|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4 [Next] | ||||||||||
Yannou Veteran user 381 Posts |
Not magic, but the greatest performer I ever saw was Freddy Mercury. Everything about him communicated that he was there for YOU, the audience, and that he loved every minute of it. No need for a bunch of dancers or big props to fill the stage, as so many other performers. He was able to fill the whole stage on his own.
|
|||||||||
noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
Old School: Jay Marshall, Fred Kaps, Billy McComb, Johnny Thompson, Amazing Ballantine. Middle School: Penn and Teller, Mac King, Fielding West, Michael Finney, Mark Korhauser, Hobson, Steve Spill, Paul Harris, Daryl, Kozak. Gen X: Dan Sperry, Shoot Ogawa, Daniel Garcia, Wayne Houchin, Andrew Golderhersh.
|
|||||||||
olaf911 Regular user Germany 104 Posts |
For me it was and probably forever will be Paul Daniels with his chop cup routine. Simple props and pure magic. Even today I watch this over and over again with delight.
|
|||||||||
Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Without a doubt, one of the most entertaining all-around individuals ever, Mr. Dick Williams of Memphis, Tennessee, host of the longest running TV magic show in history!
Steve |
|||||||||
Elton Litzner New user 58 Posts |
I was 13 when I saw magic performed on stage for the first time. It was a intimate theatre at the Bob-Lo Island Amusment Park. I love thrill rides and can ride roller coasters all day, but that year my favorite attraction was their illusion show. I was spellbound by the theatrical staging, the music, the costumes and of course the illusions. I remember the commanding presence of the magician. ( who years later I discovered was Jason Byrne) The show left quite an impression on me.
There are so many artists in magic that have influenced me Todd Robbins, Tony Clark, Peter Marvey, Marshall Brodein, Roy Huston, Johnathan Neal Brown, Mac King, Ward Hall, Chris Christ, John Trower, Red Stuart, Johnny Meah, Justin Trance, Joel Ward, (these are guys I know in real life who have directly influneced my magic. I've either had the privlidge of working with em' or have spent some signigigant time with em.) Of course there other perhaps less direct, but still valid influences. David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Amazing Johathan, Penn & Teller, Jeff Hobson, Jeff McBride, Ricky Jay, Topas, Timothy Trust, Dan Sperry, Eugene Burger, Tony Andruzzi, Luke Jermay, Criss Angel, Simon Drake, Bill Neff, Richiardi, Jim Rose, Melvin Burkhart, Ormand McGill, Anthony Cools, Robert Houdin, Nevil Maskelyn, Keller, Dante, and of course Harry Houdini |
|||||||||
Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
Kind of cool that you guys can remember names like that.
I was a kid, maybe 9 years old, when I saw a live performance by some local magician (southern California at the time). I remember the linking rings, multiplying billiard balls, guillotine, and the fact that he did some card tricks. I remember him in a black suit by a swimming pool. I remember the wonder of it all. I didn't do anything with that wonder until recently, but because of his effect on me as a kid, my audience is kids. As far as recent inspirations, I'd have to say watching Bill Abbott on his DVDs for audience fun and interaction, reading Mark Wilson's book for loads of practical magic that is accessible to anyone, and Kevin James on YouTube for simply amazing effects that are humorously gross. He knows to only do one trick at a time instead of trying to wow folks with 5 tricks in 2 minutes. That's a lesson that I think a lot of magicians need to learn. But as far as biggest initial inspiration, I have to say that local guy who used to come out to the Treehouse club when I was a boy 25 or so years ago. I wonder if being a volunteer in a school will ever inspire kids to explore this great artform. It only took me a quarter of a century to act on it, but his influences are so important I can't really put it into words. -Patrick |
|||||||||
ropeadope Elite user Mississippi 453 Posts |
Mark Wilson and the Magic Land of Alakazam every saturday morning in the 60`s got me turned around and headed in the right direction. Beautiful Nani Darnell made the show even more interesting!
After that Doug Henning t.v. specials were very inspirational. Will never forget first trick on his first special, the vanishing nickel! How could that happen with the palm of his hand and the nickel the only things in the close up camera picture and revolving his hand that slow then the nickels reappearance? Wow! Beautiful!
Nothing is better than more.
|
|||||||||
jeffdell New user Nashua, NH 66 Posts |
I don't remember exactly what turned me on to magic when I was a kid but I do remember the first stage show I saw. I must have been 12 years old and my parents took me to see a stage show of Le Grand David out of Beverly, MA. That sealed the deal for me! All I remember now from the show is that he did some amazing things with small little billiard balls and made someone levitate.. I guess I was easily amused in those days!!!!
Jeff |
|||||||||
foolsnobody Special user Buffalo, NY 843 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-10 23:36, NicholasD wrote: I got one of those bunnies. You didn't see him in Buffalo in the 1950's did you? If you did, I may have got your bunny. I could be wrong but I think Blackstone Sr. is the only well known stage magician I ever saw live, so he would be my favorite. FN |
|||||||||
BroDon New user 23 Posts |
Biggest impression?
Hands down...the debonair, suave and incredibly talented Fred Kaps. Not a name you hear very ofen these days, but IMHO, Kaps' sleight of hand was and reamains head and shoulders above any performer, working or otherwise. He was a true master and the You Tube videos exist to prove my point..check them out! |
|||||||||
noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
I'd like to add Derren Brown to my list.
|
|||||||||
Daryl -the other brother Special user Chicago 594 Posts |
WOW I started this thread in 2003!!
SOOO many great names and stories! |
|||||||||
julieannjohnson Veteran user 305 Posts |
Harry Blackstone Sr. was the first magician I saw on stage. I was young, my family was poor, and somehow, a girl I knew in school bought tickets for EVERY GIRL IN CLASS to attend his stage performance after her birthday party. The girls were all laughing and giggling, but I was mesmerized. I had no idea that such things existed. We had no television in the home, and although I had seen musicians busking in the street, I actually had no idea that people performed LIVE ON STAGE. While the performance was going on, someone next to me said, "He does it with tricks," and that opened my mind by another mile. TRICKS? What did that mean? "You have to look for the black thread," was the smug explanation. Needless to say, I saw no black thread -- or anything else that gave away the "tricks," and when I asked where the supposed black thread was, my informant told me, "I dunno. It's just there, that's all." LOL. The lesson I learned from this performance was "there are no black threads."
The next live performance that blew my mind to that intense degree was not a magic act. It was an older couple with their trained miniature poodle dogs at Circus Circus. When the little white dog climbed a tall, shaky ladder and took a death-defying leap into the man's waiting arms, I almost collapsed. The man's affection and care for the dog (and for their pony, too) was so touching that I was reduced to tears. The lesson I learned from this performance was "make the audience care what happens." I know I sure cared. |
|||||||||
InventorRu New user 84 Posts |
What a lovely idea for a post.We all seem to have had some incredible experiences.
The two I would like to mention which will stay in my heart are not actually Magicians but were very moving experiences just the same. I saw the ice dancing couple Torvill and Dean which truly touched my heart for there mastery and I also count myself very lucky to have seen Ennio Marchetto the paper sculpture chap.I've seen him four times and on each occasion I've been brought to tears by a man giving of himself so honestly and completely in his performance. These experiences,which I count myself truly privileged to have witnessed remain within me. |
|||||||||
patrick1515 Regular user 142 Posts |
Don Alan, his Magic Ranch program gave budding young magicians a look at all of the other "great" magicians of that time period. Roger Pierre- student of Francis Carlyle, Bob Sheets, Steve Spill ('70's), Penn & Teller, Nick Lewin, Patrick Martin ('80's)and I would be remiss if I did not include Michael Close & Chris Kenner!
|
|||||||||
Tom Jorgenson Inner circle LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA 4451 Posts |
Sandwich, Illinois, 1955 or so. I think it was Joe Berg doing a 4-5 day promotion for a local jewelery store. He was there every day, and after school, I'd hang out on the edges of the people to watch him vanish quarters. I studied him from every angle, went home and practiced until I could eventually duplicate the trick. It was the first time I'd ever seen magic. Years later, Joe said he thought he could remember working Sandwich.
The best and most influential was Norm Nielsen. I worked for him for a year, got to manufacture the magic, make doves, filled orders, babysat the biz till he got back from tours and appearances, etc. An amazing year or year and a half. I learned the value of excellence, quality and perfection. His act was as close to perfection in performance I've ever seen. Tony Clark hung out a lot, and watching Tony spontaneously do a move, a demo or magic was another amazing piece of perfection. His multiplying bottles effect from The Bottle Book was unbelievable when performed by Tony. Even close up! Kuda Bux inspired me in a whole 'nother way from the first time I saw a newspaper article about him. Thus, I like both stage magic and the mysterious Mental stuff.
We dance an invisible dance to music they cannot hear.
|
|||||||||
rghale New user Robert Hale 29 Posts |
Richiardi was fabulous, his whole show at the Village Gate in New York was amazing. Blackstone Jr. was a great showman and a wonderful person - it came through on and off stage. Mak King is TREMENDOUS - Don't let the comedy fool you - or DO!
|
|||||||||
Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
When I was about 10, I saw Penn & Teller in a tiny off-Broadway theater (mid-80s). I was enthralled. They pulled me up for some prediction effect using a Bible and a dart board (of course). Casey at the Bat, "Kids, don't smoke... unless you want to be cool!" Wow. Huge impression.
When I was 35, I saw them again (the only other magician I've seen is Copperfield) and again they ignited my love for performance. Teller's miser's dream, the video-camera bit, the ball and hoop... WOW. |
|||||||||
WagsterMagic Special user Myrtle Beach, SC 639 Posts |
Since this is stage performers and not just magicians...
The two entertainers that have changed my thinking in magic the most are Terry Evanswood and the other isn't even a magician... Michael Jackson.
The Wagsters: World Class Magic & Illusion
www.wagstermagic.com |
|||||||||
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
1. David Copperfield.
2. Michael Jackson. 3. Derren Brown. A few others you would not be familiar with...
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » What happened, was this... » » What stage performer has made the biggest impression on you? (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |