And the winner is . . .(total lack of surprise) . . . Mike Sill
This is Mike Sill's 1957 University of Utah class photo. Somewhat surprisingly, he doesn't appear on any of the athletic pages of the yearbook. Neither did he in his high school annual, despite having been described both during and after his lifetime as a track and field star.
Dave Martin called Mike Sill "my biggest discovery," and that's an amazing compliment considering how many outstanding models he photographed. Both the seaside rock setting and the pose are classic Martin. The tan lines provide added interest, as if we needed any.
The above vignette shows that Mike Sill was well connected in the world of bodybuilders,
having helped his friend Steve Reeves find a high end horse after he appeared in Hercules.
We get a blonde version of Mike Sill in this 1957 cover shot for The Male Figure. I don't know if Bruce of LA, the photographer, got him to bleach his hair or if he spent a lot of time in the sun.
Mr. Sill appeared on no less than 12 magazine covers, most of them of the bodybuilding type.
And I'm bringing this somewhat unwieldy series to an end with the ultimate (literally)
money shot. Fellow bodybuilder turned photographer Bob Delmonteque described to a
friend how he talked Mike Sill into posing frontally nude for this session "despite his
deep religious convictions because of the pride in his amazing body."
He sure had good reason to be proud of his body. Where can we find the story by Delomntesque?
ReplyDeleteI found it on Google, but didn't save the link. There's a lot of stuff on Delmonteque out there, so you may have to sift through it.
DeleteYes, no real surprise to see that Mike Sill won the title, but deservedly do. He had an amazing physique and had every reason to be proud of his body. This has been a super series, Jerry, and definitely not unwieldy.
ReplyDeletePeter
Glad you enjoyed it, Peter. I thought I'd try something a little different.
Deletethe yearbook photo.. you have it tagged as '53 and '57.. which is it?
ReplyDeleteIt was '57. I don't see a reference '53 anywhere.
DeleteHuge thanks to Mr Delmonteque for persuading Mike to do a nude session. Finally getting to show off years of hard work as it should be seen.
ReplyDeleteThis whole series hits close to home! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteYes, it would, given your screen name.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it!
Nice mini-overview of Sill's bodybuilding and physique modeling.
ReplyDeleteHe may have asked to be left off the yearbook athletic pages out of his convictions or he did not like being boasted about. Good ass shot by Martin and leave it to Delmonteque to get Sill to show his full manhood in all its glory.....:)