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gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hi Pete, great to see you get the spotlight. I read a quick bit somewhere about your father playing Vaudeville, and being one of your big inspirations. What kind of act did your dad do? Magic? Juggler?,..... any nice old stories? Did he travel the country? While I'm digging,.... your mom?,.... partner act? Thanks for taking the time. gallagher.
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Dad was half of the act known as Gaynor and Byron. He used Byron, as Biro was often mispronouncerd (still is) as BirD... They were a roller skating act and were the originators of skating on a raised platform. Dad was the flier and to my knowledge no one ever duplicated their "One foot around the neck spin." You can see a video clip of a similar act on my site, http://www.petebiro.com
The act shown is one that started out in competition with my Dad and he retired, do to an injury. Dad NEVER allowed his act to be filmed. In those days if you were seen in a movie, that killed your career as the bookers would say, "Everyone has seen you," and pass on you. He was the opening act for Ben Blue when he played the Palace Theater in New York, and toured for one year with Olsen and Johnson's Hellzapoppin' considered one of the all-time great funny shows. I wound up being a fairly good roller skater, and worked as an assistant teacher at a rink in Oakland, Calif., where I was born and raised. For various reasons, after I broke my ankle twice in two weeks, and going away in the army, I never returned to the heavy skating schedule I had. I would skate five nights a week and eight hours every Saturday. I did go back to skating a few times doing my magic act on skates. Again, see video clip on my site. My MOM? She came over from Denmark (oh, my dad came from Budapest, Hungary). She came over at age 18 to join "The Six Lucky Girls," a dance act in vaudeville. She was a specialty and comedic dancer. She left the act to marry my dad and they both quit touring and settled in Oakland, where his father lived. I was born with callouses on my hands trying to hold on 'til after they were married for nine months. When I was born my Dad sent the following telegram to friends. "SUITCASE ARRIVED WITH HANDLE."
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Gee you learn something new every day.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
Very interesting family of origin, Pete. Great photos too.
...I always thought you were the kind of guy that simply skates through life! Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
...I I was wrong, of course. You have worked at it , and worked at it very well with some wonderful results!
Keep up the great work! Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
Laszlo Csizmadi Special user From Hell 868 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-23 13:48, Pete Biro wrote: Your family name realy common in Hungary (it mean Judge). Best, Las |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Sorry, no... my family name was BAFIA... my Grandfather, when he lived in New York, changed it because guys started to call him MAFIA... so, yes, he changed it to JUDGE. Thanks. Wish I was related to Mr. Biro of the ball point pen invention.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hey Pete, thanks for taking the time. Gosh, such stories make my blood rush faster. Don't know why. I guess it's kinda like seeing where we're coming from,.... the great ones before us. Keeps us kind of on the ground.
thanks, gallagher |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Right.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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