A while back, I was contacted by an old-school fan out in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Melanie Wilson offered to send me some photos to share with SlamWrestling.net readers.
“Finally, here are the photos. I know I have a few more but unable to locate in my clutter,” she wrote. Also enclosed were some Christmas cards from wrestlers — I can make out Sweet Daddy Siki and Fred Curry for sure — and an autograph book.
But I was particularly drawn to the photos, which are very much a moment in time.
When I look at the photos, I can’t help but reflect back on the many stories I have done on these people through the years (click for more info).
- Sweet Daddy Siki I know very well, having worked with him on his documentary.
- Bulldog Brower is on the cover of The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels, and I talked extensively to his family for that one.
- If I were to count, I bet I’ve interviewed Emile Dupre more than two dozen times; here’s the archive (though some of the stories were dated, previewing summer tours, so didn’t survive the move to the new site).
- One of the last interviews Don Jardine ever did was with me, as he was prominent in PWHF: The Heels, and then a couple of years back, I got to know his widow, Becky, at the Cauliflower Alley Club. Of course, he’s still “Babyface” Jardine here, and not yet The Spoiler.
- Chuck Conley is mentioned our book, The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams, as a part of the Scufflin’ Hillbillies.
- Bronko Lubich was someone I once talked to, and then wrote an obituary on. Ditto for Rudy Kay.
- Yvon Durell — “The Fighting Fisherman” — was one of the most colourful boxers-turned-wrestlers ever.
- “Leaping” Larry Chene is profiled in a piece by Steve Johnson in The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes & Icons.
- The Johnny Valentine archive of stories is live once again, and John Molinaro covered his health issues near the end of his life in detail.
- Darling Dagmar was a fun interview years ago, and then I met her at the CAC too.
- Tiger Joe Tomasso was profiled in the Canadian Hall of Fame, as was midget legend Little Beaver.
- Then there are a couple I don’t have much knowledge about: Kit Fox, Sonny Whitehorn, Alex Medina. I even threw in a shot where I’m not totally sure who it is.
But it all comes back to Siki. That purple suit? Man, not many people could pull that off!
