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528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://www.cbass.com |
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Remembering Dave Draper
One of the earliest articles on this website is about a phone call from the Blond Bomber: https://www.cbass.com/DRAPER.HTM I don’t usually answer the phone, but this time I did. “This is Dave Draper, do you know who I am?” “Sure I know who you are,” I replied. (What the heck, everyone in bodybuilding knows The Blond Bomber.) He continued: “Larry Scott tells me that you are the one to talk to about launching a successful website.” (We went online in 1996.) I explained that the key is to give visitors reason to keep coming back. We do that by updating every month. The next thing we knew he and Laree had launched “DaveDraper.com.” They one-upped us by bombarding visitors with Breaking News—Headlines—You Heard it Here First—And Dave’s Wondrous Way with Words—EVERY WEEK. I gave up on comparing our traffic to theirs, because they were always well ahead of us. When announcing that they were shutting down Dave's Iron Online column, they estimated that they had published 1,000 installments. Dave’s unmatched way with words was on display to the very end:
No responsibility for a weekly newsletter two weeks in a row was . .
. how do you say it? A Relief, capital R . . . We liked it! A lot! * * * I’ve written extensively about Dave’s wit and wisdom. My review of perhaps his best known book, Brother Iron Sister Steel: A Bodybuilding Book, covers his take on training, everything from secrets (there are none), aerobics (too much burns muscle), steroids (you’ll crash when you stop), diet (junk is for jerks), and wonderful memories of life in and out of bodybuilding. He loved training and what it teaches about life. “I can only guess what a mess I’d be without it.” https://www.cbass.com/DraperBook.htm * * * I also reviewed his last book: A Glimpse in the Rear View. He writes about people and places in the Golden Era of Bodybuilding, his take on the current scene of bodybuilding, his battle with heart disease, and feeling back in control. “That we are aware of what we must do places us well above the rest.” “That we practice what we must puts us on top.” https://www.cbass.com/news12.html (scroll down to The Blond Bomber’s Book Just Out) * * * Our sincerest condolences to his wife Laree, who provided the foundation for him to excel at what he did best: write about his unique view of bodybuilding and how it can make the world a better place. She provided the following passage as an example of his unmatched way with words. No one in bodybuilding and perhaps any place else could put words together like he did. Put the filter of time on a moment, a day or an era; add slow motion, plus your favorite sounds, apply shades of black and white with brilliant color, and it’s all legendary, pulsing and dramatic. Nostalgia is more precious than the present, more real, friendlier and informative. Today will be more important tomorrow...next year.” Like Carol for me, he would’ve been at sea without Laree. We both chose extremely well. * * * There will never be another like Dave Draper. Laree says the outpouring regarding his passing is astounding, that she has been forced to give up on attempting to read, much less respond to it all. My he rest in peace. January 1, 2022 Laree has alerted fans to the obituary which appeared in the New York Times and elsewhere. It is one of the most detailed we've ever seen. Dave was one the most admired and loved bodybuilders of all time. The only shortcoming in the obit is the failure to include his amazing way with words. Any one remotely interested in bodybuilding will want to read this very special obituary. Here's a link: Comment on this article: FEEDBACK Ripped Enterprises, P.O. Box 51236, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-1236 Home | Products Index | Ripped Bks | Lean Adv. Bks | Lean For Life | Recommended Bks | |Consultations | Posing Suits | Tapes | To Order | Feedback] Copyright © 2022 Clarence and Carol Bass. All rights reserved.
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