Memories of Ed from Lonnie Teper
From Lonnie Teper
Sadly, the new year brought with it some depressing news...legend Ed Corney, called the greatest poser of all time by former IRON MAN Magazine Publisher John Balik, passed away this morning at 85. Sources have told me Corney suffered a brain aneurism late Christmas evening and hung on for another week before he couldn't fight any longer.
Corney, one of the icons of the Golden Age of Bodybuilding, had a great physique but the conversation always turned to his posing talents whenever his name came up.
"Ed spoke to the audience like no other bodybuilder in my 50+ years of experience," Balik said Monday night after hearing the news. "His charismatic presence electrified his audience. Ed projected love and everyone loved him back. RIP my friend!"
Corney appeared on the covered of the book "Pumping Iron" and on the posters for the movie, which enhanced his popularity even more. I remember getting a phone call from a close friend of Ed's in 1999, I think it was, letting me know Ed had suffered a heart attack undergoing shoulder surgery, leading to two strokes (due to medication given to him for the heart attack)and time in a coma. But that wasn't enough to keep this fella down for long. Every time I would see him at an event, he had that famous Corney smile, greeting his legions of fans and nary a word of sorrow about his unfortunate health issues.
Corney won titles at the IFBB MR. America, the IFBB Universe and the Masters Olympia 60+ on two occasions en route to the Bodybuilding Hall of Fame. I will always remember how courteous Ed was every time we would run into each other, complimenting me on my writing and emceeing, when he was the one deserving of all the accolades. Here I am, in the presence of one of the games greatest players, and he's making me feel special. Special is a good word to describe Ed Corney, on and off a bodybuilding stage. Gone, but never, ever forgotten. Thank you for all that you did for the world of bodybuilding.
RIP, my man!
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