Tielie: One is creative, one is not, particularly. But what I said was that I didn't know (personally) any current performers that compare to the oldtimers I mentioned. That still "holds." HARRY.

Hi Harry,

I was wondering your thoughts on Creators vs. Great Performers.

I have seen many very fine magicians that just don't create, but beautifully interpret others work or writings.

I read somewhere that Frank Sinatra was considered one of the greatest interpreters of other writers work. Yet he never wrote a song, he was also very instinctive about picking out exactly what brought out the best in himself.
He became legend in his field.

How do you feel about performers who interpret others work exclusively in close up magic?

Do you feel that every performer, especially the very talented, should strive to create?

And, with the level of written material and on video in the last 20 years, is there really any chance in your opinion, that someone could possibly come up with something that is totally new, not an offshoot of others work?

I don't know how many times I came up with something, only to find it in some book, or perhaps it was just stuck in my head?, card magic seems to be one of the most written about subjects in magic.

The Sinatra "syndrome" would seem to work for most close-up magicians. Great performers are not necessarily creators. Of course, that's changed in the music business. Most of the "large" stars write their own stuff. There are, always, exceptions. Julio Inglesia comes to mind.
There many who tell me that their entire close-up act(s) are things from my books. I wrote in another post that one magicina told me he's put together 12 card acts just from PERSONAL COLLECTION. I feel okay about that, as long as my stuff is done well. It isn't always; I saw, not too long ago, three guys, at one magic meeting, louse up my teaching, and presentation. of THE lAZY MAN'S CARD TRICK. And it's such an easy trick to do.
No, I don't think that every performer should necessarily try to create. But, gotta tell you, I don't know of any even moderately successful magician who doesn't throw in some of his own "things," even if it's only personality. Just as a singer does his or her interpretation of someone else's song. When Sammy Davis, Jr. did BIRTH OF THE BLUES, he rocked the house - chandeliers swung - it was marvelous. And he didn't write it. One of Jolson's forever hits was, is, SWANEE. George Gershwin wrote it. And on and on.
Well, there really is very little under the sun that's totally new. I can't think of anything of mine that is. Well, perhaps The Spread Control and The Status Quo Shuffle. I can't think of any "basis" for those. Perhaps one or three others, but that's all.
And re; coming up with this great idea and then finding out that it's already been "come up with" is something I've gone through most of my magic "life." HARRY.

I like that the Sinatra Syndrome.

I understand, in fact I believe you mentioned in another post about young performers coming up too fast, and not much focus on being entertaining.

I keep seeing PERSONAL COLLECTION mentioned in a lot of the posts here, sounds like more outstanding material. I think I will take the magical plunge
and purchase a copy. Hope you have on for me.

Thanks for an interesting reply.

Renzo the swingin' magician, Ring A Ding Ding!

Renzo: INMHO there's no better buy in magic. I'm known for giving MORE than your money's worth. But you'd better let me know definitely so that I can put a copy aside for you. Okay? HARRY.

PMFJIB... Fred Kaps was one of the greatest "performers" yet he rarely ever created any of his effects.