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Mike Gilbert Veteran user Las Vegas, Nevada 376 Posts |
Such a fantastic act!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwnFFJN2ZY0
-Mike Gilbert
"Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance."- Steven Pressfield |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Yeah Mike! I saw Johnny when he was breaking in the TOMSONI act. He worked a solo, then.
I was having dinner with Jay and Fran Marshall. (I had just come in off the road.) Jay said that Johnny was at the Playboy Club, and was breaking in a new act. We decided to go that evening. As we were leaving, the phone rang. It was Dick Stoner. He had just finished a trade show at McCormick, and was wondering if anything was "going on". Jay told him that we would pick him up at his hotel on the way to the Playboy. We were walking down the stairs, when the doorbell on Carmem Street rang. Al Goshman's finger was on the button when Jay opened the door! Jay said, "Hop in the back seat, Al. We're going to catch Johnny Thompson. Al got in. Jay knew the headwaiter at the Club. We got ringside seats! It was a long table with seats on one side only. We were facing the "stage" about 10 feet away. We looked like four members of a "jury"! When Johnny came on, he glanced around the room and saw the "jury" sitting with arms folded, and "staring" at him! He did a take, rolled his eyes, and started the act. He "done good"! We had a good laugh after! Johnny has been a good friend ever since.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Mike Gilbert Veteran user Las Vegas, Nevada 376 Posts |
Such a great story I must admit, Dick, that I envy you something fierce! I wish I could have mingled with the greats like you. You, Sir, have amazing stories, and have led an amazing life!
-Mike Gilbert
"Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance."- Steven Pressfield |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
And, I THINK, I may have a few more years to go! hee hee
I was very fortunate!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Mike Gilbert Veteran user Las Vegas, Nevada 376 Posts |
Fortunate indeed! I'm hoping many more years are in store for you, Dick!
-Mike Gilbert
"Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance."- Steven Pressfield |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Every one that I know seems to be getting younger!
I've already exceeded the Biblical three score and ten (by 13!)!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Mike Gilbert Veteran user Las Vegas, Nevada 376 Posts |
Haha! Keep up the run! Dick Oslund goin' for the high score!
-Mike Gilbert
"Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance."- Steven Pressfield |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I just remembered....
Johnny (and "company") and I were both on the public show for a magicians "gathering" in Minneapolis about 20 years ago. We shared a dressing room. You've seen his act, and, no doubt realize that there are a "whole bunch" of small props and gimmicks. One of the "secrets" of trouping with an act like Johnny does, is ORGANIZATION! He had a "whole bunch" of travel cases, which were normally used to carry items like tooth brush, razor, etc. Each of the cases had all the necessary props & gimmicks for a phase of his act. He laid out the cases on a table, and set the act. As each case was "unloaded" the case was left open. He could tell at a glance, if he was "set"! I hope he doesn't "hate" me for tipping his "secret"! Of course, he, and "& Company" also had a whole bunch of something called TALENT!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Mike Gilbert Veteran user Las Vegas, Nevada 376 Posts |
Wow! I can only imagine this being a logistical nightmare in the wrong hands! That's major organization right there Definitely no shortage of talent, so creativity runs right off the page and into his cases!
-Mike Gilbert
"Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance."- Steven Pressfield |
Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
Lots of Tomsoni on You Tube - do a search
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 3, 2015, Dick Oslund wrote: Which direction are you coming from? I was in kindergarten when you hit that age.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Yeah Jim! I remember Kindergarten! I flunked sand box. --The other kids made a castle, and I made a shack.
Then came first grade. The first day, our teacher said, "Two and two equals four." I thought, "This arithmetic is going to be easy." The second day , she said, "Three plus one equals four." I held up my hand, and said, "Please, Miss Rumplesnitz, make up your mind." She didn't call on me for the rest of the year. My third grade teacher passed me to fourth grade, cuz, I wouldn't shave.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
I'm not sure how many of today's Magicians are fully aware of the significance and historical importance that Johnny Thompson has had in "paving the way" for magicians by literally opening up "New Frontiers" for them to perform in.
Specifically, it was Johnny Thompson and his friend and mentor Marshall Brodien who opened up the lucrative field of Trade Show Magic at the McCormick Pavilion in Chicago. Johnny has been a mentor and consultant to many of the greats in Magic over the years, including Penn and Teller, Lance Burton, Criss Angel and many, many more. I believe that Johnny actually started his performing career as a member of Jerry Murad's Harmonicats, playing, recording and touring with them for 7 years. Johnny also stands out as one of the true "General Practitioners" in Magic.....whether its stage, close-up, parlor, the big Las Vegas showrooms, Television, or Magician's Conventions and Lectures....Johnny does it all and does it as a consummate performer. I'm very fortunate to have him as a friend, and will always have the highest esteem for him as a performer and general all-around sweetheart of a guy. Here is a link that may interest you: http://www.all-about-magicians.com/johnny-thompson.html |
Zlwin Chew Elite user Malaysian Magician with 437 Posts |
I've had the privilege of having met Johnny many times at a friend's house in Vegas and we chatted and had coffee. We even discussed and designed a few illusion plans together. As a young magician, it was definitely something I would treasure and remember for the remaining years of my life.
The world of Magic owes Johnny Thompson a huge applause. |
cheesewrestler Inner circle Chicago 1157 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 30, 2014, Mike Gilbert wrote: Heck of a harmonica player, too. |
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