modern photographers - Michael Alago

Imagine my surprise to receive an email from Michael Alago at the old v-m-p.org site -- I had purchased his first book, "Rough Gods," about a year previously and loved it! My taste in men has "matured" over the years and his aesthetic certainly jibes with mine.

Michael is relatively new to the field of professional photography -- previously, he spent more than 20 years in the music industry, working with artists as disparate as Metallica and Nina Simone. "Rough Gods" was his first, self-published book (still available from the artist at his website) and a second "Rough Gods" is due out later this year. Roy Dean is a favorite artist of Michael's, which is how we connected, and can give you an idea of the kind of men he likes to photograph.

Several interviews and articles on his work can be found throughout the internet, but you can start here and here as well as at the artist's homepage.

modern photographers - JD Dragan

I had a fun exchange of emails last year with Philadelphia photographer JD Dragan. His work has been appearing in print for many years, most notably in calendars published by 10 Percent/Village Lighthouse under the "Provocateur" label. I saw his display at a Tom of Finland Art Show in LA a number of years ago. There's a very informative interview with him at the StudioGuyzMag blog. Of course, check out his own website, jddragan.com to explore his wonderful work, and support him with a purchase! (They're all wonderful, but Neftaly and Shawn are just superb!)

Cherokee by Milo

Back in action, with all files (apparently) complete!

After banging my failing external HD around for a few days (yes, computer abuse -- so sue me) I was finally able to get my computer to recognize it. But only a third of the files showed up (and not my vintage file!). With the aid of GetDataBack and a fresh hard drive from Best Buy (and three more days of patience) everything is looking fine and dandy!

So let's get things going again with a fresh new look at Everett Lee Jackson, aka Cherokee, by the wonderful Pat Milo... hope you like this one, Rod!

a slight delay...

Sorry, guys, but I have had my main external hard drive crash on me, and wouldn't it have to be the one I have all of my photos on? I have most of my vintage files on another, older drive, but I'm trying to find a way to save the newer one, as it has my last couple years of work on it. I'll try to get back to posting again next week.

New Zealand rugby players...

...swap their jerseys, just for you!

Go ahead, check it out! You can even print out personalized posters! (I did -- WOOF!)

:-)

A few more looks at Larry Scott by Milo

...for Alan G.

Larry Scott kicks off Demi-Gods

On the cover of the first issue, March, 1961, most likely by Pat Milo.

John Weidemann -- at vintagemale.info!

Click here for 32 more shots of Mr. Weidemann, taken by Bruce of LA!

Scott Manley by Champion

Here are a couple of shots of this blond wonder that didn't appear at the old v-m-p.org site. Thanks to P. for sending me a shot of him the other day and jogging my memory -- I hope you like this upgrade, buddy!

Also included is a drawing by RAW -- Richard A. White -- from some skin mag of the 80s. Looks familiar! A little artistic license used here, but what the heck!

Daddy's Muscles

...with thanks to Robert!

Uncle Forry's Dracula Ring to be auctioned...

I have been a life-long fan of classic science fiction and horror films. In the 70s, every Saturday afternoon from 1 to 4 PM, I could be found glued to the TV set, watching Channel 56's Creature Double Feature. I still read an occasional SF novel (there's a new C.J. Cherryh "Foreigner" book out I need to buy) and love to watch the old flicks on the new widescreen TV...

But while I was a big fan, there was only one GREATEST fan of science fiction, and that was Forrest J. Ackerman. Uncle Forry, as he was known to all who knew him (or of him), was there at the beginning -- from the first issue of "Amazing Stories" and going to see the silent classic "Metropolis" over 100 times -- heck, he even coined the term "sci-fi" -- he was the greatest champion of the joys of science fiction, fantasy and horror that ever lived. He was the creator and editor of "Famous Monsters of Filmland" and ran that magazine for its first 25 years of publication. Over his lifetime he gathered literally hundreds of thousands of pieces of memorabilia which he kept in open display at his home, the "Ackermansion," and fans from around the world were welcomed with open arms to view that wondrous treasure trove and hear stories about such greats as Lugosi, Karloff and Chaney from a man who knew them personally.

Strangely, I have never read an issue of FM, but I always read his articles in the sadly-missed "Scarlet Street" magazine. During the few years I lived in Los Angeles, I didn't get to see the collection, but I did get to meet the man himself at a screening of Ib Melchior's "The Time Travelers" -- possibly the best time travel movie ever, and one in which Forry made one of his hundreds of film cameos. I got Ib Melchior and Uncle Forry to sign my VHS copy of "The Time Travelers" at that screening -- it is one of my dearest possessions.

I read in the paper this morning that Uncle Forry's prized possession, a ring worn by Bela Lugosi as Dracula, was to be auctioned off in the next day or so. Yes, Uncle Forry died last December, but this news just really hit it home -- the classic age of sci-fi really has passed away. Frankly, I would have thought that the ring would have been buried with the man. I really hope that it is being auctioned at his express wishes to help plump up his estate for his heirs.

Thanks for the memories, Uncle Forry!

unknown duo by Arax

Very unusual to see pouched models by Arax...

Tom Matthews by AMG

Ray Kellogg by Champion

Steve Pierce, 1964 - 2009

Steve Pierce was a wonderful performer on the leather/fetish side of the gay porn industry and a personal favorite of mine. He and his partner got married last year during those brief moments when it was legal in California -- they had been together for 21 years! More on this sad news can be found here and here.

Farewell, Steve -- you will be missed, and you will not be forgotten!

Alphaville - Romeos

Alphaville is one of my favorite music groups, and this song is taken from their third album, "The Breathtaking Blue" -- an absolutely beautiful album that I've listened to constantly for the last 20 years. I was browsing through YouTube and stumbled over this video for the song "Romeos." Apparently all the songs on the album were turned into videos by directors from around the world -- this one is directed by Australian Ian Pringle and stars the then up-and-coming young actor Noah Taylor, who has quite an IMDB resume.

Marian Gold's voice really soars in this song. I hope you like it!

John Hamill by John Barrington

That's it for today, fellas -- have a great one!

unknown stunner by Royale

Royale and Hussar were studio names used by Basil Clavering.

John Hague by John Graham

Ted Gutteridge by Pete Dobing

Sad to say, I don't have any ID's on this, other than it came form a cache of files that included a great number of British studio photos. He looks very familiar -- I'm sure someone will help us out soon!

Updated 4/29/09! Many thanks to D A N (is this my old Yahoogroup buddy?) for ID'ing Mr. Gutteridge!

Ron Dobinson by Pete Dobing

Something to keep an eye out for --

Author and fellow physique buff Rupert Smith has a new novel set for publication this November, "Man's World." As he wrote me, "it’s set partly in the present day, partly 50 years ago, substantially in the world of physique photography. (The title, of course, comes from a very popular British physique mag of the period.)" Sounds like a must-read to me, guys! I hope he gets some distribution here in the States, but in any event, I will post a link to Amazon.co.uk as soon as the publication date nears.

Chris Averkiou by Scott

Mike Scudder by Hussar

Let's take another look at Britain today...

I wonder if EM Forster had someone like this in mind for "Maurice" --?

Don Len by Frank Collier

One last Golden Boy to end the night... sleep tight, fellas!

David Zurborg by Bruce of LA

Another classic Golden Boy -- from a time when every boy's best friend was the comb in his back pocket!

Bud Counts -- by AMG?

This one is unattributed in my files, but it sure looks like an AMG to me. What an amazing Golden Boy Bud was!

Larry Farrell by AMG

John Grimek by Lon of NY

IN-CRED-I-BLE!!!

Seymour Koenig -- proud prizewinner

Mark Edwards by Bruce of LA

Bruce always made a good use of red!

Thanks to Robert for the nice butt-shot -- a wonderful upgrade to the one I had in my files!

"In the Flesh" with Joe Leitel, Don Fuller and Roger Devereau

Apollo was one of the studio names used by Dick Fontaine.

Be sure to turn your speakers on, boys -- this one actually has sound!