I keep in mind standing outdoors of Gold’s Gymnasium in Venice again within the early Nineteen Eighties and listening to a younger bodybuilder complain that there have been no extra “massive guys” within the sport. At that time, Arnold had retired, and high rivals included Samir Bannout, Chris Dickerson, and Frank Zane. Wonderful bodybuilders, however not very massive ones. However little did I or that younger bodybuilder understand {that a} sea change was about to happen in physique competitors, and it will be introduced by the arrival of the huge and aesthetic Lee Haney.
I run into massively mesomorphic physiques on a regular basis, our bodies that appear to be they had been designed for linemen within the NFL. Lee Haney doesn’t have that sort of physique. The story I heard was that he bought into bodybuilding as a result of he broke his leg twice enjoying highschool soccer. That might point out that Lee has mastodon muscle mass however not mastodon bones. And, after all, that’s the key to his excellent aesthetics. With smaller bones and joints, you may find yourself with extra shapely, tapered muscle mass. In any other case, you find yourself with thick, huge however extra blocky muscle mass. Take a look at pictures of Lee and see how small his wrists are. I at all times seen the identical factor about Arnold. Enormous forearms tapering right down to surprisingly small wrists.
Within the age of 300 kilos plus Mr. Olympia rivals, Lee Haney may not appear that huge. However when he received the NPC Nationals in 1982, he appeared like one very massive dude, certainly. He was the primary of a line of future huge rivals resembling Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman, and Jay Cutler – main finally to Large Ramy, who’s so huge he appears to be like as if he may be a member of a distinct species.
Again within the 80s, the Nationals champion went on to compete within the IFBB Mr. Universe. I keep in mind speaking to Lee on the flight to Belgium for the Universe and having him inform me he had by no means been to Europe earlier than. “You aren’t actually going to Europe now,” I informed him. “You might be simply going to a different contest. An airport, a resort, a theater. The identical factor you’re already used to. Think about that and take pleasure in a visit to Europe later, after you’ve received the competition.”
Evidently, Lee did win the Universe and went on to victory in eight Mr. Olympia occasions. The final was in 1991 in Florida. The query on the time was whether or not “newcomer” Dorian Yates would be capable of beat the champion and grow to be the brand new Mr. Olympia. I keep in mind being backstage when Dorian got here in to pump up. He was after all very spectacular. After which Lee got here in took off his shirt. Photographers and journalists watching instantly realized the competition could be for second place. Lee was a type of bodybuilders, together with others like Lee Labrada, who was at his greatest the 12 months he retired.
I had event to {photograph} Lee Haney many instances, on stage, within the health club, and within the studio. He was at all times a complete gentleman, simple to take care of. Joe Weider despatched me twice to Atlanta to shoot Lee in his gyms. The unique one had no air-con. You’d suppose, doing pictures in November, wouldn’t be an issue. However I’m from very dry Los Angeles and Atlanta was extraordinarily humid, so though it was not super-hot, I ended up with a set of Lee Haney tee-shirts since I saved getting replacements after I sweated by way of those I used to be sporting.
The subsequent Lee Haney health club shoot was at his newer health club, all chrome and air-conditioned. It was widespread for photographers on the time to spray topics with water to imitate sweat. I sprayed Lee a number of instances, however the health club was very chilly at that time, and he discovered this uncomfortable. So, he lastly stated to me in his mild however very pronounced southern drawl, “Invoice, please don’t spray me with no extra water….”
That was about as “tough” as Lee Haney was able to being. An excellent-nice man, everybody would agree.
Bodybuilding Titles
- 1991 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 1990 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 1989 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 1988 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 1987 Grand Prix Germany (II), 1st
- 1987 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 1986 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 1985 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 1984 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 1983 World Professional Championships, 3rd
- 1983 Mr. Olympia, third
- 1983 Night time of Champions, 1st
- 1983 Grand Prix Switzerland, third
- 1983 Grand Prix Sweden, 2nd
- 1983 Grand Prix Las Vegas, 1st
- 1983 Grand Prix England, 2nd
- 1982 World Beginner Championships Heavyweight, 1st
- 1982 Nationals Heavyweight & Total, 1st
- 1982 Junior Nationals Heavyweight & Total, 1st
- 1979 Teen Mr. America Tall, 1st
- 1979 Teen America 1st
