were....CONFUSED....and him and his HUSBAND ROD were getting HEAT form EVERYONE....even the GAY COMMUNITY...BOB'S books were the best thing to happen to the bodybuilding community and the gay community...i has blessed to have a very....very long conversation with the openly gay fashion photographer....video and commercial director....portraitist....HERB RITTS....you have several images of his in your video...he photographed BOB and ROD for their AMAZING BOOK....DUO...he had also shot BOB for INTERVIEW MAGAZINE....the image you used with his hand over his face.....and he donated his share of royalties from the book to help people with HIV AIDS....he himself was HIV POSITIVE....and the making of the book was extremely personal for him....and also a HUGE RISK for HIM PROFESSIONALLY....but he was FEARLESS...and he did TONS of promotional work for the book........i recently read the images of the book were shot all in one day....that's how brilliant all 3 of those men are...originally BOB and ROD wanted ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE to shoot the book....however he was himself....DYING OF AIDS...it was a HORRIFIC TIME so positive images of gay men were at a premium...of course i had several books by HERB....SIGNED OF COURSE....and ALL of my straight bodybuilding friends knew about the book DUO and wanted to see it....they had NO PROBLEM with the images or the relationship the two men had...they also were aware of HERB and loved his work and everyone in the bodybuilding world loved and admired him...and you could see how his work influenced everyone in the fitness community...there was a gym where a girlfriend and i worked out at one of the owners was pretty big back in the day as a bodybuilder and he rolled with ARNOLD and that crew and he had snatched his share of titles and covers and he was very upfront about the gay community and the hustling and sex etc...he said that it was....and is common and very open....until it's time to sell BODYBUILDING to teens and middle America...he had no problem with it and he had a GREAT TIME back in the 60s and 70s before HIV AIDS.....he had to knock some sense into his son who was doing pretty well as a pro bodybuilder and his homophobia....and what his dad and i just told him he was childish and insecure....the dad and i talked about HERB....a LOT...smile...as i said everyone in the BB world admired him ...i also did my 1st commercial with one of the guys that JOE was grooming to replace BOB....JAMES DeMELO i think his name was if i remember correctly......BOB was way too intelligent and knew his worth as a commodity to JOE to not just be a puppet to him...the minute his contract was about to run out and he was going to sign with someone else JOE very wisely RENEWED his contract just to keep the competition from getting him....because JOE had already put in the WORK and resources to make BOB a STAR....BOB...truly was...and is very serious about his walking away from it all because SEVERAL HUGE PHOTOGRAPHERS were BEGGING him to get back into shape and they would turn him into a huge FASHION MODEL...and it would have ABSOLUTELY WORKED......but he REFUSED....he is also very intentional about his personal life last i had heard he was in a very serious relationship with a very well to do man and they are doing very well ...the younger generations are not that concerned with sexual orientation...not back then and not as much now....however i do remember how HUGE a deal it was back then...BOB...and his then husband ROD are ICONIC...and so VERY BRAVE....and i will always ADMIRE THEM...i did have all of the books and everything...now the only thing i do have is the DUO book HERB signed for me....THANK YOU for your VIDEO...i have...SUBSCRIBED....KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK...ALL THE BEST....
He should have wiped the floor with competitors of the 80's. Considering Chris Dickerson won the Olympia in 82 I guess it was the coming out part that couldn't be accepted.
It's interesting because Dickerson was well known to be gay. He played the game by keeping it on the down-low. Paris is enigmatic because there's so many question marks. Is he an example of unfulfilled potential ala Flex Wheeler etc etc? Or were there other forces at work behind the scenes as he claimed. He was definitely set up to be the face of 80s.bodybuilding. His is also a classic cautionary tale. If you choose to walk your own path, you might find the journey difficult if you shoot yourself in the foot in the process.
@darrellhyde7978 many many many many more you wouldn't at first suspect. Bob no doubt placed a heck of a target on his back being the first to openly speak out about his sexuality for that era
This is the question the video proposes - did bodybuilding fall out of love with Paris or did Paris fall out of love with bodybuilding. I couldn't find much evidence that Paris was snubbed. But instead, Paris let his physique go and tried to pivot towards mainstream celebrity and gay activism. Bodybuilding became his stepping stone and side hustle
It's sad really, Bob Paris was and still is an inspiration, I looked at him as someone to aspire for my motivation when I went to the gym five days a week for eight years. I still workout at 63 I look and feel I am in great shape, for all the effort. I wish Bob Paris the best, I will attribute my success to Bob Paris.
Great to hear Bob was a massive inspiration. One of the first magazine covers that inspired me has Paris on the cover. I don't think anyone can say that about the pros of today
Fascinating insight into Bob’s rise and fall! I remember admiring his physique for his impressive combo of aesthetics, condition and muscularity. I couldn’t help but think if he could only add some more mass, he’d be a threat in any Pro Show! Your content via this RUclips Channel is both unique and outstanding!! Keep these vids coming, @carvedouttastone 👍👌💪👊🤩🔥
Thanks CW for that very supportive comment. I'll do my best to keep bringing the best content I can, looking at these topics from a different angle. 👍💪🙌♥️
Agreed, but the video's larger question asks whether the openers regarding his sexuality really destroyed his bodybuilding career or not. He has a beautiful physique - one of the best - but was it a top contest winning physique compared to others like Haney etc? That's the question
To this day one of the greatest legends in bodybuilding history. He lives with his husband of many years in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia and is a professional writer
According to my research Bob was the first professional athlete EVER to come out while competing Established definition/criteria of a sport is: : that it is physical (exertion and/or skill), competitive/has rules, and organised (e.g. governing bodies. Or course there's an element of pageantry, but it also meets the.criteria of a "sport" as it's so defined
Met him in the 80’s in my local gym Toms Gym in St Helens, Merseyside UK. I was signing in and when I looked up he was standing there, no top on just in jeans. Incredible physique and very friendly. Later did posing after his seminar. He was selling t shirts and I wish I had bought one and got him to sign it. Recommend his book Gorilla Suit.
Bob Paris WAS classic physique before classic physique was even a thing. I spoke with Marc Martinez last night and we were taking value Bumstead and I mentioned how I still preferred Paris any day of the week over Chris
Did you know Bob or ever speak with him? How do you know anything about him being a "diva." I've known Bob since I'd competed nearly 40 years and he's not a diva. He now lives a quiet life away from bodybuilding.
@@kronkite1530 We are talking about Bodybuilding right? A chemically induced castration just to win a posing contest. Yep, thats the definition of a Diva.
What I miss about that era, is that everyone had a different type of body and they all looked different, did what they could with their body type. Nowadays? It's whoever comes in with the best conditioning with the same body type, and all with the same dumbass beard.
It's a very common sentiment and bang on in my opinion. Today's bodybuilding is largely and embarrassment lacking both the physiques and personalities we once knew, loved and respected. Thanks for commenting
Lol F** bait. Was it just cause i was younger or did the BB ranks of the mid to late 80s have more colourful characters? On another note. As a Canadian i.thought Robert Kennedy's Muscle Mag was Awesome. There's another guy who strayed from the whole ' Weider Express' IN Fact , you should do a vid on Robert Kennedy eh !
Hey Davey! Yes, I think the.characters were more colourfully defined because the writers of the various mags skillfully portrayed their characters better than social media does. We all followed the narratives of their respective story arcs through the articles in every mag - the amazing photography etc. it felt like we really got to know them vs the saturation we have today with social media which feels so random and arbitrary. I can't connect with any of these guys today. Good point about Kennedy - not much video exists but I'll see what Info I can wrangle up about him
Msuclemag definitely had a unique flavor. Speaking of guys who blew their career out because of overt gay for pay - remember Bruce Patterson? He was a Musclemag guy featured heavily and then he just disappeared
@carvedouttastone oh yeah definitely. And then boom; no more articles . I thought the Whole staff at thar magazine were really starting to heavily party in the mid 9os to early 2000's . U could read it in their articles like , hugely sexually overt stuff . Pretty freaking weird . Like , I think Greg Zulak . Even Gironda. BUT he did have articles by Dr Mario DiPascaule. (SIC) The riod Dr.
Yeah, Labrada, Paris, had incredible frames, but legitamately; Haney was just incredible. To my eye, the best ever. Biggest with perfect conditioning before the monster era.
@@carvedouttastone I usually do share. You should consider reaching out to John Hansen, he’d make a good interview because he’s a bodybuilding historian. Who else?, Samir Bannout, John Little, would be good.
Awesome video mate. I had never heard of Paris before picking up this book in a bargain bin for $5 back in the early 00s. I wish he would put it on Kindle as I lost my copy in a flood. He probably was placing where he deserved to be, I don’t think Weider was homophobic just a shrewd businessman. In todays climate he would probably have a rainbow in the corner of the cover of Flex.
Totally agree mate. Glad you liked the video and can see what my message is from it. Too many butthurt fanboys in bodybuilding that get offended because they can't comprehend nuance due to their ass being connected to their brain stem
Let’s keep it simple. I’ve seen Bob compete and when he was in shape he was incredible. The problem was he was he rarely hit his peak. He usually came in smooth and I’m guessing he hoped his symmetry would carry him through. Lee Labrada got as high as second at the Olympia but Lee was shredded. Bob wasn’t a small man. He had plenty of size. In a word he lacked discipline. Just a little more upper body density and shredded he would have won plenty of shows just not the Olympia.
Agree. I think he was torn between bodybuilding and wanting too many other possible life pathways. The fragmentation is never good for bodybuilding success - gotta have blinders on with extreme tunnel vision to be the best
Arnold was right that macho sells, and that is part of why the mass monsters took over and there's no more Steve Reeves types around. It is less of a male beauty contest and more of a freak fest. The best time is when it was a bit in between with Arnold and Nubret and Mentzer. Paris was never going to win regardless of coming out due to the change in the times, but if he had been in it earlier and not come out then he could have been a colossus.
Arnold will never be surpassed for the ideal aesthetic of bodybuilding. Something about his flow, mass and proportions that just hits the right notes visually compared to everyone else. Paris is right up there in terms of that pleasing aesthetic tho
This is an excellent analysis Bob Paris had a fantastic, symmetrical body BUT there's no way he could have beaten a Lee Haney - who had that same symmetrical base and much more muscle mass. Bob Paris also couldn't have beaten Lee Labrada, Shawn Ray, Flex Wheeler or freaks like Paul Dillet and Kevin Levrone. If anyone deserved to win an Olympia - in my opinion, it would have been a 'peak' Flex Wheeler!
Totally agree with that summation. Flex...geez, what a physique. I don't think there's been anyone more perfect than his 93 Arnold look at 213lbs. Definitely one of my top 3. Just lacked that winner's mindset to take the gold from a more resilient, Yates. Cheers for the comment mate. Really love the support
When I was teenaged ,when worked out and wanted to be like Steve reeves,Jack lelane and be attractive to women. When we looked at those magazines back in the day, we never realized that we were looking at men's bodies in posing trunks. It's true that some women go to the shoes, more homosexuals attend looking for men!
Informative Video ,I remember watching him doing his posing routine & Arnold Commentating and Bob was Very Effeminate with his moves & poses.Arnold said ,I don’t think that’ll work,He was right ,Was Creepy
Yes I listened to Arnold's commentary - either the one you referred to or another and Arnold was very critical saying Paris goes too overboard with his routines
@@carvedouttastone Yes ,Paris was a Great Poser,But I do recall the very Feminine one He did with Arnold Commentating,Think in a way,He was his own Worst Enemy ,Great Video 👍
One of mine too. Issue is he wouldn't want to discuss Bodybuilding and noone is interested in interviewing him about anything else he has to say unrelated to Bodybuilding
Wow…someone else who read Fussell’s book! I’ve met Paris, and found him affable and engaging. I don’t feel like he “turned his back” on his bodybuilding fans. Rather, he refuses to do anything that makes money for the industry. And I think you’ve undersold the climate of hatred towards gay people when he came out. At the time, there was hardly any other well-known gay American men advocating for that cause, and none that depended on the largess of straight society in the U.S. for their livelihood. But there were tons of cautionary tales…closeted celebrities the mere rumor of their sexuality causing career problems and far worse. However biased anyone’s biography might be, Paris was a 😊trail blazer.
There's probably a few because it's not an area a lot of guys directly train, particularly because training the neck makes you more prone to sleep apnea. Google Jeff King aka "Neckzilla" as he was famous for one of the most developed necks in history.
I think his coming out held him down 100% the ironic part is that homosexuality was rampant in that era and the powers that be knew it was bad for business.
Especially when the chief of the powers that be was strongly rumoured to be bisexual. Bodybuilding at the end of the day is built on hypocrisy manifested by smoke and mirrors
"Mass monsters" - also have a gay following, not only the "lighter more aesthetic and arty types". The impression of strength, virility and boldness in unusual levels will always attract some people regardless of gender. I enjoyed your overview and your directness, thank you.
Look which males (not necessarily men) are most attracted to Victimhood in present day America. Many have the physical appearance of being most masculine, but were raised in an almost entirely feminine world. Even with no tendency towards homosexuality, in many cases the only examples they've ever had in situation dealing has been feminine.
Can agree with that sentiment. A nation of men raised by women as the book fight club poignantly expressed. The retreat towards the feminine was socially inevitable.
"Victimhood" as if being openly gay in the late 80ies was easy. Not allowed to marry, get called F word by police if you reported a hatecrime. Being bullied and assaulted. (which still happens).
Yea but if Frank Zane won a Mr. Olympia then I frankly think that Bob Paris deserves it just as much or twice because he’s bigger, more aesthetic and overall got that perfect blend of muscle, aesthetics & art form!! Also extremely hypocritical that his sexuality could interfere with his bodybuilding career when this community thrived on these kinds of magazines and such from the gay community so I would really say everyone who is normalizing it today would really be due to the openness of Bob Paris back in the day, because he did encourage that something like this should not be interfering with his passion for the sport & now considering the amount of genders & sexualities we got today & biological men who compete in women’s powerlifting and bodybuilding with bigger genetic potential is somethin that isn’t that normal and truly needs to be spoken abt!!! What I wanna conclude is that in my mind regardless of whatever anyone says. Bob is Mr America, Mr Universe and is in my mind & should been a Mr Olympia!! & good on him to advocate for the sport to more of an artistic form and speak against drug use and to more of a natty/artistic physique rather than a balloon funny overally cartoonish figure from nowadays!!
Agree with what you're saying, but Zane was competing before the dominant reign of Haney and the.wider proliferation of GH - Paris may have won against Zane in the late 70s and early 80s, but he was never going to beat Haney. Thanks for commenting
@@carvedouttastone Yea I do agree that the freakier bigger physiques we’re starting to become more dominant. Thanks for that video it was very informative cause I’m a Bob Paris fanatic and a fellow 24 years old bodybuilder who’s aspiring to be of Bob’s caliber and similar physique one day!
@@mousofsundownradio5575 thank you again for your support and comment. Love interacting with like minded fans of Bob and bodybuilding. Hope you stay tuned for more
Sorry your gay hero was far from natty ...just a small dude that looks good and great genetic cuts. Zane in the late 80's on would have no chance as well in this drug game. I competed against such a physique in 2008 at the contra-costa in northern Cali and guy actually won overall ! So watched to see what happened in a national show and sure enough, couldn't even crack top 20. Just too many great bigger guys now that small Shawn Ray types won't beat.
Too much is made of things regarding "classic physique" as opposed to "mass monster". Your final product is determined almost exclusively by genetics and anabolic steroids not training style. All bodybuilders train heavy and hard. The rest is politics and profit. End of story.
True ! ...the elite do have a more mind-muscle connection though and pretty sure Bob had that where as someone like Dallas (rip) really didn't yet as it takes some time to find/discover it.
Its ironic his sexuality was an issue seeing as how many of the others have done gay for pay, which still goes on today. Did Weider own gay muscle magazines titles in the early days?
Very interesting and things i never knew as he was married, etc. He was really ahead of his time being seriously cut, bigger than Zane, Dickerson, amazing genetics and symmetry, the classic BB with a tiny waist, etc. Needless to say gay or not he was a good looking guy and seemed he loved to perform. BB is a DREAM not reality and lots of those guys/and ladies have hard lives between the $$$ for steroids, not being able to have a job as how many co-workers can accept a drug using muscle-head so they are forced into Gay 'visits' muscle worshiping, etc. Women are the same letting older guys feel their bodies, making vids and being CAM girls while filling themselves with harmful toxins that might kill them, let's just say its a far from 'healthy' sport. Look at Dave Draper making under 100.00 bucks a week working for Weider while being pictured with surfboards and sexy bikini clad girls 'Joe' got RICH on him, so many of them have/had drug issues other than steroids to remain cut, look at the Mentzer brothers, both dead and looked like crack heads before they died but the BB community always says they had an unknown and genetic issue that killed them, certainly not the drugs and meth they smoked daily!!!
The illusion always hides the painful reality of hopes and dreams crushed behind the scenes by corrupt powers that be. Thanks for your comment mate 🙏🙌💪
@@carvedouttastone I agree, it's sad but true and considering now days with ALL the drug use necessary for years even for local contests peoples health is usually subject to issues. Regardless of the sport, boxing, etc. only a few really succeed so its a goal and journey, you never know if you dont try though. I really think his genetics were amazing
He has always said he didn't win Mr. Olympia because of his being gay. To be fair, I think that's just an excuse. What cost him even placing in the top 5 was his preference of aestethics over everything else.
Thanks for your comment. Yes,.I tend to agree. Bob had a great physique - one of my favorites. But he wasn't going to beat Haney with his conditioning or lagging areas. Paris' arguments to the contrary were excuse making at best.
Just like every other victim mentality person the media has created. Real victim is someone like Brianna Kupfer ! ...and many other such examples that the small tribe owned media won't showcase.
Arnold showing his true colors as a Hollywood RINO has let the regular guy (who were his main base supporters) crowd down for the most part, so this neither defending, nor condemning him. However, Claiming he &or so many others who's likenesses were hijacked by, intentionally posed for these gay publication's is ridiculous. I'm speaking from a "business objective" point of view here. Even if (Arnold's competitive era) they were sympathetic to the agenda, it would be purposely cutting a hole in the boat. So many of these You Tuber's catering to the gullible need to be Taken with a Lot more than just A Grain of Salt it isn't even funny.
Average height of Mr Olympias is 5'7. So 5'11 is tall by standards of bodybuilders - maybe not by standards of say, NBA players. But everything is relevant when judged in the context of the topic discussed
Yeah we know Bob Paris is a great Man and a great body builder. But you did well researching about gay bodybuilders of the past and the gay4pay thing thats going on in the bodybuilding culture. The only gay bodybuilder i know is Noel Deyzel. Thank you
Appreciate that kind feedback. Yeah it's an interesting intersection but not too unsurprising. Everyone from Steve Reeves to Arnold have had their experiences with gay culture it seems. Was even surprised to hear of Lee Priest's "gay" experience the other day in an interview he did with Fouad Abiad during the threesome between him, another dude and his wife...
I saw Steve Reeves , the other who was like a copy of Bob was Rory L who never became a pro came in second to Bob and ahead of Mike Christian who took 3rd but I think if Bob had stayed in the closet he may have won 1 or 2 MR.O but I am straight but who cares it's like you can't like Queen as a rock group because Freddie is gay or Elton John but really it may have gained more fans but I noticed in the gym as you gain muscle your shocked with how many so called married men come on to you , which paints a bad stereotype it hurts people like Bob but when on stage it should come down to who is the best.
Before you started talking about the secret gay goings on in the bodybuilding world, I was going to say aren’t most of them secretly doing gay stuff behind the scene….?
Funny how every bodybuilder that didn't win the Mr Olympia but placed in the top 10 has their excuse as to why they were cheated out of the Olympia title. And it all comes down to victimhood. Gay, black, outspoken, whatever.
@@spec24 bingo. Bang on. I was gonna use a Ronnie soundbyte from the press conference in 97 (I think) - " I didn't complain in 94 when I got last place. I didn't complain when... yadda yadda - bottom line "DONT COMPLAIN" 😂
Bob Paris should’ve won both Olympus. He was robbed and everybody knows it. We know it was all about politics. Are you kidding me? He is deformed body against Bob. Paris is perfect symmetry the ultimate male he was like an action figure the perfect action figure.
Yes great point. Francis was awesome too. Didn't seem to get the same level of promotion compared to the regular Weider stable, but still a consistent fan favourite
f you'd like to help support my efforts to "pump-out" more content, please consider buying me a coffee www.buymeacoffee.com/carvedstone
Booking a training consultation: carvedoutofstone@gmail.com
Or signing up for my online coaching: carvedoutofstone@gmail.com
Thanks for your support!
😅m
Always wondered what happened to him. The man was 40 years ahead of his time. Thank you.
You're welcome. What's impressive to me was how good his development was even when he was so young. Thanks for watching
How so? Bodybuilding has taken a turn for the worse and awards the largest most freakish physiques instead of the ones that look the best. If anything, he was behind his time.
@@spec24 True, at the time it was the rise of the mass monsters. He had the classic physique look that is now, many years later, accepted as part of the Mr. Olympia competition.
Bob Paris is a great bodybuilder. He is also one of the most intelligent, thoughtful men in the history of our sport.
Agreed. One of a kind - walked his own path and broke the mold. The sport's true gentleman and an iconic physique which will endure the ages
I bought his book when it came out and I still have it. Bob had a lot of courage to come out back then. He should have placed higher in the Olympia.
Thanks for posting - where do you think Bob should have placed, out of curiosity? Do you agree he should have won an Olympia as he claims?
@@carvedouttastone I remember reading an article on the 91 Olympia where Paris , Labrada and I can't remember but there was another guy doing comparisons and the writer said that they both smoked Labrada. In fact there is footage where Labrada gets so frustrated he kinda walks off prematurely because he knew the other 2 guys were pushing him. At the end of the day compare Berry Demey who placed 3rd in one of of the Olympias to Bob's Physique and you will see that they are both similar in size and shape yet Berry places 3rd and Bob places 10th or ninth. Bob had flawless proportion and symmetry and was an incredible poser. 1988 was his best showing and I believe he was better than Gaspari , Labrada , Strydom, Mike Quinn due to his better structure. He should have placed second or third in my opinion. Body-building should be about overall shape and symmetry and not if some guy is a little bigger or has a few better better body parts. It's, Ike Dorian and Ronnie winning cos they had more muscle but they lacked the shape in some contests they won.
@@stefanosprokopis6974 I think Bob had some glaring flaws and his condition in the latter Olympias wasn't as sharp - his posing routines like the one I featured in my commentary regarding this era,.grew more erratic. I want to interview John Hansen and it will be interesting to get his take. Always hard to tell sometimes when you're not at the show and going off pics and videos - the discerning eye needed to judge bodybuilding competitions has never been my strong suit, admittedly
I came across my copy of his book the other day. When I opened it, snapshots from a book signing (that I'd forgotten about) fell out
Went to Bob Paris seminar here in England, was nice guy pleasant and honest.
Nice one. Would have been great to see Paris in his hey day.
Bob Paris was one of the greatest bodybuilder but more he is a man of great courage.
He walked his own path and told the powers that be to "fuck off" at the risk of his own future. Definitely a man of courage and I respect him for that
lol
He is absolutely a legend. I don't understand the pithy dislike coming from the guy doing voiceover. Paris was and always be a beautiful human being.
Pithy dislike? Lol. You're projecting your own animosity I think bud. Piss off an go watch Greg Doucette or Sam Sooklek. My videos are not for you
@@carvedouttastone Re: pithy dislike, I don't think @scorchy666 was trying to pick a fight: "The whole thing seems analogous to one of the contemporary social media fitness divas who after achieving mediocre placings in the competitive ranks suddenly blows out post contest, gaining enormous amounts of weight, only to suddenly switch gears, engaging in a bitter crusade as a reformed advocate for 'body positivity' and 'healthy at any size.'" I had to listen to this twice to pick up on the fact that you were not saying that Bob himself did those things. The tone of the analogy was jarringly derisive, and it's easy to confuse the metaphorical elements of that particular diatribe with Bob's literal story - right down to the misapprehension that, amid discussing gayness, you were calling him a bitter, bloated fitness diva. I perceived it the way Scorchy did until I played it a second time.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the video. I was a gay teen when Bob was competing, so I was very drawn to him because of his looks well before he came out. And boy, it meant a lot to me when he did come out even though he was a complicated role model. He might have felt ostracized within bodybuilding circles, but as a handsome white man with a physique by Rodin, he was the pinnacle of the urban gay stereotype that boys like me fervently aspired to but couldn't necessarily attain. And no question he stood to gain from the college lecture circuit and the fame within gay media, though I have no doubt that at that time, it wasn't worth the emotional cost and was a step down from the peer group of Lou and Arnold. But it's just interesting that you can be a pariah to one group and a deity to another.
Side note, I pine for the days when bodybuilding was a presence on cable television. Really baffling how ESPN2 used to air shows like Bodyshaping DAILY; and now with all the channels under the ESPN umbrella, they have exponentially more broadcast hours but don't even acknowledge bodybuilding anymore.
He’s been AN ICON(!) He literally made people dream about a body like him and represented the “Zane Evolution” of beauty, armony and balance in building a superhero phisique without exceeding in the freaknees ( ..I used to cut his photos from MD, Iron Man Magazine and Muscle Mag to put ‘em in the gym where they still stand and still attract people when they ask about him) LOVED AND LOVE HIM FOREVER💙🌟🔝
A one and only for sure. Don't make them like Paris anymore
I met BP in the very early 90's at a seminar he gave in UK. He was really nice man.
lol no
Still one of the most beautiful body builders of all time, and well done for your courageous honesty about your sexuality. Even in 2024.
I met Bob at the 1984 Mr O. He was very polite and thanked all of us for attending the show.
Would have loved to attended a seminar of Bob's in his prime. Thanks for sharing
That would have been Cool !!@@carvedouttastone
I was a heavy lifter in those days and I remember when he came out and it did destroy his career. Guys in the gym who would brag about Paris one week, the next week it was, I never liked that guy. Hypocrisy was very common in the bodybuilding side of the gym. He was a very classic bodybuilder he was great showman but like you said he lost his heart for the sport.
Interesting...so a common sentiment was a visceral revulsion among gym members when Bob came out?
@@carvedouttastonethe 80s were very different. A lot is lost. The thinking was very different. There was a fear of gay people and they were heavily linked with AIDS. There were even religious undertones that AIDS had been brought as a plague to punish them. To come out then was an extraordinary act but one that definitely wrecked his career and public support. Not everything was better in the ‘good old days’.
@@jimjim5245 did I not mention this in the video???
He’d smoke the classic physique division
great word choice
Lol indeed
@@SkylerKing hahahaha
😂 literally bro
😂😂😂
Amazing body. Total legend.
One of my favorites. While compiling the footage I was awestruck by how amazing he looked. So unbelievably good looking facially too, it's hard to think he wasn't able to go further in movies/tv/advertising etc.
I was lucky enough to be on vacation in California, and was walking along the beach front to see him doing a photo shoot , and I had a flex magazine in my hand which had bob on the cover , so I waited for him to finish the shoot and got him to sign the magazine.
Wow that's such a cool experience. Love those serendipitous meetings. How did her look in real life? More impressive than the mags? I was always struck by how much better and bigger than the pros looked when you saw them in real life
And what was he like in person?
@@carvedouttastone what? All these guys in real life are small as hell, Jay Cutler is like 5'8" 😆
ruclips.net/video/j5Y6u53lVJM/видео.html
I made a video about this, in a similar style to yours.
I am straight. Bob was truly an esthetic beast.
The pressure on the world in the 1980-90's to distance themselves from
"AIDS anything"
was huge.
Obviously, there is a lot of hype in his "tell all" book (I should have wonan Olympia! Etc), but he was overlooked numerous times due to being out gunned etc
Bob was in excellent condition either way, but only one
is Mr. Olympia.
Thanks for the comment mate. Do you think politics played a part in Bob's latter poor placings or had bodybuilding simply evolved since Bob's better, earlier heyday?
gay is not the way unless you mean happy.
Paris got ostracised because he came out and that’s what ended his career. Very sad as he was flawless and was never given his due.
That's what ended his career? How so? They didn't fire him? He walked away. He can't argue that he was in shape after he came out. He was far from it.
lol not sad at all unless you're talking about his confusion.
@@Sam-dq7ws What Confusión?
@@carvedouttastoneChris Dickerson was openly Gay and won the Olympia. Bob could never defeat Lee Haney that's what his problem was
@@rogerrousco2921 Dickerson was gay but he wasn't shouting it from the rooftops and openly marrying his partners on every syndicated national TV talk show at the time neither - he also wasn't writing books about it nor using it as a platform to promote himself as a desired celebrity. Weider had no problem with gay - as long as you kept it on the down low.
The fact Paris couldn't beat Haney was well covered in the video
Great tribute to Bob Paris. Paris wasn't as big as some of his competitors like Lee Haney but he had, arguably, the most aesthetic physique of all time that was just on a whole other level compared to the GH and insulin-abusing freaks that the Dorian Yates era of the 90's brought forward. (Though you could say this about most competitors from the 80's like Francis Benfatto, Gary Strydom or Lee Labrada) He got out at the right time in my opinion. Does his book 'Gorilla Suit' discuss his steroid use in much detail? As an enhanced lifter myself, I've always been curious how much deca, primo, GH, etc. he took to resemble a greek statue
Thank you! Not a tonne of detail about the drugs. Just names some compounds and admits his general distaste for that whole side of bodybuilding. I was surprised about the GH use though as I didn't think his physique reflected the implementation of that compound - shows clearly that it was well and truly implemented around that time though and all the top guys were probably using it pre Dorian era
Another excellent documentary!! Thank you
You're welcome mate. Glad you enjoyed it.
Bob Paris the physique vs Bob Paris the man
An another extremely enlightening video in both the historical context and in your analysis You are incisive yet fair. I always felt that Lee Labrada deserved an Olympia win, but with the background you have provided, aesthetics alone is not enough. Honestly no one is putting out this sort of qualty content.
Thank you mate. I'm glad some are discerning enough to see that I'm attempting to approach my topics from a different angle, but also with a level of balanced and fair reporting.
I've been particularly attacked for this vid, being labelled "homophobic" and a levelling a "hatchet" job against Paris - even while I clearly state.both my admiration as well as Paris' contributions to the sport and human rights.
Happy to have a mostly appreciative and supportive audience like yourself. Thanks again for your kind words
@@carvedouttastone .....then you will REALLY ENJOY MY COMMENT....LOL...you did an EXCELLENT JOB with this video ...THANK YOU....BOB...sold MAGAZINES....and that is the BOTTOM LINE....as you said he served STEVE REEVES REALNESS....and everyone bought into that....he was intelligent...articulate....and simultaneously charismatic and shy....and BOB and JOE had him under contract as basically a SPOKESPERSON...his placings in contests in my opinion were hardly the point...men and women admired him....and BOUGHT THOSE MAGAZINES......when he came out...a lot of people were not as HOMOPHOBIC as they were....CONFUSED....and him and his HUSBAND ROD were getting HEAT form EVERYONE....even the GAY COMMUNITY...BOB'S books were the best thing to happen to the bodybuilding community and the gay community...i has blessed to have a very....very long conversation with the openly gay fashion photographer....video and commercial director....portraitist....HERB RITTS....you have several images of his in your video...he photographed BOB and ROD for their AMAZING BOOK....DUO...he had also shot BOB for INTERVIEW MAGAZINE....the image you used with his hand over his face.....and he donated his share of royalties from the book to help people with HIV AIDS....he himself was HIV POSITIVE....and the making of the book was extremely personal for him....and also a HUGE RISK for HIM PROFESSIONALLY....but he was FEARLESS...and he did TONS of promotional work for the book........i recently read the images of the book were shot all in one day....that's how brilliant all 3 of those men are...originally BOB and ROD wanted ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE to shoot the book....however he was himself....DYING OF AIDS...it was a HORRIFIC TIME so positive images of gay men were at a premium...of course i had several books by HERB....SIGNED OF COURSE....and ALL of my straight bodybuilding friends knew about the book DUO and wanted to see it....they had NO PROBLEM with the images or the relationship the two men had...they also were aware of HERB and loved his work and everyone in the bodybuilding world loved and admired him...and you could see how his work influenced everyone in the fitness community...there was a gym where a girlfriend and i worked out at one of the owners was pretty big back in the day as a bodybuilder and he rolled with ARNOLD and that crew and he had snatched his share of titles and covers and he was very upfront about the gay community and the hustling and sex etc...he said that it was....and is common and very open....until it's time to sell BODYBUILDING to teens and middle America...he had no problem with it and he had a GREAT TIME back in the 60s and 70s before HIV AIDS.....he had to knock some sense into his son who was doing pretty well as a pro bodybuilder and his homophobia....and what his dad and i just told him he was childish and insecure....the dad and i talked about HERB....a LOT...smile...as i said everyone in the BB world admired him ...i also did my 1st commercial with one of the guys that JOE was grooming to replace BOB....JAMES DeMELO i think his name was if i remember correctly......BOB was way too intelligent and knew his worth as a commodity to JOE to not just be a puppet to him...the minute his contract was about to run out and he was going to sign with someone else JOE very wisely RENEWED his contract just to keep the competition from getting him....because JOE had already put in the WORK and resources to make BOB a STAR....BOB...truly was...and is very serious about his walking away from it all because SEVERAL HUGE PHOTOGRAPHERS were BEGGING him to get back into shape and they would turn him into a huge FASHION MODEL...and it would have ABSOLUTELY WORKED......but he REFUSED....he is also very intentional about his personal life last i had heard he was in a very serious relationship with a very well to do man and they are doing very well ...the younger generations are not that concerned with sexual orientation...not back then and not as much now....however i do remember how HUGE a deal it was back then...BOB...and his then husband ROD are ICONIC...and so VERY BRAVE....and i will always ADMIRE THEM...i did have all of the books and everything...now the only thing i do have is the DUO book HERB signed for me....THANK YOU for your VIDEO...i have...SUBSCRIBED....KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK...ALL THE BEST....
He should have wiped the floor with competitors of the 80's. Considering Chris Dickerson won the Olympia in 82 I guess it was the coming out part that couldn't be accepted.
It's interesting because Dickerson was well known to be gay. He played the game by keeping it on the down-low. Paris is enigmatic because there's so many question marks. Is he an example of unfulfilled potential ala Flex Wheeler etc etc? Or were there other forces at work behind the scenes as he claimed. He was definitely set up to be the face of 80s.bodybuilding.
His is also a classic cautionary tale. If you choose to walk your own path, you might find the journey difficult if you shoot yourself in the foot in the process.
Did not know about Chris!
@darrellhyde7978 many many many many more you wouldn't at first suspect. Bob no doubt placed a heck of a target on his back being the first to openly speak out about his sexuality for that era
He wasn’t quite big enough. Even Labrada couldn’t take down Haney
@@Hittdogg17 True. He should have won shows in general, not all.
Bob Paris was a great body builder and was clearly snubbed by the industry once coming out.
This is the question the video proposes - did bodybuilding fall out of love with Paris or did Paris fall out of love with bodybuilding. I couldn't find much evidence that Paris was snubbed. But instead, Paris let his physique go and tried to pivot towards mainstream celebrity and gay activism. Bodybuilding became his stepping stone and side hustle
@@carvedouttastone in his first Olympia he should have placed way higher.
@@jamiealexander7065 that was before the marriage stuff tho and where someone should or shouldn't place in a Bodybuilding is subjective
It's sad really, Bob Paris was and still is an inspiration, I looked at him as someone to aspire for my motivation when I went to the gym five days a week for eight years. I still workout at 63 I look and feel I am in great shape, for all the effort. I wish Bob Paris the best, I will attribute my success to Bob Paris.
Great to hear Bob was a massive inspiration. One of the first magazine covers that inspired me has Paris on the cover. I don't think anyone can say that about the pros of today
Fascinating insight into Bob’s rise and fall!
I remember admiring his physique for his impressive combo of aesthetics, condition and muscularity.
I couldn’t help but think if he could only add some more mass, he’d be a threat in any Pro Show!
Your content via this RUclips Channel is both unique and outstanding!!
Keep these vids coming, @carvedouttastone
👍👌💪👊🤩🔥
Thanks CW for that very supportive comment. I'll do my best to keep bringing the best content I can, looking at these topics from a different angle. 👍💪🙌♥️
what fall?
He had a great body.
His sexual orientation shouldn't have had anything to do with it.
Agreed, but the video's larger question asks whether the openers regarding his sexuality really destroyed his bodybuilding career or not. He has a beautiful physique - one of the best - but was it a top contest winning physique compared to others like Haney etc? That's the question
The quality of your writing... Hats off, sir. Great channel
That really means a lot because I'm still as stuck in the "damn I suck" stage - definitely glad to get that feedback. Thanks a lot mate! 😊
@@carvedouttastone i understand. intellectually, you will succeed. I think people need the kind of storyteller you are. I am hooked.
@@carvedouttastone i realize,.. I think you write like a good journalist.Something to be absorbed
@pontusnorgren8849 you're too kind. Thank you, I hope I can continue to deliver 🙏🙌
Confessions of a bodybuilder is a great book
Agreed - Check out my review and two part analysis videos I made if you haven't already:-)
He was (is) almost perfect.
As good as it gets and better than they currently are ❤️💪
Yeah, Bob was always cool to me.He was there for me a couple times when I competed and really cool inspiration.
Outstanding Report! Thank you for making and sharing this.
And thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you enjoyed it
Awesome video thank you for sharing. I love this guy
To this day one of the greatest legends in bodybuilding history. He lives with his husband of many years in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia and is a professional writer
His 84 Olympia routine was the best posing routine I ever saw.
Great video, gets the balance spot on between Bob's amazing physique, honest approach and his undoubtedly fragile ego
Excellent Essay!
Didn't Chris Dickerson come in the late 1970s and win the 82 Olympia ?
LASTLY! Bodybuilding isn't a sport, it's ,"Pageantry !".
It's a beauty contest for men😄
And I say that as a former amateur competitor.
According to my research Bob was the first professional athlete EVER to come out while competing
Established definition/criteria of a sport is:
: that it is physical (exertion and/or skill), competitive/has rules, and organised (e.g. governing bodies.
Or course there's an element of pageantry, but it also meets the.criteria of a "sport" as it's so defined
Met him in the 80’s in my local gym Toms Gym in St Helens, Merseyside UK. I was signing in and when I looked up he was standing there, no top on just in jeans. Incredible physique and very friendly. Later did posing after his seminar. He was selling t shirts and I wish I had bought one and got him to sign it. Recommend his book Gorilla Suit.
That's very cool man. Wish I had the opportunity to meet some of these guys back then. Thanks for watching
Great video
And well said ! Loved it
Cheers again for the supportive comment on my work Sam.
Bon Paris was made for Classic Physique. Rory Lidlemeyer also.
Bob Paris WAS classic physique before classic physique was even a thing. I spoke with Marc Martinez last night and we were taking value Bumstead and I mentioned how I still preferred Paris any day of the week over Chris
Great deconstruction of a persona. And the "Diva" comment was bang on😂
Did you know Bob or ever speak with him? How do you know anything about him being a "diva." I've known Bob since I'd competed nearly 40 years and he's not a diva. He now lives a quiet life away from bodybuilding.
@magnaclaim: You knew him personally did you? 🤔🙄🤡
@@kronkite1530 We are talking about Bodybuilding right? A chemically induced castration just to win a posing contest. Yep, thats the definition of a Diva.
What I miss about that era, is that everyone had a different type of body and they all looked different, did what they could with their body type. Nowadays? It's whoever comes in with the best conditioning with the same body type, and all with the same dumbass beard.
It's a very common sentiment and bang on in my opinion. Today's bodybuilding is largely and embarrassment lacking both the physiques and personalities we once knew, loved and respected. Thanks for commenting
@@Daniel_Martin777 it's boring as.shit today as well. I can't find anything to comment on regarding the current crew. They have zero personalities
Lol F** bait. Was it just cause i was younger or did the BB ranks of the mid to late 80s have more colourful characters? On another note. As a Canadian i.thought Robert Kennedy's Muscle Mag was Awesome. There's another guy who strayed from the whole ' Weider Express'
IN Fact , you should do a vid on Robert Kennedy eh !
Great magazine, Muscle Mag International by Robert Kennedy so much more " real" than flex/ muscle & fitness.
Hey Davey! Yes, I think the.characters were more colourfully defined because the writers of the various mags skillfully portrayed their characters better than social media does. We all followed the narratives of their respective story arcs through the articles in every mag - the amazing photography etc. it felt like we really got to know them vs the saturation we have today with social media which feels so random and arbitrary. I can't connect with any of these guys today. Good point about Kennedy - not much video exists but I'll see what Info I can wrangle up about him
Msuclemag definitely had a unique flavor. Speaking of guys who blew their career out because of overt gay for pay - remember Bruce Patterson? He was a Musclemag guy featured heavily and then he just disappeared
@carvedouttastone oh yeah definitely. And then boom; no more articles . I thought the Whole staff at thar magazine were really starting to heavily party in the mid 9os to early 2000's . U could read it in their articles like , hugely sexually overt stuff . Pretty freaking weird . Like , I think Greg Zulak . Even Gironda. BUT he did have articles by Dr Mario DiPascaule. (SIC) The riod Dr.
It was great to read. I particularly like the Canadian content.
Yeah, Labrada, Paris, had incredible frames, but legitamately; Haney was just incredible. To my eye, the best ever. Biggest with perfect conditioning before the monster era.
He deserved more visibility and recognition. Possibly a future Haney video incoming to celebrate one of the "good guys" of the sport
@@carvedouttastone Will you do one dedicated to Rich Gaspari?
I agree pity he doesn't do a few interviews.
Top Notch work again
Thanks mate. Please share if you think others might find the video entertaining - my shit gets no reach otherwise 💓
@@carvedouttastone I usually do share. You should consider reaching out to John Hansen, he’d make a good interview because he’s a bodybuilding historian. Who else?, Samir Bannout, John Little, would be good.
@@carvedouttastoneRight about one thing. Shit.
@@badmyse1I doubt John would find any favour with this garbage.
@@kronkite1530objectively, why do think that it’s garbage?
Awesome video mate. I had never heard of Paris before picking up this book in a bargain bin for $5 back in the early 00s. I wish he would put it on Kindle as I lost my copy in a flood. He probably was placing where he deserved to be, I don’t think Weider was homophobic just a shrewd businessman. In todays climate he would probably have a rainbow in the corner of the cover of Flex.
Totally agree mate. Glad you liked the video and can see what my message is from it. Too many butthurt fanboys in bodybuilding that get offended because they can't comprehend nuance due to their ass being connected to their brain stem
Yup good old conman weider was part of small tribe that still pushes perversion to the masses and labels you if disagree with the agenda.
Let’s keep it simple. I’ve seen Bob compete and when he was in shape he was incredible. The problem was he was he rarely hit his peak. He usually came in smooth and I’m guessing he hoped his symmetry would carry him through. Lee Labrada got as high as second at the Olympia but Lee was shredded. Bob wasn’t a small man. He had plenty of size. In a word he lacked discipline. Just a little more upper body density and shredded he would have won plenty of shows just not the Olympia.
Agree. I think he was torn between bodybuilding and wanting too many other possible life pathways. The fragmentation is never good for bodybuilding success - gotta have blinders on with extreme tunnel vision to be the best
Agreed. Bob never actually reached his true potential. Imagine if he had.
When you have everything, and it all comes down to one genetic trait others will have OVER you. Height!
Bob Paris is the “Greatest Bodybuilder “ of all time!
Arnold was right that macho sells, and that is part of why the mass monsters took over and there's no more Steve Reeves types around. It is less of a male beauty contest and more of a freak fest. The best time is when it was a bit in between with Arnold and Nubret and Mentzer. Paris was never going to win regardless of coming out due to the change in the times, but if he had been in it earlier and not come out then he could have been a colossus.
Agree with those sentiments entirely - thanks for sharing
Arnold was kind of between the aesthetic types and mass monsters. He had both.
Arnold will never be surpassed for the ideal aesthetic of bodybuilding. Something about his flow, mass and proportions that just hits the right notes visually compared to everyone else. Paris is right up there in terms of that pleasing aesthetic tho
A very happy 64th birthday you evergreen handsome hunk you 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎂🎂🎂
Happy birthday Bob
This is an excellent analysis
Bob Paris had a fantastic, symmetrical body BUT there's no way he could have beaten a Lee Haney - who had that same symmetrical base and much more muscle mass.
Bob Paris also couldn't have beaten Lee Labrada, Shawn Ray, Flex Wheeler or freaks like Paul Dillet and Kevin Levrone.
If anyone deserved to win an Olympia - in my opinion, it would have been a 'peak' Flex Wheeler!
Totally agree with that summation. Flex...geez, what a physique. I don't think there's been anyone more perfect than his 93 Arnold look at 213lbs. Definitely one of my top 3. Just lacked that winner's mindset to take the gold from a more resilient, Yates. Cheers for the comment mate. Really love the support
Look at them now in old age ... Haney did it right !
When I was teenaged ,when worked out and wanted to be like Steve reeves,Jack lelane and be attractive to women.
When we looked at those magazines back in the day, we never realized that we were looking at men's bodies in posing trunks. It's true that some women go to the shoes, more homosexuals attend looking for men!
Informative Video ,I remember watching him doing his posing routine & Arnold Commentating and Bob was Very Effeminate with his moves & poses.Arnold said ,I don’t think that’ll work,He was right ,Was Creepy
Yes I listened to Arnold's commentary - either the one you referred to or another and Arnold was very critical saying Paris goes too overboard with his routines
The 1988 Olympia routine posing to Tracy Chapman's Baby Can I Hold You Tonight, however was awesome
@@carvedouttastone Yes ,Paris was a Great Poser,But I do recall the very Feminine one He did with Arnold Commentating,Think in a way,He was his own Worst Enemy ,Great Video 👍
I never saw the feminine routine, thankfully.
@@bigd7696 Good thing It was Cringe Worthy
🇫🇷
Merci beaucoup from 🇦🇺🦘
He's my fav bodybuilder. I wish Joe Rogan would interview him.
One of mine too. Issue is he wouldn't want to discuss Bodybuilding and noone is interested in interviewing him about anything else he has to say unrelated to Bodybuilding
Wow…someone else who read Fussell’s book!
I’ve met Paris, and found him affable and engaging. I don’t feel like he “turned his back” on his bodybuilding fans. Rather, he refuses to do anything that makes money for the industry. And I think you’ve undersold the climate of hatred towards gay people when he came out. At the time, there was hardly any other well-known gay American men advocating for that cause, and none that depended on the largess of straight society in the U.S. for their livelihood. But there were tons of cautionary tales…closeted celebrities the mere rumor of their sexuality causing career problems and far worse. However biased anyone’s biography might be, Paris was a 😊trail blazer.
@@sfkeepay I have a two part review series of videos on fussel's books in my earlier vids
Being homosexual was against him.
The whole lbgt whateva is like a terrorist organization.
No offense but I've always wondered why some body builders have such tiny necks..I'd honestly would rather have a Brock Lesnar type build..
There's probably a few because it's not an area a lot of guys directly train, particularly because training the neck makes you more prone to sleep apnea. Google Jeff King aka "Neckzilla" as he was famous for one of the most developed necks in history.
@@carvedouttastone Interesting..My uncle has that..All bad!!
@@carvedouttastone Today it's Rubiel Mosquiera.
I think his coming out held him down 100% the ironic part is that homosexuality was rampant in that era and the powers that be knew it was bad for business.
Especially when the chief of the powers that be was strongly rumoured to be bisexual. Bodybuilding at the end of the day is built on hypocrisy manifested by smoke and mirrors
@@carvedouttastone you know who I'm talking about. 💯.
@@johnsheetz6639 he wasn't nicknamed Schmoe Weider for nothing 😂👍. Thanks for watching and for commenting
@@carvedouttastone not surprising considering what tribe he is from, same as Weinstein, Epstein.
Interesting. Would like to know more about the early connection between bb and the LA gay scene.
Good book that goes into the history of that is "Buying Gay: How Physique Entrepreneurs Sparked a Movement" by David Johnson
@@carvedouttastone nice, I like horror.
"Mass monsters" - also have a gay following, not only the "lighter more aesthetic and arty types".
The impression of strength, virility and boldness in unusual levels will always attract some people regardless of gender.
I enjoyed your overview and your directness, thank you.
Agreed. Every human variance/deviance will always find its niche following. That's for watching and leaving a comment on the video
@@carvedouttastone You're welcome. A coffee is on its way...
@@oceejekwam6829 oh man, thank you so much. You have no idea how much that's appreciated right now...
@@carvedouttastone You're welcome.
Beautiful Man !
Look which males (not necessarily men) are most attracted to Victimhood in present day America. Many have the physical appearance of being most masculine, but were raised in an almost entirely feminine world. Even with no tendency towards homosexuality, in many cases the only examples they've ever had in situation dealing has been feminine.
Can agree with that sentiment. A nation of men raised by women as the book fight club poignantly expressed. The retreat towards the feminine was socially inevitable.
Indeed, sickening.
"Victimhood" as if being openly gay in the late 80ies was easy. Not allowed to marry, get called F word by police if you reported a hatecrime. Being bullied and assaulted. (which still happens).
Yea but if Frank Zane won a Mr. Olympia then I frankly think that Bob Paris deserves it just as much or twice because he’s bigger, more aesthetic and overall got that perfect blend of muscle, aesthetics & art form!! Also extremely hypocritical that his sexuality could interfere with his bodybuilding career when this community thrived on these kinds of magazines and such from the gay community so I would really say everyone who is normalizing it today would really be due to the openness of Bob Paris back in the day, because he did encourage that something like this should not be interfering with his passion for the sport & now considering the amount of genders & sexualities we got today & biological men who compete in women’s powerlifting and bodybuilding with bigger genetic potential is somethin that isn’t that normal and truly needs to be spoken abt!!! What I wanna conclude is that in my mind regardless of whatever anyone says. Bob is Mr America, Mr Universe and is in my mind & should been a Mr Olympia!! & good on him to advocate for the sport to more of an artistic form and speak against drug use and to more of a natty/artistic physique rather than a balloon funny overally cartoonish figure from nowadays!!
Agree with what you're saying, but Zane was competing before the dominant reign of Haney and the.wider proliferation of GH - Paris may have won against Zane in the late 70s and early 80s, but he was never going to beat Haney. Thanks for commenting
@@carvedouttastone Yea I do agree that the freakier bigger physiques we’re starting to become more dominant. Thanks for that video it was very informative cause I’m a Bob Paris fanatic and a fellow 24 years old bodybuilder who’s aspiring to be of Bob’s caliber and similar physique one day!
@@mousofsundownradio5575 thank you again for your support and comment. Love interacting with like minded fans of Bob and bodybuilding. Hope you stay tuned for more
Sorry your gay hero was far from natty ...just a small dude that looks good and great genetic cuts. Zane in the late 80's on would have no chance as well in this drug game. I competed against such a physique in 2008 at the contra-costa in northern Cali and guy actually won overall ! So watched to see what happened in a national show and sure enough, couldn't even crack top 20. Just too many great bigger guys now that small Shawn Ray types won't beat.
Great bodybuilder in his time, but judges are like politicians, not very objective!!!
Indeed and sometimes blind as I know what it feels like to be overlooked.
The history of bad judging in the IFBB is almost it's own feature length video
Too much is made of things regarding "classic physique" as opposed to "mass monster". Your final product is determined almost exclusively by genetics and anabolic steroids not training style. All bodybuilders train heavy and hard. The rest is politics and profit. End of story.
It's an interesting consideration for sure. Does the sport decide the athletes or do the athletes decide the sport? Thanks for commenting
True ! ...the elite do have a more mind-muscle connection though and pretty sure Bob had that where as someone like Dallas (rip) really didn't yet as it takes some time to find/discover it.
David Dearth was the Zane with muscles. Paris was all hype especially G4P was big even back then. Arnold has some secrets too.
Agreed 💯
State of the flute on sandow
Its ironic his sexuality was an issue seeing as how many of the others have done gay for pay, which still goes on today. Did Weider own gay muscle magazines titles in the early days?
This is exactly what the video discusses
Very interesting and things i never knew as he was married, etc. He was really ahead of his time being seriously cut, bigger than Zane, Dickerson, amazing genetics and symmetry, the classic BB with a tiny waist, etc. Needless to say gay or not he was a good looking guy and seemed he loved to perform. BB is a DREAM not reality and lots of those guys/and ladies have hard lives between the $$$ for steroids, not being able to have a job as how many co-workers can accept a drug using muscle-head so they are forced into Gay 'visits' muscle worshiping, etc. Women are the same letting older guys feel their bodies, making vids and being CAM girls while filling themselves with harmful toxins that might kill them, let's just say its a far from 'healthy' sport. Look at Dave Draper making under 100.00 bucks a week working for Weider while being pictured with surfboards and sexy bikini clad girls 'Joe' got RICH on him, so many of them have/had drug issues other than steroids to remain cut, look at the Mentzer brothers, both dead and looked like crack heads before they died but the BB community always says they had an unknown and genetic issue that killed them, certainly not the drugs and meth they smoked daily!!!
The illusion always hides the painful reality of hopes and dreams crushed behind the scenes by corrupt powers that be. Thanks for your comment mate 🙏🙌💪
@@carvedouttastone I agree, it's sad but true and considering now days with ALL the drug use necessary for years even for local contests peoples health is usually subject to issues. Regardless of the sport, boxing, etc. only a few really succeed so its a goal and journey, you never know if you dont try though. I really think his genetics were amazing
Weiders ...just another example of a small tribe that own everything and push perversion.
Today would have been a different story
Arnold did more than pose for a gay magazine...believe it. Original GOLDS in Santa Monica had a guy who would hook you up for a price.
Any discussion you can link me to about that?
He has always said he didn't win Mr. Olympia because of his being gay. To be fair, I think that's just an excuse. What cost him even placing in the top 5 was his preference of aestethics over everything else.
Thanks for your comment. Yes,.I tend to agree. Bob had a great physique - one of my favorites. But he wasn't going to beat Haney with his conditioning or lagging areas. Paris' arguments to the contrary were excuse making at best.
Just like every other victim mentality person the media has created. Real victim is someone like Brianna Kupfer ! ...and many other such examples that the small tribe owned media won't showcase.
Bob Paris had a good physique not a great physique so he would never won Mr. Olympia just like Serge Nubret would have never won.
Agreed. Bob had the kind of body you'd love to have walking along the beach. Lee Haney was a bodybuilder.
Agreed. Bob had the kind of body you'd love to have walking along the beach. Lee Haney was a bodybuilder.
I trained under Nubret and still have the plan he gave me ...dude was into a lot of sets !
Arnold showing his true colors as a Hollywood RINO has let the regular guy (who were his main base supporters) crowd down for the most part, so this neither defending, nor condemning him. However, Claiming he &or so many others who's likenesses were hijacked by, intentionally posed for these gay publication's is ridiculous. I'm speaking from a "business objective" point of view here. Even if (Arnold's competitive era) they were sympathetic to the agenda, it would be purposely cutting a hole in the boat. So many of these You Tuber's catering to the gullible need to be Taken with a Lot more than just A Grain of Salt it isn't even funny.
Yes I can definitely see your point. Thanks for your comments
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you!
looks that challenge, Steeve Reeves....Paris was destroyed when he came out as gay
Destroyed? How so exactly? I couldn't find definitive proof for the crucifixion he claimed
5’11” is tall?
Average height of Mr Olympias is 5'7. So 5'11 is tall by standards of bodybuilders - maybe not by standards of say, NBA players. But everything is relevant when judged in the context of the topic discussed
Most bodybuilders are tiny, in real sports they would be considered midgets.
Yeah we know Bob Paris is a great Man and a great body builder. But you did well researching about gay bodybuilders of the past and the gay4pay thing thats going on in the bodybuilding culture.
The only gay bodybuilder i know is Noel Deyzel. Thank you
Appreciate that kind feedback. Yeah it's an interesting intersection but not too unsurprising. Everyone from Steve Reeves to Arnold have had their experiences with gay culture it seems. Was even surprised to hear of Lee Priest's "gay" experience the other day in an interview he did with Fouad Abiad during the threesome between him, another dude and his wife...
Iove this man
Thanks for commenting! Anyone else you'd like to see me cover in a video?
I saw Steve Reeves , the other who was like a copy of Bob was Rory L who never became a pro came in second to Bob and ahead of Mike Christian who took 3rd but I think if Bob had stayed in the closet he may have won 1 or 2 MR.O but I am straight but who cares it's like you can't like Queen as a rock group because Freddie is gay or Elton John but really it may have gained more fans but I noticed in the gym as you gain muscle your shocked with how many so called married men come on to you , which paints a bad stereotype it hurts people like Bob but when on stage it should come down to who is the best.
Before you started talking about the secret gay goings on in the bodybuilding world, I was going to say aren’t most of them secretly doing gay stuff behind the scene….?
Funny how every bodybuilder that didn't win the Mr Olympia but placed in the top 10 has their excuse as to why they were cheated out of the Olympia title. And it all comes down to victimhood. Gay, black, outspoken, whatever.
@@spec24 bingo. Bang on. I was gonna use a Ronnie soundbyte from the press conference in 97 (I think) - " I didn't complain in 94 when I got last place. I didn't complain when... yadda yadda - bottom line "DONT COMPLAIN" 😂
Broke and penny-less, yet still had a car...
I don't see the contradiction. I've also been boke and penniless, yet still had a car.
Bob Paris should’ve won both Olympus. He was robbed and everybody knows it. We know it was all about politics. Are you kidding me? He is deformed body against Bob. Paris is perfect symmetry the ultimate male he was like an action figure the perfect action figure.
You should have titled this video "let me speculate with no evidence whatsoever"
@@spec24 sounds like someone's triggered
Francis Benfatto 1000 times better than Paris
Yes great point. Francis was awesome too. Didn't seem to get the same level of promotion compared to the regular Weider stable, but still a consistent fan favourite
Father wound,absue is the major component , they are not born that way.
One of Bob's quotes along the same line was exactly that
‘Show me a bodybuilder and I’ll show you a guy with dad issues.’”
Bingo ...that or groomed which is abuse still.
That's very ignorant.
@@Sam-dq7wsThere are far more heterosexual abusers of children. Stop listening to QAnon BS.
@@BTScriviner lol is it? Actually you are if follow the alphabet retards.
When I see Bob's or Labrada's head any aesthetic stops because it's too big, they're too short.
Bob was almost 6 foot.
@@carvedouttastone Correct. I was wrong but his head...still too big in my opinion.
@thehyborian it was just his hair style. Besides most bbers use hgh which makes their head jaw hands and feet bigger
What dose God say about Homosexuality.
..and all sin !
When you find out a guy will hold one until the swelling goes down kinda ruins the respect.
Gay man. Gay "sport".
One of the Most Beautiful Perfect Gorgeous Mr. Universe of all time.
He certainly was Flawless. Thanks for commenting
He was so naive. He should be a household name in bodybuilding.
Agreed. Thanks for your comments 🙏