PENTHOUSE SWEET: A Tribute to Bob Guccione

The realm of adult entertainment grieves the loss of magazine mogul and xxx pioneer Bob Guccione. His skin empire set the precedence for countless knock off publications, movie productions and signature toy lines. Adapting to Hugh Hefner’s brainchild of catering to a specific demographic; Guccione’s answer to the sophisticated, slick society was pushing the perversion envelope. Penthouse was born in England in 1965.

Centerfolds nick named Penthouse Pets (Guccione’s version of Hefner’s Playboy Playmates) boasted a soft, unfocused photographed look derived from his artistic painting experience. Operating on a shoestring, he often under took the photography tasks himself. He was the first to illustrate female pubic hair, exposed vulva and anus. Like wildfire, the nudie rag spread, creating its North American market in 1969. Aptly enough, the hippy generation was promoting peace and free love. Penthouse was a welcome distraction from G.I. Blues and coping with the Vietnam war.

The peace, love and anti-war era proved to be highly lucrative time for Guccione. Soon he owned the largest private residence in Manhattan boasting 27 000 square feet. Bob’s home hosted numerous parties although completely different from the wild soirees in the legendary Playboy mansion. He preferred a serene atmosphere. Once he reportedly ejected a guest for simply diving into the pool fully clothed.

Where the swinging sixties wound down, the sexploitation seventies kicked into high gear. Again Guccione embarked upon innovation and produced the highly controversial film Caligula, a tale about the depraved lifestyle of the Roman’s. The Hollywood big budget feature carried a cast of well known actors such as Malcolm McDowell and Peter O’Toole. The film was deemed as far too graphic for American audiences, given an x-rating and banned in many states. Many adult stars and starlets of today are able to make the cross over into mainstream entertainment as a result of Mr. Bob Guccione simply paving the road to get there.

Making international headlines once again, fully nude, unauthorized photos were published of newly crowned Miss America Vanessa Williams. The pagent’s strict policy forced Williams to reliquish her title citing the explicit photos were conflict of interest to the pagent’s wholesome image. Debate still initiates to this day that Williams may not have seen such a plateau of fame if it were not for the Penthouse photo spread.

1984 also sparked the flame that would eventually blaze beyond epic proportion with yet more unauthorized, pre-fame nude photos of pop music newcomer Madonna. Yes before there was Truth or dare, prior to Like a Prayer, even pre-Like a Virgin there were nude photos spreads of Madonna. One has to ponder if this edition was consequential in unleashing a future societal sex icon.

By the time the nineties arrived, Penthouse was observed as having its first era of profit loss. Speculation can only be offered this is due by and large to the introduction of the internet. Bob Guccione eventually sold his enterprise to individual shareholders. In ceremonious fashion he once again created the dawn of a new era being the first North American publication to show full penetration and fetish content such as urination and ejaculate facials.

As we celebrate our liberated sex and sexuality, express our unique preferences and play, its paramount to give proper credit to the Larry Flynts, the Hugh Hefners and of course the Bob Gucciones that opened a world of pleasure and bliss we would not experience quite the same without their visions and gestures.

It is true we have lost an innovator and pioneer in Bob Guccione to lung cancer two months shy of his 80th birthday. I encourage you, grieve not his passing but celebrate the love and freedom he’d given and never pass up the chance to spread the pleasure.

Bob was married three times and is survived by his two children Tonia and Bob Jr.

Bob Guccione also founded Omni, Viva, Longevity and Spin Magazine. He began Penthouse Forum and internationally famous Penthouse letters.

Numerous adult starlets have gotten their break through by Penthouse or it enhanced their career to epic proportion by posing as Penthouse Pets including: Taylor Wane, Dyanna Lauren, Nikki Tyler, Rocki Roads, Samantha Phillips, Nikita, Vicca, Silvia Saint, Tera Patrick, Sunny Leone, Brianna Banks, Ava Vincent, Jenna Jameson, Stormy Daniels, Jessica Jaymes, Kayden Kross, Audrey Bitoni, Kagney Linn Karter, Nikki Benz, Isis Taylor, Phoenix Marie among countless others.

The following had this they wished to express in tribute of Bob Guccione: