Bobby Hansson is an artist, musician, biker, sculptor, photographer, furniture maker, veteran dumpster diver, recycler, author, and (legend has it) stunt man and bodyguard for a team of female wrestlers too. He knew Anais Nin and worked with Nin’s husband, Hugo, on art film projects, and worked extensively with artist Jose de Creeft on documentary films and photos.
And, in the 1970s and 1980s, he was also a photographer for several men’s magazines in New York – taking pictures of many of the adult film stars and events that took place. He was a regular on the scene, dated Annie Sprinkle, and married Dian Hanson (who ended up keeping his name).
Hansson is a wild and wooly character; an intensely creative man, he is highly intelligent and educated – and though he constantly re-invented himself, he had had a long, successful career photographing art.
In recent years, Bobby has experienced health issues and is now living in a nursing home in New York.
A few weeks ago, The Rialto Report was contacted by his family offering us his photographs from the adult film years. At the bottom of one of the boxes, we found photo proofs relating to three adult industry events from the early 1980s: the New York premiere of Gary Graver’s ‘Coed Fever’ (1980), the New York premiere of Anthony Spinelli’s ‘High School Memories’ in 1981, and a film awards evening from 1983. Though the pictures are damaged and low quality, they show a unique side of the industry at the time.
We’re pleased to present a selection of these previously unseen photos below.
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‘Coed Fever’ (1980) premiere, Pussycat Theater, New York (October 1980) with Annie Ample:
Ron Sullivan (Henri Pachard), Helen Madigan, Marc Stevens, Jamie Gillis, Dian Hanson
Vanessa Del Rio, Lysa Thatcher, Sue Nero
Gloria Leonard (and Lysa Thatcher on left)
Marc Stevens, Marlene Willoughby, George Payne
Sue Nero, Samantha Fox, Marc Stevens, Vanessa Del Rio
Jill Monroe, and fan
Dian Hanson, Per Sjostedt, Candida Royalle
Peter Wolff (editor of Bachelor, Dude, Topper, Caper, High Society, Partner et al), Annie Ample, Dian Hanson, Marc Stevens
‘High School Memories’ New York premiere, Pussycat Theater, May 1981:
Annette Haven arrives
(from left to right) Annette Haven, Michael Placenti (graphic design / artist for men’s magazines), Michael Evans, photographer Peter Hurd
Jamie Gillis, Peter Hurd (photographer for High Society, Partner et al), Annette Heinz
Marlene Willoughby poses by the poster for ‘High School Memories’ (1980)
Marc Stevens and Jill Monroe arrive
Marc Stevens and Jill Monroe disrobe
Ron Jeremy (and Ugly George on far right – “Truth, Sex, Violence”)
Adult film awards ceremony, New York, May 1983:
Ron Sullivan (aka Henri Pachard)
(from left to right) Gloria Leonard, unknown, Erica Eaton, Rick Marx
Press and audience
Michael Evans, Gerard Damiano (and Bunny Atlas on far right)
Peter Wolff (editor of Bachelor, Dude, Topper, Caper, High Society, Partner et al), Peter Hurd (photographer for High Society, Partner et al)
(From left to right) Larry Revene, Gloria Leonard‘s daughter Robin (seated), and Chuck Vincent editor Diane Bucci (standing)
Colette Connor (editor of men’s magazines), Richard Milner (director of ‘Centerfold Fever’ (1981)), Steve Kraus (Midnight Blue Television field producer) with unknown photographer
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Bobby Hansson
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Once again another super photo essay. Thanks goodness that these priceless artifacts have been preserved.
Never heard of Bobby Hansson before – but I love these pictures! This is the history of the golden age being reborn before our eyes… 30, 40 years later. Never thought I’d see this sort of thing.
Anything else of interest found in the boxes?
Yes – Fox. We’re sorting through the contents and will be featuring more photographs in an upcoming feature. Thanks for your comments.
Cool to see lesser known faces (Bill Slobodian, Michael Evans, Bunny Atlas!) all there as well as the established ‘names’. #keepthemcoming
Lovely and vital time capsule.
Any chance the reclusive Dian
Hanson will surrender and talk?
Much to hear, there. And so much
to learn. The best tales are the
truest. And SHE knows. Do the
rest of us REALLY want to know?
Trust Ashley’s judgement and
the RR podium to deliver. Hope you
can help them to decide…in
history’s favor, as the sands run out…
lots of beautiful women. love seeing these pictures.
So great. Enjoyed it immensely. How wonderful to see everyone so vibrant and healthy. One big happy dysgunctional family.
the good old days …..
Great photos of a time long gone. I think the unknown blonde with Peter Wolff, Dian Hanson & Marc Stevens might be Annie Ample. She was a stripper & model. I look forward to visiting The Rialto Report each and every week.
Hi Perry,
Thanks for this – our best guess was Annie Ample as well. We have now had this confirmed by others as well. I have added this to the photo caption.
Thanks for the kind comments!
I don’t think Vanessa Del Rio ever got the credit for being the natural beauty she was. There is no plastic surgery there and botox wasn’t around. Vanessa was just naturally beautiful. Where has the time gone? a lot of people in those photos are now dead
You’ve got people very nicely identified. Here’s a few more:
High School Memories premiere set, second one down: Michael Evans, Cheri magazine editor, is in this shot too, in light colored shirt.
In photo of Erica Eaton at the Adult film awards ceremony: guy holding award: Rick Marx
In photo of Richard Milner at the Adult film awards ceremony: guy with glasses in foreground: Steve Kraus, Midnight Blue Television Field Producer.
John – as usual we bow to your unparalleled knowledge, memory and records.
All the above photo captions have now been updated.
Many thanks!
Hi John.
I’ve been a big fan for a number of years. Are you planning a book, and if not – I’d love to read or hear a retrospective about you life on this fine site.
Thanks for the memories!
Excellent photos! I second the idea of getting Dian Hanson (who I never heard of before) to share her memories of the day. And oh my god, why had the people who ran the adult industry never try to persuade Diane Bucci to act in one of their movies? What a looker!
Thanks for sharing, Ashley!
Great photos from a long gone era. I look forward every week it see whats new at The Rialto Report! The unknown blond in the photo with Peter Wolff, Dian Hanson & Marc Stevens might be stripper & model Annie Ample.
The pics w Jamie are me not Dorothy. Thanks for the memories 🙂
Unreserved apologies to you Annette! Our intern has been taken out of Rialto Towers and shot.
We will not make the same mistake again.
How’s your eagerly anticipated book coming along? We look forward to it.
Annette!!! How about an interview with you on The Rialto Report?!
I’ll wager you have stories to tell….
Please?!
I agree – Annette, let’s hear from you too. You’re always one of my favorites…
Annette Heinz – of the jet black hair, but equally Beautiful in platinum. Love seeing those. Miss you!
~ Legstricity
Fantastic – I have on my Fetlife photo page many of the people in your photos, who are also friends.
In the June 1980 – I became The Club Masseur at an Upscale Couples Club.
Thank you for bringing back an wild crazy era.
Thanks Donnie!
And for those who want to see the Felife photos, please login at https://fetlife.com/
Donnie, are you Donni of Paddles?
I thought so, Annette, the moment I saw those two shots!
A beautiful and even poignant trip into the past… when innocence and sex seemed to go hand in hand. The Rialto is creating a real body of documentary work that is saving this great period. I wish you well and hope you never stop.
Man. the east coast scene in the early 80’s was quite a scene!
Very cool.
What a poignant glimpse into the past. This was back when porn stars looked like real people. How times have changed.
I couldn’t have said it better, each one of those NY 70’s/80’s porn stars had their own natural look and they all looked great. You had Latin (the amazing Del Rio) many were Jewish Samantha Fox, G. Leonard etc. There was something for every fan. They all have attractive natural faces and a distinct look
Compare that to the train wrecks you have today, I call it the Jenna Jameson effect, fake bleached blonde hair, heavy makeup, nose job, botox and crap in their lips. Add a bunch of tattooed and you have todays cookie cutter porn stars.
Thank you for loving us as we really were 🙂
I think Samantha Fox and Gloria Leonard are/were both Italian/Catholic…
Correction:
Upon further research, it appears only Samantha Fox is Italian; Gloria Leonard married an Italian.
Gloria was jewish.
Samantha is Polish and Scottish, not Italian.
I love this! I love this website so much. I cry every time I’m here. The memories and a time that’s lost and the memories it triggers.
Great to see Vanessa Sue and Lisa again…Hot women!!