Zaro Rossi - autographed!

Here's that picture I promised back in January -- a photo personally autorgraphed by Zaro Rossi! If only my name happened to be Jack....

When I purchased this sepia beauty, I admit to being a bit skeptical about the signature's authenticity. What led me to bid was the fact that while the seller could read the name with no problem, he (she?) didn't appear to know the model's last name, limiting the search potential (I found this while searching under the very generic "gay vintage 50s" in my endless quest for Palatinus photos). Someone familiar with classic physique models would surely have put "Zaro Rossi" in the item description!

Lo and behold, just a couple of weeks ago, another autographed Zaro came up for auction -- from a different seller. Compare the two -- the autographs are identical. It's no secret that Zaro sold sets of photos of himself directly to his fans -- here's an advert for the second picture from a March 1958 issue of Adonis that features the second photo.

Sadly, the cost of this second picture exceeded my meager means -- but I'm very happy to have visual proof that I own an actual photograph signed by the incomparable Zaro!

Charles Klejniak and an official admirer...

I recently acquired this fantastic holiday snap of Belgian bodybuilder Charles Klejniak posing with a British bobby outside the Houses of Parliament. I think this is an awesome photo!

Bee Gees - "You Win Again"

First Donna, and now, tonight, I learn that Robin Gibb has left the world. Only 15 years older than me! Thank you, Robin (and Maurice, and Barry, and Andy) for creating the soundtrack of my youth.

Donna Summer - "State of Independence"

Farewell, Donna -- and thank you for all the wonderful music. (And thanks to Rick Castro at Antebellum for reminding me of Donna's fantastic version of this song.)

Jim Park by Russ Warner

Jimmy Somerville - "The Core"

Nearly 30 years after "Smalltown Boy," the Voice is still transcendent.

Jimmy Somerville - "Heartbeat"

Ah, the wonders of YouTube -- I had never seen this video until tonight. From 1995 - the hit single that never was. I find Jimmy incredibly sexy -- always have, always will. So there.

Jimmy Somerville - "Coming" (from the film "Orlando")

A forgotten classic, from Sally Potter's amazing film "Orlando" in 1992. A fan-made video by Eretico80, featuring the art of Eadweard James Muybridge, the godfather of physique photography.

Jimmy Somerville and Bronski Beat - "Smalltown Boy" -- Live!

A rare live performance by the original Bronski Beat -- Jimmy Somerville, Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek. This song is as powerful (and relevant) today, nearly 30 years after it was recorded...