“Writings by Gordon Solie,”
a selection of personal short stories and prose penned by the legendary
broadcaster has now been introduced on the Amazon Kindle Store.
Gordon Solie demonstrated
his mastery of words as an award winning broadcaster in both radio and
television in addition to stellar performances at live sporting events. Hailed as the greatest
commentator during the "Golden Age of Wrestling," and the best ever
by many, Solie wooed millions of television viewers with his unique vocabulary
and eloquent play-by-play coverage.
Along with his prowess at
the microphone, Solie was an accomplished journalist, constantly writing
newspaper columns, promotional pieces for auto racing and wrestling along with
bios for famous athletes.
"Writings by Gordon
Solie” spans topics such as: stories from the road when he traveled with a
dare-devil thrill show; divorce; his involvement with stock car racing; his
experiences with professional wrestling that led to his induction into the WWE,
WCW and NWA Hall of Fame; a robbery in a parking lot; death, lines on human
faces; aging; victory; champions; hope and a plethora of other subjects.
In the 1970s, Solie wrote
"One Week from Rome" which depicts how America can be destroyed from
within. Later, Solie penned "A Fairy Tale" which parallels the demise
of America's most prominent wrestling promotions.
During the late 1960s and
early 1970s, Gordon Solie became a regional icon as host of Florida's number
one television program, "Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF),"
a show which was syndicated in markets up and down the US Eastern seaboard. By
the late 1970s, Gordon Solie was seen worldwide via satellite as host of the
top rated show on WTBS, "Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW)." In
the early 1980s, Gordon Solie had an estimated viewing audience of over twelve
million viewers a week including the Florida and Georgia programs.
Along the way, Solie
crossed paths with some of the greatest legends to ever grace the mats,
athletes like Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George; Buddy Rogers; Bruno Sammartino; Hulk
Hogan; Ric Flair; Antonio Rocca; Freddie Blassie; El Santo; Terry and Dory
Funk; Dusty Rhodes; Andre the Giant; Verne Gagne; Ted DiBiase; Jerry Lawler;
Antonio Inoki; Giant Baba; Roddy Piper; Bob Backlund; Johnny Valentine; Harley
Race; Jack Brisco; Sting; Jushin Liger; Mick Foley; "Macho Man" Randy
Savage and countless others.
Known as an innovative man,
Gordon Solie was the first to bring a Grand National NASCAR race to Tampa, the
first to bring Figure-8 racing to Florida, the first wrestling announcer to be
seen worldwide, the first non-wrestler to do the "Hotseat Interview"
and the first non-wrestler inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame.
Dubbed by
"Entertainment Tonight" as the "Walter Cronkite of
Wrestling" and as "The Dean of Professional Wrestling
Announcers" by the industry, Solie earned a spot among
America's elite broadcasters.
