This page is devoted to the memory of the great JCG, a.k.a.,
the "glow" or the "Monarch of Muscledom."
I had many memorable visits with JCG at the York Barbell Co.
in York, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1968. Some
of my most prized possessions include a copy of Masculine
Perfection, a book of photos that Grimek sold of himself
years ago, and some letters from John. His kindness to
me and others is legendary.
For
those unfamiliar with John Grimek, I offer the following
excerpt from an article written by Clarence
Bass as a short introduction to this great man:
"John
Grimek, known as the Monarch of Muscledom for five decades,
was probably the most revered bodybuilder of all-time.
Grimek was so far ahead of other bodybuilders that the rules
had to be changed after he won the Mr. America title in 1940
and 1941, to prevent him from dominating the competition for
years to come. In addition to being the only two-time Mr.
America, he was a national champion and member of the United
States Olympic weightlifting team in Berlin (1936). He was
chosen "Mr. Universe" at the 1948 Olympic games in
London, before going on to win the "Mr. USA" title
in Los Angeles in 1949 against the finest professional
bodybuilders in the world. The later victory left him as the
undisputed best physique in the world, and perhaps the best
built man of all time. He retired as the only bodybuilder in
history who was never defeated in a contest.
As great
as his record was, it doesn't fully account for the
adulation he received. Perhaps it was greatness coming along
at the opportune time, but there was a magic about Grimek.
Much in demand at universities all over the country, art
instructors said they had never seen the human form so
beautifully put together as it was in John Grimek. Perhaps
even more remarkable was his nature .In spite of achieving
almost godlike status, Grimek remained a kind and humble
man."
watch grimek playing around and posing:
Grimek's
contest wins:
York
Perfect Man Contest, Novermber18, 1939 (age 29)
AAU
Mr. America, May 25, 1940, Madison Square Garden, NY (age
29)
AAU
Mr. America, May 24, 1941, Arena Sports Palace,
Philadelphia, PA (age 30)
Most
Muscular Man Contest, May 4, 1946, Turner's Hall in
Philadelphia (age 35) John Grimek, 1st Place;
Steve Stanko, 2nd Place
Sam
Loprinzi, 3rd Place
Mr.
Universe, August 13, 1948, Scala Theatre, London, England
(age 38)
Pro
Mr. USA, March 26, 1949, Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles
(age 38)
MY
FAVORITE PHOTOS:
Magazine
Covers
1932 November The Strong Man
1935 February La Culture Physique
1935 May Strength & Health vol 3, num 6
1937 Dec Strength & Health
1938 Jun Strength & Health
1939 Jun Strength & Health
1940 Jan Strength & Health
1940 Apr Strength & Health
1940 Aug Strength & Health
1940 Oct Strength & Health
1941 Aug Strength & Health
1941 Dec Strength & Health
1942 Nov Strength & Health
1943 Apr Strength & Health
1943 Dec Strength & Health
1945 Jan Strength & Health
1945 Sep Strength & Health
1946 Apr Strength & Health
1947 Feb Strength & Health
1948 Jan Strength & Health
1948 Oct Strength & Health
1949 May Strength & Health
1950 Feb Strength & Health
1951 Feb Strength & Health
1955 Jun Strength & Health
1956 Feb Strength & Health
1958 Feb Strength & Health
1958 Dec Strength & Health
1965 Jun Strength & Health
1964 Jan Muscular Development (cover) vol 1, num 1
1967 Feb Muscular Development (cover) vol 4, num 2
