Bob Birdsong
| Bob Birdsong | |
|---|---|
| — Bodybuilder — | |
| Personal info | |
| Born |
1948 Tennessee, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Professional career | |
| Pro-debut | AAU Mr. Los Angeles, 1973 |
| Best win | IFBB Mr. America, 1974 |
| Predecessor | Lou Ferrigno |
| Successor | Robby Robinson |
| Active | 1971–89 |
Bob Birdsong (born 1948) is a former American bodybuilder. He competed in several IFBB and AAU bodybuilding contests, and won a number of important titles in the 1970s, including the 1974 IFBB Mr. America.
Born in Tennessee, Birdsong first competed in the 1971 AAU Mr. America coming in 21st. He followed by competing in contests, such as AAU Mr. California, AAU Mr. Western America, and IFBB Mr. International.[1]
Early life
Birdsong was born in Tennessee and raised in Kentucky. He described himself as a "skinny and stuttering kid" growing up. As a child, he got bullied by other children because of the name "Birdsong" and his body. At the age of fourteen, Birdsong first became interested in bodybuilding.[2] He later attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California where he studied fine art.[3]
Gay pornography
In the early 1970s, Birdsong signed with male erotica studio COLT and posed naked for various gay publications. Birdsong's friend, bodybuilder and owner of the Gold's Gym, Ken Sprague also worked with the studio and established his own gay pornography production company. He produced several gay porn loops with Birdsong appearing in one scene with Sprague, Ric Drasin and Bruce Morgan. The scene was later included in the films California Supermen (1973) and Loadstar (1975).[4][5]
Contest history
- 1973 AAU Mr. Los Angeles
- 1973 Mr. Pacific Coast
- 1974 IFBB Mr. America
- 1975 IFBB Pro Mr. Universe
- 1975 IFBB Pro World Championships
References
Footnotes
- ↑ Fair 2015, p. 226.
- ↑ "An Interview with Bob Birdsong". Midwest Christian Bodybuilding. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ↑ Feinstein, Alice (May 31, 1980). "He found strength in his faith". Spokane Daily Chronicle. p. 3. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ↑ "Loadstar". Gay Erotic Video Index. 1973. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ↑ "California Supermen". Gay Erotic Video Index. 1975. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
Sources
- Fair, John D.. Mr. America: The Tragic History of a Bodybuilding Icon. University of Texas Press; 2015. ISBN 978-0-292-76750-8.
External links
- Official website
- Bob Birdsong at Mucle Memory