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Jason London Loyal user Napa Valley 207 Posts |
Hi, JC:
For the last 15 years of Jerry's life, I spent many, many hours with him. He not only taught me a lot about magic and bar magic, but how to entertain an audience. He shared a lot of great stories about you and he at Magic Island. Everytime your name would come up, he would always say how much he missed hanging out with you at the bar. I know you were both very close friends. Jerry taught me, many years ago, Polish Marked Deck. I remember when he first showed me the effect it completely floored me. I still use this routine all the time. I wanted to know if you had any favorite stories you could share about your time spent with Jerry? Before Jerry passed away, he gave me a stainless steel shaker chop cup that he was planning on marketing to bar magicians. Did you ever get a chance to see one? If not, let me know and I can email you a picture of it. Thanks for your time, JC! Sincerely,
Jason London
This space for rent |
Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
JC,
I too would be interested in hearing any stories or thoughts you might have about Jerry Camaro. Jerry and I were not only close, but I considered him to be the best friend I ever had. When Jerry left us (much too early) I felt a part of me vanish as well. Jerry taught me not only the unique art of doing magic behind a bar, but mostly and more importantly, WHY we do magic to begin with. I have fond memories of driving to Santa Rosa and spending special time with Jerry on many occasions. When I was unable to make the trip, Jerry would travel to my part of the country and stay a few days with my wife Mya and I. Then of course there were the road trips we took together and the many conventions when we would share a room to save on cash. All of these times were very special moments in my life and I shall never forget them. That said, one of Jerry's special qualities (there were many), were the stories he would tell us. Some were outrageously funny, while others served a particular purpose, such as leading up to a special move he was about to demonstrate, explaining who had taught him, etc. I have to tell you that many of those stories always had the name J.C.Wagner included, and ALWAYS in an extremely positive light. It was obvious that Jerry not only admired you and your magic, but considered you a friend. I can tell you from personal experience that Jerry never took friendship lightly. If you were his friend, he would take a bullet for you. If he didn't like you, he wasn't afraid to tell you so. In that light, you can see why Jason and I are more then curious about you and Jerry. Thanks in advance JC.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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JCWagner 1944 - 2010 100 Posts |
Jason and Steve,
Jerry Camaro ("...like the car", he would always say with a smile) was a Great person and personality - I miss him alot! He passed way much too early, which still bothers me! We first met in 1980 in San Diego at my Magic Lounge. He was comming from Florida where he had worked with another friend of mine, Dan Thomas, who is in San Deigo now and has a resturant called The Gathering. He has Magic there Wednesday thru Saturday nights. I liked Jerry the first time we met and he liked me. He had away about him that you really liked. He could make you laugh with a joke or a quick remark. His magic was very good. He selected his effects well to suit his personality and style. He did the Dice stack very well. Jerry took me completely in when he produced the Jumbo die under the cup! He had already loaded it in the Cup as he was pretending to pick up the dice from the bar and place them in the cup to stack them again. He would, as he was swinging the cup, shoot them into his left hand and it looked like they were going back into the cup. It completely took me by surprise! I had never seen that before, and having done the dice stack for over 15 years! I use it to this day and it Kills! He sent his bottom deal tape down to me, it was very good too. He was working on the bottom deal at Magic Island in 1983-84. He made some improvements and it turned out very good. I recommend it highly. It is a workable method you can use at any time. I hope that gives both you and the Members of The Magic Café', an idea of how I felt about my friend, Jerry Camaro. Miss you Buddy! Best, J.C.
Check out my magic here.
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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Thanks a million for sharing those memories with us JC!
Regarding Jerry's bottom deal tape, I'm assuming you mean UP FROM THE BOTTOM (a tape that Jerry produced himself in Santa Rosa) and NOT the later one that Mike Maxwell at A-1 Magicalmedia slapped together. Jerry was indeed good at dealing from the cellar, and it is his technique that I use to this day.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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JCWagner 1944 - 2010 100 Posts |
Steve, It's the one he did himself.
Best, J.C.
Check out my magic here.
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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Very good, that's the better of the two.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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Dan McLean Inner circle Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur 1261 Posts |
Jerry Camaro was the closest person I had to a brother. We spent many years in San Diego together and would periodically visit later. Life is not nearly as interesting with him gone. I quit magic when he left this planet - just wasn't that much fun anymore - and have only recently returned.
I'm tempted to tell the denture's story, a bizarre stunt he and another well known Café poster used to do at magic conventions, but probably better not. One thing not everyone knew about Jerry was he was an expert in Carnese, the carney talk. He taught it to me but I was never able to do it with ease he had. That well known Café poster, by the way, was also an expert. Love listening to them carry on conversations. If you ever see me, ask me how Jerry would pull up his socks when he worked behind the bar. Dan McLean P.S. Hi JC - Looking good. My god, we're still above ground. How is it possible? |
Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Dan,
I'm sure Paul wouldn't mind.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The August 2005 entrée: J.C. Wagner » » Jerry Camaro » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) |
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