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The early 1970s was an era of excitement, one in which I was experiencing many firsts.  The first agent.  The first TV show.  The first

“Work on tricks only for yourself” versus “Work on tricks to please a crowd” is a false dilemma.  Work on tricks for an audience of

It was 1966 and I was a paperboy. Every day at the crack of dawn I’d get up, and I’d fold and rubber band seventy-four

The day started superbly. I appeared on an episode of The Talk tv show with Sara Gilbert and Holly Robinson Peet, promoting my new book

It fit me badly, as all green jackets with gigantic shoulder pads are legally required to do. Despite her smile, my wife, pictured next to

In sixth grade I was a regular at Joe Berg’s, a secret magic store in Hollywood. Not a street-level store with a sign—it was hidden

By the time I graduated high school in June of 1973 I was on the fringe of the LA rock club scene – opening for

For the generations of magicians born since Vernon’s death in 1992 it is hard to fathom the degree of his influence. He was probably the

Joan Rivers, the legendary comedy icon, was, on stage and screen, a hilarious, screaming, yelling, cursing, extremely vain, self-deprecating, acerbic, ribald, egotistical personality who’s politically

Making magic your own.  It’s a specific skill big-name magicians use to make off-the-shelf tricks anyone could buy feel unique.  Case in Point:  The Mindfreak

At one time, as part of a routine, in reaction to my wife Bozena, I’d take out a handkerchief, and start to cry.  A visible

I was ten years old and booked as the star attraction at a Cub Scout Banquet.  My dressing room turned out to be just the

I owe the pashas at Dick Foster Productions, the big cheese Vegas prodoooosas of Spellbound, a casino show I was featured in at the end

Maverick business magnate, philanthropist and billionaire entrepreneur meets maverick magician. The brand name “Virgin” arose forty plus years ago when a teenaged Richard Branson formed

How to begin Audiences enjoy illusions performed with savage jungle beasts.  It is also great fun for the tigers.  The key is not to start

I was tangentially involved in a scam of sorts, with a world famous model/television personality.  I don’t remember her name because a confidentiality clause forbids

I did the Bullet Catch long before the Penn & Teller and David Blaine versions.  As is the case with tricks in one’s repertoire, their

Personally, I don’t isolate doing shows with a commercial sales message from theater work.  They are thoroughly shuffled together in my brain, and I consider

Q: Where are you? A: In my seat. Q: What do you see? A: A big curtain. Q: Describe it to me. A: It’s really

Martin Lewis, we’d last worked together in the early 70s at Earthquake McGoon’s in San Francisco.  Martin was an excellent entertainer and went on to