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528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://www.cbass.com |
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Remembering Peary Rader
A high point in our lives was having Peary and Mabel Rader chose Carol and I to carry on publication of Iron Man, considered by many to be the best strength training magazine of all time. Peary was having his attorney prepare the contract transferring the magazine when we decided that we were not in a position to carry on publication of the magazine, financially or otherwise. The Raders had a printing press in back of their home where the magazine was produced. They had a printing business along with the magazine. (Their first issue was printed in August of 1936, in the midst of the Great Depression, on an old mimeograph machine that Peary had found in the trash and repaired. They were a do it yourself couple.) They went on to sell the magazine to John Balik, who had experience publishing magazines. * * * Our first in-person contact with the Raders was at a regional Olympic lifting contest they put on in their home town of Alliance, Nebraska. I Pressed and Snatched 225 and Clean & Jerked 300. (Peary saw that I walked my talk.) They invited Carol and me to visit in their home. It turned out to be the first of many visits over the years. (I remember how much Peary loved Mabel's fruit pies. I did too.) We would often see them at regional or national contests and then drive or fly to stay over with them in Alliance. * * * Peary stood with Bob Hoffman and Joe Weider as giants in the world of strength training publications. Historian Bill Hinbern ranks the Rader's Iron Man as the best strength training magazine of all time. At its peak, the magazine had a circulation of 40,000. Peary Rader, strong man and publisher, gave an open forum to those that wanted to share their methods for success through his famous "Iron Man" Magazine. He was the first to publish my articles, including the one that laid the groundwork for our first book, Ripped. As I have written here before, I sent the manuscript to Bill Reynolds, who spoke highly of the book to Joe Weider, opening the door for my long running RIPPED column in Muscle & Fitness. You can see why we feel forever blessed to have been the Rader's first choice to carry on their celebrated strength training magazine. It gave us confidence to take on this website, adding new insights month after month. The website was Carol's idea. I had my doubts, but she pushed me over the top. * * * Peary passed away 32 years ago, while Mabel celebrated her 106th birthday earlier this year. We will always love and appreciate you, Peary Rader! January 1, 2024 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 | Tapes | To Order | Feedback] Copyright © 2024 Clarence and Carol Bass. All rights reserved.
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