VILLAGE PEOPLE'S DAVID HODO, C. 1979
Village People weren't the first, or only, mainstream act to slyly infiltrate gay iconography into Middle America; in 1976, the film Lifeguard introduced the Castro Clone to the world, via one Sam Elliot.
A few years later, Al Parker became the biggest gay porn star in the world, sporting a startlingly similar look (if a bit less feathered).
To the pioneering ambassador of the Castro Clone look to society at large, we say, Happy Birthday, Sam Elliot! (August 9, 1944)
SCREEN CAPTURES FROM THE SAM ELLIOT TRIBUTE PAGE
Hmmmm. Al is clearly the UltraClone, but I think Sam is a little more transitional - halfway down a continuum that starts with Harry Reems (total straight) and ends with a cashmere sweater draped on the shoulders over the plaid flannel shirt (total gay).
ReplyDeleteBut of course I'll take any excuse to have a gander a Sam. Or Al. Or even Harry. Or even, for that matter, a really good cashmere sweater.
The clone look as a whole never did much for me, but I always *did* think that the Construction Worker was the cutest VP, and Al Parker was undeniably hot, regardless of the "clone" business.
ReplyDeleteSam Elliot leaves me cold in everything *except* "Lifeguard." I'm not a fan of 'staches, but he's sex on two legs in that film.
Harry Reems! I'd forgotten all about him. He reminds me of Geraldo Rivera. And I'm not sure how I feel about that.
The clone look was a reaction to Anita Bryant's attack on the gays.
ReplyDeleteIn fact the whole trend towards muscles and army camo etc was to give a harder tougher appearance as if to say don't fuck with the gays. IMHO
Interesting insight on Dray's part. I wonder if her homophobia was the start of the change.
ReplyDeleteDray -- Interesting take on the clone phenomenon! Poor, misguided Anita. And her 1960's album covers were all so fab, too.
ReplyDeleteThere will never ever be another like Al Parker, and it's probably silly to hope for one. A wilderness can only be cleared once, and Parker, Jack Wrangler, Richard Locke, Fred Halsted, and one or two others pioneered the territory that is today's robust gay porn business. Those who follow can only hope to improve or disgrace that landscape.
ReplyDeleteAbsofuckinglutely
DeleteAmen! Al Parker was, is and always will be my favorite pornstar. What I would give to see him in some of the kinky scenes that are produced today.
ReplyDelete