Paul Raymond (Razzle, Mayfair, Men Only, etc) RIP
Discussion
I think I can safely say that we've all cracked one off to the sight of Mr Raymond's lovelies.
'Tis all internet now though. The days of bouffant-haired porn barons are sadly gone.
I suppose that only leaves David Sullivan (Sport Newspapers)
RIP Paul - thanks for the mammaries
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080303/tuk-uk-brit...
LONDON (Reuters) - Paul Raymond, a porn baron who became one of the largest landlords in London's Soho district, has died at the age of 82.
Raymond, who lived his last days in a flat next to the Ritz Hotel, leaves a property fortune estimated at 650 million pounds, the Evening Standard reported on Monday.
His success was founded on the Raymond Revue Bar strip club, opened in Soho in 1958, which got round strict licensing laws by operating as a club.
Later he owned a string of soft-porn magazines including Mayfair, Razzle and Men Only.
In the 1970s he re-invested the profits from his club and magazine empire into property in Soho and west London.
The son of a Liverpool haulage contractor, he left school at 15 and served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War as a bandsman.
He sold nylons and petrol coupons on the side, telling one interviewer years later: "I was a total spiv."
The Revue Bar closed in 2004 and sales of his top-shelf magazines dwindled in the face of internet competition and "lad's mags" like FHM and Loaded.
But his property company continued to prosper, reporting profits of just under 17 million pounds last year.
His daughter Debbie died in 1992 aged 36 from an accidental drugs overdose.
'Tis all internet now though. The days of bouffant-haired porn barons are sadly gone.
I suppose that only leaves David Sullivan (Sport Newspapers)
RIP Paul - thanks for the mammaries
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080303/tuk-uk-brit...
LONDON (Reuters) - Paul Raymond, a porn baron who became one of the largest landlords in London's Soho district, has died at the age of 82.
Raymond, who lived his last days in a flat next to the Ritz Hotel, leaves a property fortune estimated at 650 million pounds, the Evening Standard reported on Monday.
His success was founded on the Raymond Revue Bar strip club, opened in Soho in 1958, which got round strict licensing laws by operating as a club.
Later he owned a string of soft-porn magazines including Mayfair, Razzle and Men Only.
In the 1970s he re-invested the profits from his club and magazine empire into property in Soho and west London.
The son of a Liverpool haulage contractor, he left school at 15 and served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War as a bandsman.
He sold nylons and petrol coupons on the side, telling one interviewer years later: "I was a total spiv."
The Revue Bar closed in 2004 and sales of his top-shelf magazines dwindled in the face of internet competition and "lad's mags" like FHM and Loaded.
But his property company continued to prosper, reporting profits of just under 17 million pounds last year.
His daughter Debbie died in 1992 aged 36 from an accidental drugs overdose.
In my yellow jersey, I went out on the nick.
South Street Romford, shopping arcade
Got a Razzle magazine, I never paid
Inside my jacket and away double quick.
Good sense told me, once was enough
But I had a cocky eye on more of this stuff
With the Razzle in my pocket, back to have another peek
Instead of being sneeky I strolled inside,
I put my thieving hand on something rude
I walked right out with a silhouette of nudes
'Hold on sonny' said a voice at my side
'I think you've taken one of my books'
Passers by gave me dirty looks
'Not me mister' I bravely lied
We stopped by the window of a jeweller's shop
'If it's money for your lunch, I'd have given you a loan
Have you got any form, were you on your own?
Round to the station and we'll tell the cops'
'I'm ever so ashamed, it was wicked and rash
Here's the book back, and here's the cash
I never stole before, I promise I'll stop'
'Crime doesn't pay, you've got honest eyes
If we go to the law another thief is born
And I'll get the book back, creased and torn
So return what you've taken and apologise'
I gave him back his nudie book
I said I was sorry, I slung my hook
With the Razzle in my pocket as the second prize
Lyrics By the often brilliant and always inspiring Ian Dury...
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