Let’s all do a few pushups in memory of Jack!
Here’s LaLanne and his ’05 Corvette. Did Jack test the Corvette’s performance capability? You betcha!
If you are a baby-boomer like me and remember black & white TV, there’s no way you could have missed Jack LaLanne. So, it was especially sad to see another cultural icon of Post WW II America pass away. (David Nelson, member of the Nelson family of TV’s “The Ozzy & Harriet Show” died January 11, 2011) Jack passed at his home in Morro Bay, California of respiratory failure due to pneumonia. LaLanne was 96 years young.
What immediately came to my mind when I read the news were grainy TV images of an effervescent, enthusiastic, guy with a very narrow waist, very broad shoulders, and big arms, exercising as if he could do that all day, every day, and LOVE every minute of it!
What most of the public didn’t know about LaLanne was that he was a passionate car lover with a long affection for Corvettes. LaLanne was on board with Corvettes right from the beginning. Jack owned four Corvettes during his life, including a ‘53, 97 Coupe, and the above Magnetic Red ‘05 Coupe. He also owned lots of other interesting, exotic cars, but claimed that he liked Corvettes the best.
In the May 2007 issue of VETTE Magazine, senior associate editor, Christopher Phillip, interviewed LaLanne. In the interview, Jack expressed his passion for fast cars. Since the LS2 ‘05 Corvette was good for at least 175-mph, I couldn’t help but imagine 92-year old LaLanne getting pulled over on Pacific Coast Highway by a CHIPS officer for speeding. Imagine the surprise from the officer when he would have discovered the man doing an excess of 160-mph was not only a 92-year old senior citizen, but none other that JACK LALANNE! Jack didn’t own up to any encounters with the law, but it’s an amusing thought.
Below are the links to the delightful VETTE Magazine interview with Jack LaLanne.
LaLanne got turned on to fitness after seeing a lecture by nutritionist, Paul Bragg. Jack was so pumped by Bragg’s talk that he spent an hour and a half afterwards with Bragg. LaLanne grew up to become a sugar addict, to which Bragg told the young LaLanne, “Jack you’re a walking garbage can!” Obviously, LaLanne took Bragg’s advice to heart and the rest is history.
Alright, settle down gals, SETTLE DOWN! Jack was a happily married man.
Thanks to LaLanne (and Bragg) millions of Americans learned the virtues of eating clean, organic fruits and vegetables, a vegetarian diet, exercise, enthusiasm, and passion for life. LaLanne had a long list of successful accomplishments in his life. You can add marriage to that list, as Jack and Elaine LaLanne were married 51 years and together for 57 years. His love and affection for his wife is quite obvious in the VETTE interview.
In the interview, Jack gave us the following advice.
“Be young. Keep yourself young by having a good, sporty car like a Corvette. It keeps you on your toes. It keeps you young. It keeps you thinking young. It keeps you thinking modern and good things. Corvette is a modern, modern automobile.
Just be proud of that car and take good care of it. Make sure you change the oil and you keep it shined and keep it clean all the time. To me, that’s your personal property. That’s part of you. Be proud of the Corvette, and it will do things for you.”
Here’s the LaLanne story from MSNBC.com…
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41225595/ns/us_news-life/
I’m going to do some push ups now. Do a few for Jack! – KST
PS – If Jack LaLanne touched your life, use the “Leave a Reply” box below and let us know how.
The outpouring of love and affection for this man has been extraordinary. What comes through loud and clear is that he was the REAL DEAL. A true inspiration to everyone. Here are some classic Jack LaLanne videos. Enjoy!
What Jack lacked in pipes, he sure made up for in heart.
How many times have we all heard people complain about being tired? Here’s Jacks remedy.
Can’t stay away from sweets? Here’s Jack’s solution.
Want to be a champion? Here’s Jack’s formula.
