Forgotten Bodybuilder: John Brown

John Brown was a great Golden Era bodybuilder that nobody really talks about anymore. Unfortunately there aren't a whole lot of photos of him out there, but his legacy lives on through his son's football achiev*Interact with me on social media*
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[@kellyjordan1076]

I really wish the small waist would come back to bodybuilding these old school guys look a Lot better than today's bodybuilders.

[@gerardov.9716]

Kelly Jordan, amen.

[@all66books]

As a skinny kid in the 60s, I can remember the greats of that time, and best bodypart awards being handed out. Best abs was one of them. Of course, guys used to battle for the overall, but for the other trinkets as well. The abs on guys like Zabo Kozewski and Chuck Sipes were something to see. Even the bulkiest guys would never think of going on stage without ripped abs.

[@tunal13]

it's sad to see amazing physiques like this forgotten

[@yahawashiswarrior6030]

His abs and chest are some of the best I've seen. Thanks for the content. Never heard of him till now.

[@NaCle7]

Patient Warrior his abs are weird

[@crazeedino3692]

Patient Warrior they look like Hwang chul soon's

[@TheClassicWorld]

Scott Adkins and Bruce Lee's abs (at peak) are better.

[@thecop-arazzi653]

Patient Warrior his chest is one of the best if not the best but his abs are off genetically

[@yahawashiswarrior6030]

Yeah I mean his abs aren't symmetrical but they have a nice pop to them.

[@razorbacks1983]

He has 3 sons. The one that played for N.D. is in the NFL now plays for Green Bay. The middle son plays for Stanford. And the youngest plays for U.S.C. they speak 3 languages and all have a 4.0 GPA. John Brown did a hell of a job raising them congratulations

[@marianmanzatu566]

Golden era ...aesthetics to the max...

[@knightlife98]

His chest definitely rivaled Arnold's..., that's for sure.....

[@flizzy4645]

scott crabtree better than Arnold's

[@knightlife98]

Pretty Boy Flizzy I'll agree with that!!!!

[@hasannoorkhan8798]

Pretty Boy Flizzy you're the stupidest guy on KZbin. anyone with any knowledge of bodybuilding knows Arnold had the best chest in history

[@moregainsmorehs]

Hasan Noor Khan one of the biggest but not the best

[@mrslick58]

@@hasannoorkhan8798 no lol

[@streetgangs]

John Brown was good friends with Craig Monson during late 1970s and the 1980s. And they are still friends today.

[@mgomez9736]

StreetTV my first thought when he said he was from Compton was whether or not you or Kev Mac had ever heard of this guy.

[@dfworldwide7210]

@@mgomez9736 same went looking for it lol

[@davidblackwell6914]

Good to know he's alive and well!! The industry backs who the want back in the limelight!

[@autismwalk6855]

John Brown and his wife started a company called Cane Protein. My daughter and I love their product. I am happy for their success! 🌟🌟🌟

[@shadow786kid]

old school body builders actually cared about the aesthetic look of body building, the new school is just about being as big and ripped as possible

[@Athenian64]

That's why the tag "bodybuilding" needs to change to "monster building","muscle building" or whatever. They (old guys) used first the term anyway. We are talking for two different things with the same name.

[@Divisiononebasketball]

Sean Ray just did a where are they now interview with him on KZbin. John Brown and his family are really impressive. Sports Illustrated also featured him and called him the LaVar Ball of football, just not with the big mouth as Ball.

[@oilligor1060]

I had his posters in my bedroom I wanted to look like him, we have the same body structure.And I send him a message on facebook but he don't workout anymore. Still impressive to see his shape after many years.

[@LordWout]

His chest and back are amazing!

[@nekronbeast3981]

John Brown also pioneered that style of slow classical posing and then in the middle of the routine his music would change to a faster up tempo song and he would start the pop locking dance moves that others like Melvin Anthony ,Tricky Jackson, Flex Wheeler, Vince Taylor, Kai Greene ,and King Kamali would all try an emulate in their own way. Terrific bodybuilder

[@mick998r]

He appeared in the 85 Olympia with a break dance routine. It seemed to go down well, and he was in great condition. Not huge but very symmetrical.

[@greatray6262]

I definitely remember John Brown and that classic physic and his super small waistline. Another funny thing I remember about John Brown is in the mid 80's he appeared in a film called "Malibu Express" that had some bad editing where in one scene the style of his hair went from being long to freshly cut during a chase scene. That scene and the fact that at that time he had a physic that was distinctly different from other bodybuilders has not allowed me to forget John Brown the bodybuilder.

[@greatray6262]

Actually he was in 3 or 4 movies but that Malibu Express stand out to me because of that editing error. I think another reason he's not that well remembered is because he has such a common name.

[@RealThunder99]

He looked like a bodybuilder Michael Jackson

[@lonnybear1846]

DeniX lol that's what I was thinking

[@dopesoull6659]

DeniX 😂😂😂

[@joet8862]

this guy moonwalks to each machine

[@Biggmofo]

Joe T hahaha XD

[@taylorcantly3954]

DeniX Came in to post this. 👊😂

[@nathenwallis5664]

i had actually never heard of him before, so thanks for doing a video on him

[@naldotubo]

his back at 2:00 look so perfect it looks like he has armor

[@countrydawn418]

What impressive chest!

[@MrTurbobuick]

Thanks Nick for highlighting these forgotten body builders. Keep up the good work.

[@vin999cent]

I ve met him and train with him back in 1988 at the WABBA world championishp held in Guadeloupe (FWI) . Despite the fact that he was not competing , but was there as an honor guest ( not posing either), like steeve Reeves that was there also, the guy was absolutly huge, and bigger than any other competitor , he is pretty tall too for a bodybuilder , he believe round 6'1 . James brown is a very good and very pleasant person to meet.

[@skunkusmunkus9385]

James Brown huh

[@koldomakazaga6846]

I love The forgotten bodybuilder series! It reminds me of my youth as a competitor in Spain

[@nicoleschmitz6111]

My husband know him, because he lived in Germany in the 80th in Wuppertal. He trained there in a Gym. His Body was really very balanced and athelic..

[@catyear75]

I remember John Brown! His posing routine at the Olympia was electric; he had the crowd eating it up! He also made a few movies if I'm not mistaken. As to his charges of racism, It could be true. It must be remembered tho, he was competing at the same time as Lee Haney, Albert Beckles, and Tony Pearson. each of them were prominently featured in all the magazines of the day , so....

[@HRourke]

John Brown was also known for his posing. He was one of the 1st bodybuilders to add popping and locking to his routine. Another fact is that he is somewhat responsible for discovering Shawn Ray as a teen and mentoring him as his protoge.

[@ryantfinchum]

for these forgotten bodybuilders that are still alive, have you tried to reach out and possibly interview them? this guy definitely deserves to have his story told!

[@egyptianteenactor3535]

What a body he had ! That small waist and the enermous chest mix . Good video Nick .

[@egyptianteenactor3535]

MosEisleyBlues Thank you

[@TheDennys21]

Holy shit, i didn't know Michael Jackson was lifting.

[@mychalsean]

TheDennys21 michael jackson actually trained with Lou Ferrignou 😂😂😂😂

[@mychalsean]

Yea he really did... lol to be in shape for his last concert. Don't think he actually lifted weights though.

[@mikthe2004]

John was one of my favourites from that era. Unfortunately in the mid 80's he had a training accident, where a bench collapsed and he badly tore his chest and biceps muscles. He still competed after that, but his body was quite disfigured. A fantastic body. Slender framed, but really round pecs, with deep abs. Also a great poser, with many classic shots, and probably the original "break dancing" poser.

[@bbcr11]

Nick- I'm in my mid 50's. Started lifting when I was about 14 in 78. Joined my first gym a few years later at R&J Health Studio in Brooklyn. The gym Lou Ferrigno trained in Pumping Iron. Classic old school gym. Started buying the Bodybuilding magazines back then. The old school Iron Man, Dan Luries Muscle Training Illustrated, Bob Kennedys Muscle Mag , and a few others. These "forgotten bodybuilders" were all featured in almost all those mags. Love watching these videos and remembering the thrill of finding the latest issue of one of those mags with all these guys in them. Keep up the great work! Maybe you could do a video on all the old magazines that were around in the 70's and early 80's that featured these guys. It could explain why some of these guys are forgotten- if you were in the wrong magazine Old Uncle Joe Weider might black ball you! Lol

[@loreljacq5744]

Met him after show Mr Olympia 1981 London I believe I was real young got his and others autograph . Myself and father went. Massive is an understatement.

[@laimonaslb]

I know near enough everyone in this industry, but you really dug deep for this one. Well done, and you're a true man for re-introducing under-rated classic bodybuilders!!!!

[@carpediem5952]

Saw him a few times, back in the day. As a bodybuilder it seemed he never realized his genetic potential and always looked decent but not great. What he was really noted for was his posing/guest posing routines. Pop-Locking, bouncing his muscles, moon walking, etc. In that respect he was exceptional.

[@markorbit4752]

Your channel keeps growing because you are fair, objective , respectful and thoughtful. The world needs that, especially during these turbulent times.

[@chrischardon6621]

Brown was super aesthetic and a master poser. He's the one who originally got Shawn Ray into the game, and also advised him on his posing routines.

[@jkiiroll8474]

This is the meaning of classic physic. Thanks for bring this forgotten bodybuilder.

[@andreym6276]

This guy used to serve as a mentor to Shawn Ray at an early stage of his career. John appeared at one of Shawn's early vids (don't remember it's exact title) when he was prepping for the O. And, also John appeared in Melvin Anthony's video ( I believe it was called "the marvelous') where he gave Melvin along with Shawn ray some tips on posing etc.

[@sugarray29]

Thanks Nick, for reminding people of John Brown. I remember him from back in the 80's. From memory I think he used to compete under Nabba. Well done Nick.

[@whosound]

I remember his posing routines well. He had a lot of fun with it. He would put his finger up in the air then shake his whole body. The audience loved it.

[@Jackmerius_Tacktheritrix5733]

The first bodybuilder with Jheri-Curl

[@caseyclemons8368]

Blinky Pinky Inky and Clyde not in the 80's LoL

[@nicholasedwards649]

Never seen Pumping Iron I presume.

[@xanthromera]

Nick I remember Shawn Ray saying John Brown was one of his heroes growing up. Apparently the guy had a phenomenal grip strength and never used straps when doing heavy back. Also he was well known for his posing routines where he would use props like hats etc..

[@snapperl]

The striations on his muscles are unreal.. Thanks for sharing this.

[@kellykizer6718]

Nick you missed the fact that he also suffered a wicked pec tear. When I was a kid he was on the covers of the muscel mags and he was definitely one of the first that inspired me wide shoulders beautiful chest narrow waist and wide lats. But then he suffered that pec tear and that was the first time I even learned that you could tear your muscels and his symmetry was never the same after that. It looked like someone took and ice cream scooper and scooped out some between his chest and his front delt in his arm pit. Not good.

[@seb246784]

The Black Arnold ;)

[@diogo231]

exactly!

[@iwishiweregay]

how the fuck did you determine his frowning is related to his blackness?

[@cooper482011]

+Dan Burk Economic racism is real racism. John Brown was our "Black Frank Zane". Had John Brown been white in the 1970s lots of bodybuilding fans would know him. Ironically, he has the same full name as the historical John Brown - a white man who hated slavery in America and died to see Black people free.

[@cooliegee]

John Brown is JOHN BROWN! Not Schwarzenegger, Zane, Colombu or Ferrigno allow his record to stand on it's own merit with distinction class and integrity.

[@j5muscle]

Arnold is the white John Brown

[@MrSTAY4545]

I really like how you do these videos. They are very informative and you keep it real!

[@oldskool7300]

One of his greatest strengths was performing on stage he was famous for his routines the crowd would go wild. seen him guest pose he was amazing

[@AjayMeena-lm9uq]

John brown -forgotten hero.... well built physique... there is definitely something different today's bodybuilders and old school bodybuilders... Old school bodybuilders' chest is perfect 👍

[@kevinmiller3019]

I used to see John Brown at the gym training back around 1986 at Needham's Gym in Anaheim, CA. His training partner at the time was Shawn Ray who was just starting to exiled on the bodybuilding scene at that time. John was know to train up for the shows he competed in, not diet down. He was pretty incredible. Not only does his oldest son play at Notre Dame, his middle son, Osirius St. Brown is an incoming freshman wide receiver at Stanford. The youngest son Amon-Ra St. Brown is probably the most gifted receiver of all of the boys. High school senior next season and arguably the top receiver prospect in the country. Crossing my fingers he commits to USC!

[@kevinmiller3019]

*explode not exiled!

[@MrGf1968]

Hey Nick. Great video. John Brown is also the bodybuilder who got Shawn Ray started in the sport and If my memory serves my correctly, I think he also had an early influence on Vince Taylor too.

[@jerrybyfield737]

Nick, you right. I had forgotten about John Brown. He had incredible genetics and should have gotten a lot more publicity. Thanks for the reminder.

[@EricOWilliam]

Born And Raised In Compton Never Heard Of Him And I'm 40 Good Job

[@jameswood6121]

The thickness of muscle back then was just incredible.

[@otto1066]

I saw him guest pose in the UK in the mid 80s..... he used to moonwalk like Michael Jackson Great conditionig even off season

[@heathermckinnon7669]

otto1066 he

[@juniorseda1273]

John Brown also has another son Osiris St. Brown, the younger brother of Equanimeous St. Brown a 4 star receiver from California who just signed with Stanford University as well. Athletics really is in the family DNA!! Amazing!! John Brown really is one of the most underated incredible old school bodybuilders of all time!!

[@quantum12b]

I remember John! Great conditioning and aesthetics :0)

[@redrobot001]

i heard he used to train some ifbb pros. He was known to put them through the ringer.

[@paulhupp4293]

He was Shawn Rays mentor...

[@POTSOJ]

dude the potential of this channel is just insane.

[@TheDanishDuke]

I am guilty of liking your videos before watching them - because I KNOW they are all great ! :D 🤘

[@deanarmstrong8185]

I remember John Brown when I was a kid. Great physique! Tiny joints. Good stuff Nick!

[@RayfieldA]

Was nice to be reminded of him. I haven't seen his pic for about 30 years! His physic kinda reminds me of Serge Nubret! I hope he's doing well these days.

[@krijnnl]

I remember when he was in holland. during these days they took dianabol by the handfull A guy told me that when john took some he also drank some salt water with it. just funny to mention it. keep posting I really enjoy the videos

[@jeremyyap1714]

Wow this guy's amazing. Really wish there was more for him. Imagine how well he would've placed.

[@ScottYoungFitness]

Those muscle bellies are insane!

[@richardordonez8331]

Scott Young that's what I'm saying! how do do get that! Or is it genetic?

[@ScottYoungFitness]

richard ordonez All genetic bro!

[@guidorollard2944]

one of my favorite bodybuilders. He had a great physique.

[@mds2672]

Mondays 1 hour right pec Tuesdays 1 hour left pec Wednesdays 1 hour both pecs don't see how else you could get a chest like that. Can't believe i never heard of this guy before, good vid Nick.

[@michaelbolden4144]

I remember him. You ought to do a story on me. I'm a forgotten Bodybuilder who trained naturally with awesome symmetry in the mid eighties around Craig Monson and Trejo

[@izom]

...it was 83 or 82 dont know- there was a guest star at the austrian championships back then- never heard of that guy john brown!?- we went backstage and looked at him pumping up- we were STUNNED- never saw such a chest and arms with a girlslike waist- BUMM- we ran into the audience hall to watch him pose- he wore small sunglasses and a bathrobe- which he later get rid off- he posed to 2 or 3 crazy songs- we were blown away- next day we try to buy this sunglasses and go straight to the gym- we where motivated for months at least- later met john brown in venice beach in 87- told him the story- he smiled big- never forget !! glad to found out hes alive and doin good....

[@dynastychild]

Total classic physique. Great job on the vids. Always well researched. Always well spoken.

[@kourtneydavis2112]

GREAT BODY BODYBUILDER..HARD WORK PAYS OFF EVERYBODY GOD BLESS..

[@AndreInvests]

Great physique and thanks for the history lesson Nick!

[@timjones8597]

I remember john from compton he went to the same school my brother went too i lived on pearl st in compton John stayed around the conor from us. I saw him grow. From a small skinney dude to the massive hulk he became. John was my body builder hero.

[@naetchboy]

Definitely love learning more about the Mr. Universe guys. Hope you make more!

[@curtisharrell]

Although I really appreciate these videos about old-time 'forgotten' bodybuilders (and the whole 'classic physique' thing) they are not forgotten by me (or my generation). Also, so-called classic physique style training (and the aesthetics that goes with it) is the only kind of bodybuilding we know. Many of us still have our mags from the 70s and 80s which featured these guys, so they're names and careers are still not only well-known to us, but also still fresh in our minds. (I started bodybuilding in 1979). But again, I do enjoy the videos, and the fact that 'we' have not been forgotten, AND that our style of physique is making a comeback.

[@johnbrown5111]

Nice to see a fellow John Brown was a bodybuilder. I will keep our legacy alive!

[@Grimexperience62]

Nick, to me; it's amazing that such a young guy like yourself is the one to dredge these amazing bodybuilders that inspired and amazed me growing up. This was before drugs just took over and allowed mediocre bodybuilders to win competitions. The guys you have featured here were genetic freaks that learned how to train and diet through trial and error. You even featured the great Rory Leidlemyer. I would love to see a video on the Great Tony Pearson!

[@Shelldamage]

The last picture is so classic ..., great!

[@stayinyourlane6432]

He got three sons that are breast on the football field!! All play Wide Recievers.. USC, Notre Dame, and Stanford!! All last name is St. Brown.. Check them out!!

[@Fitness-Fredrik]

Freudian slip? "breast"?

[@brazy321]

Never heard of him but clearly in a class of his own.

[@charlieparker553]

Fun fact. He's actually got 3 sons. ESB will be entering the NFL this May. Middle brother Osiris is also a WR for Stanford and the best prodigy is youngest brother Amon-Ra who is entering college this year.

[@vision6961]

Great post Nick.... There is a great KZbin post with John's posing routine that you can check out on KZbin just go to JOHN BROWN OLYMPIA 85 and Bodybuilder John Brown groovin' on stage.. Keep up the great work Nick!

[@BSFree-es5ml]

Vince Taylor became a bodybuilder after meeting John Brown in Germany. Brown became his coach. Watch John Brown's 1985 using routine, looks like the inspiration for Vince's " Terminator " routine.

[@BangEmBeatZ]

He took Shawn Ray under his wing trained with him also worked on Shawns posing as well as Melvin Anthony and Flex Wheeler

[@3fingervic1]

This dude was not on my radar. What an impressive physique!! Thanks again Nick.

[@chonadams331]

Thanks for the video Nick. This guy was quite popular in former Yugoslavia where I was raised and he was on bunch of covers and posters at this time. Because I still have all the mags of that era I can photo those pics an provide you with some more photos of this great athlete.

[@gregrushin8706]

Dude his chest is an absolute contender for best of all time! I've never seen a chest so rounded...

[@superarms1]

Dude has crazy athletic children. Insane and disciplined

[@riceaesthetics9142]

this guy's subs keep going up.. glad to say im a pre 100k subscriber.. more like back when you had 30k!!!

[@mikeycota5231]

I just heard about John Brown from my husband. He looks like he was amazing. And now his sons too!

[@gaurd3]

You respect the history. It shows in all your videos.

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

John Brown had a niche similar to Tony Pearson -- like Pearson, he had success in duo posing contests with Shelley Gruwell. It took time to add mass to his great upper body shape -- I remember Muscle Builder & Fitness photos where he looked great up close but lean in group shots. He was flamboyant and named his poses. One was "Zip, Zap" and another had a name like "I will love you forever." Something of a character. He has three football star sons -- including Equanimeous Tristan Imhotep J. St. Brown, who's a really good receiver at Notre Dame.

[@LaZanzaraReturn]

Dennis Tinerino, Tom Platz, Sergio Oliva, Danny Padilla, Frank Zane, Lou Ferrigno, Arnold, ecc...ecc... and John Brown. The gold era of IFBB. I was a teenager in that days, but I can remember lot about bodybuilding. And I remember first voices about the truth of use and abuse Steroids...

[@johnmckaskle833]

All I can say is check out this guys posing routines....any of them. Nothing like it before or since. Popping, locking...moon walking...and MUCH MUCH MORE!

[@yad2917]

He has 3 sons. His youngest son, Amon-Ra, is a USC commit and is one of the best high school WRs in the last decade. His middle son plays for Stanford, and his oldest son, who Nick mentions in this video, just got drafted by the Green Bay Packers from Notre Dame.

[@theorpig4925]

Great aesthetics for sure. Never heard of him but great spotlight. Man, he was shredded and big, even had some great legs for back then.

[@hugoleonardoamaral586]

Never heard of him. What an amazing physique, holy shit

[@borgullet3376]

Yes.. Big John was The Man back in the day... Dude had it CRAZY... The "Sting-Ray's" Mentor.

[@kirkharris9055]

Great researching, Nick! He's truly one of the forgotten ones. Have you done one on Tony Pearson yet?

[@guru77771]

Nick John Brown mentored Shawn Ray Vince Taylor and Melvin Anthony and I heard he could bench press 500 pounds.

[@E4T4]

I'm always excited when you upload, thanks for the amazing content

[@zaykiaking5308]

Youngest son plays for usc amon-rah st brown