This is the Golden Age of Magic.
There are so many exciting performers and creative thinkers that it is almost impossible to turn on your television set without seeing a magic show of some sort or another. Some of the greatest teachers of all time have been alive during the past quarter of a century. I have been fortunate enough to actually be able to study with some of them.

• "Mysterious" Howard Campbell--who got me started and who gave me my first job in a magic shop.

  Cal Emmett--Taught me how to use the most common magic prop in the world in such a way that I can fool anybody with it.

  Dai Vernon--The legendary card expert and magician. He saw me perform on several occasions, helped me to learn sleights and techniques, and encouraged me to be a magician.

  Slydini--that master of misdirection--taught me about natural movement and muscle memory.

  Van Cleve--one of the first of the Renaissance Festival wizards. Gene Anderson said that Cleve inspired originality. He taught me the value of presentation.

  Lou Derman--Who showed me how serious comedy is.

  Ludwig Hanemann--Punx--A truly original thinker, a revolutionary among magicians. He taught me what makes magic magical. He was my father in magic.

  Ralph MarcoM--another original thinker whose knowledge of magic and the world is catholic, which is interesting, because he isn't. He is one of my best friends in magic.

  Johnny Thompson (The Great Tomsoni)--The Wizard of Warsaw. He gave me lots of ideas.

  Marvyn Roy--Mr. Electric--Inspired me to work out a new ending to the Cigarette in the Jacket. His wife, Carol, showed my assistant how to make it work.

  Bobby Bernard--For the real work on the Downs Coin Star--with no gaffs!

  Roger Klause--For giving me some of the tools I needed!

  Terry Seabrooke--For helping me with several routines--and for being a good friend.

  David Roth--For showing me I could do it.

  Jules DeBarros--For another perspective on the real work.

Go back to Merlin's Cave.

©1997, 1998 Bill Palmer. All rights reserved. For permission to republish contact Bill Palmer at the above e-mail address.