Aerosmith

My Next Overcoming the Odds Article is not on a Person but rather a Band.  Most of everybody who is aware of Pop Culture has heard the Name Aerosmith.  Along with Kiss and Led Zeppelin, they are one of my top three Favorite bands.  Although they started to get a little too commercial in the late 90s, their influence on me is still prevalent today.  Their Musical Style, which is blues-based Hard Rock has incorporated various styles over the years including Heavy Metal, Pop, Alternative, Soul and Rhythm and Blues.  In addition, they continue influencing succeeding generations.  However, Aerosmith's ride has not always been a smooth one.  The Bands History which spans over 40 years has many elements of Drug Abuse, Alcohol, Band Member Breakups, Fights, Financial Ruin, Divorce and much more.  In the 1970s, Aerosmith became a Household Name among the Rock Scene.  "Sweet Emotion" and "Dream On" were being played on Radios Coast to Coast.  However, behind the scenes, the Drug Abuse and Fighting began to take over.  Eventually, Guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford woud leave the band to pursue Solo Projects.  After their departure, Aerosmith not only experienced declining Popularity but various personal problems.  Steven Tyler's Drug Abuse began to take over his life and he eventually Passed out on Stage.  Of course, Everyone in the band including the Former Members at the time Joe Perry and Brad Whitford were abusing.  In addition, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry's Marriages would come to an end.  However, people in the Music Business wanted to put the band back together for future Success.  They did when Aerosmith Reunited and then performed a Rock/Rap Version of "Walk This Way" with Run DMC introducing the Band to a New Generation and Different Audiences.  Back in the spotlight, the members of Aerosmith focused on Cleaning up the Drugs and Alcohol and most would for a short period of time.  Nevertheless, they produced Successful Albums in the late 1980s and 1993's "Get A Grip" made them Superstars and proved they could Survive the Test of Time.  On into the late 90s, they had Superhit with "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing".  Not my favorite song but proved they could last.  Aerosmith's success continued with Tourings and Recordings into the 21st  Century.  However, there were still problems.  Tensions among the Band Members that were prevalent 30 years earlier were still there.  Joe Perry and Steven Tyler had different views about the Direction of the Band and had Sparring Words in the Media towards each other.  One accusation even implied Steven Tyler was leaving the band.  In addition, addictions would reappear among members.  Drummer Joey Kramer entered rehabilitation again in the 90s.  Steven Tyler went to rehab again in 2009 for abuse of prescription meds.  Nevertheless, the Members did not Break up and persevered and produced another album in 2012 and are still Touring Today.

Aerosmith is about Overcoming the Odds of Life Whether Addictions, Personal Turmoil or the Threat of Staying Relevant in Changing Times.  While I dont like some of their commercial moves of the past 10 years (ex. Jamming with NSYNC and Britney Spears at Super Bowl), I still honor them as one of my Favorites and one of the Forerunners of Hard Rock.  I enjoyed seeing them in 2012 with Cheap Trick.  I wouldnt mind seeing them one more time before they retire.  Still hate I missed their Double tour with Kiss in 2003 Oh Well!!

 Walk This Way!!!

Arnold Schwarzenegger

My next Overcoming the Odds Article is on someone whose name is one of the Most Recognizable the World Over.  Arnold Schwarzenegger has been known as a Bodybuilder, Actor, Governor, Businessman, Writer, and so Much More.  However, when one gets to know just who 'Arnold' really is and where he came from one can really appreciate the odds he Overcame in his Life.  Coming from a low income family in Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger always strove to be successful.  Arnold's father was extremely hard on him and favorited his older son over Arnold.  Anxious to prove himself to his father and others, Arnold pursued athletics and then got into bodybuilding. Schwarzenegger was the recipient of what he considers 'child abuse'.  He claims his Father would pull his hair and hit him with belts.  One of Arnold's Brothers died in a car accident while drinking and driving.  A year later, his own father would die.   Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian Army in the 1960's while competing in Bodybuilding contests and even winning the Junior Mr. Europe contest.  Arnold came to the United States in 1968 not speaking very much English.  He had always dreamed of coming to the United States and saw Bodybuilding as a way to do so.  To this day, Arnold Schwarzenegger is considered on the most iconic and important figures in Bodybuilding and his legacy is commemorated every year with the annual Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition.

In 1970, at the young of 23, Arnold Won Mr. Olympia and would capture that title a total of seven times.  Arnold would eventually receive a BA from University of Wisconsin-Superior.  This was after taking English Classes at Santa Monica College in California.   LA Weekly would at one point say that Schwarzenegger is the most famous immgrant in America, who "overcame a thick Austrian accent and transcended the unlikely background of bodybuilding to become the biggest movie star in the world in the 1990s." Arnold's breakthrough in the film industry came with Conan the Barbarain which would have a sequel Conan the Destroyer.  However, in 1984 Arnold played the role of the character that many would consider his 'signature role'  in The Terminator.  To this day, people still say Quotes from his Movie even though it came out 31 years ago.  Some other notable roles for Arnold besides the sequels to Terminator include: Predator, Raw Heat, Twins, Kindergarten Cop, True Lies, Jingle All the Way, The Expendables 1,2, and 3, and of course Pumping Iron.  

And of Course, Arnold's Career in Politics certainly solidified him as a 'Renaissance Man.'  While he had campaigned for politicians before, Arnold would serve as the chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports being nominated under then President George H.W. Bush.  As the 1990s came to a close, Arnold considered running for office.  In 2003, he announced his Candidacy for Governor of California and would win serving two terms.

Arnold Schwarzenegger OVERCAME THE ODDS of a Strict Low-Income Upbringing and coming to the United States without speaking much English by Mastering the Language, Getting An Education, Becoming a Pioneer in the Sport of Bodybuilding, Becoming a Film Icon and Becoming a Governor.  That's a True American Dream Right There!!!

Lou Ferrigno

My next OVERCOMING THE ODDS article is on Bodybuilding Legend and Actor Lou Ferrigno best known for playing 'The Incredible Hulk'.  When Lou was a child, he lived a life of seclusion due to severe hearing loss.  Not long after he was born, Ferrigno suffered a series of ear infections and lost 75 to 80% of his hearing.  It was until he was three that he was diagnosed with deafness.  As a young child, Ferrigno experienced shyness and difficulty forming relationships with other people.  A fan of the Hercules films, Lou fascinated about transforming his body into a muscular physique that he saw on Television, Movies and in Comic Books.  When Ferrigno picked up his first barbell as a skinny kid, I'm sure he never imagined the impact he would have on the sport of Professional Bodybuilding.  Early in his Bodybuilding career, Ferrigno won IFBB Mr. America and IFBB Mr. Universe.  In fact, he won Mr. Universe twice in a row.  At age 23, he was one of the youngest people to enter the Mr. Universe contest.  Ferrigno was showcased in the infamous Bodybuilding film Pumping Iron.  After 17 years away from the sport, Ferrigno returned to Bodybuilding in the 1992 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Finland. He placed 12th the first year and 10th the next.  He then turned to the 1994 Masters Olympia.  Even though he didnt Win, he proved one could make a decent comeback to the sport after such a long hiatus.

Of course, one cannot underscore Lou Ferrigno's influence on Movies and Pop Culture.  In 1977, Ferrigno was cast in 'The Incredible Hulk' as the Hulk.  To this date, he has over 20 feature films to his credit including Cage One and Two, Hercules, Sinbad, the Seven Seas and of course Pumping Iron.  In the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk, Lou voiced the 'Hulk' and even made cameo appearances in the film.

Lou Ferrigno is still in great shape today and along with his former Workout Partner Arnold Schwarzenegger is regarded as one of the most influential people in Professional Bodybuilding.  He still makes appearances at Mr

. Olympia and still has a Large Following.  

Lou Ferrigno.  There will never be another.  He was diagnosed with a condition as a child that threatened to ostracize him from certain elements of society.  However, he OVERCAME THE ODDS by excelling at Working his body and by having an influence on Pop Culture by playing 'The Incredible Hulk.'