Australian wrestler Norman Lowndes has passed away in Florida at the age of 83. Lowndes had lived in the USA for many years.
Lowndes began his ring career as Murphy the Surfie on the Sydney club circuit. He graduated to Jim Barnett‘s World Championship Wrestling promotion where he became known as Murphy the Magnificent and was managed by American worker Playboy Gary Hart.
Norman wrestled in Britain as Maurice LaRue and Wild Red Berry.
Lowndes gained much success in North America as Norman Frederick Charles III teaming with fellow Aussie Lord Jonathan Boyd in the tag team of the Royal Kangaroos.
I will post again when I return from a wrestling tour (as a tour manager, ring announcer and commentator) in Outback Queensland.
RIP Norman
Saw him vs Steve Veidor. KO'd in round two. Not impressive.
RIP, I remember him over here as Wild Red Berry, "managing" Big Jim Harris.
He was a mainstay of Stu Hart's Stampede promotion in Canada and wrestled the British lads who were there at the time. Dynamite Kid mentioned him tagging with the Cuban Assassin.
I notice that you have included earlier comments of mine on your tribute page so will not repeat them apart from to say that this larger than life personality, some eighteen years my senior, made a tremendous impact upon me. I recall that he was billed to wrestle Les Kellett one Saturday afternoon but there was industrial action in Granada land so, although the show was broadcast in other regions, it was not shown up north. I would have loved to have seen that clash. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.
We have now added a tribute to Maurice LaRue
Majestic Magnificence
I can only find Maurice La Rue here in 1970. I did actually see him at Belle Vue
RIP
As an aside Street v Faulkner stole the show that night. A mate of mine recently said this was the best bout he ever saw
In the Who's Who of Wrestling, so that automatically gives Maurice La Rue status.
Magnificent Maurice was much much taller.
Once again I have to question you Main Mask: did Maurice La Rue really tag quite a bit with Bobby Barnes? That is a big surprise to me.
RIP to a Name from the golden years.
Shaun Arnott was Colonel Brody, and also wrestled as Magnificent Maurice, not the same as Maurice LaRue/Norman Lowndes. I saw Maurice La Rue at the Floral Hall, Southport, on his UK visit. I wasn't impressed, but no less sad news. Thanks Ed.
Yes-think he was also COLONEL BRODY-A Total Polar Opposite to his LA RUE Character! As MAURICE
he also Tagged quite a bit with BOBBY BARNES after ADRIAN STREET left JOINT!
His Ring Personae were certainly Varied and Interesting!
What's happening just lately?-YET ANOTHER Bell Tolls!
MAIN MASK
RIP Norman, had a long career and travelled to a lot of places. Will put some photos up.