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m.ruetz Veteran user Peoria Arizona, USA 378 Posts |
MagicGizmo: Magic Articles, Classifieds, Videos, and more
http://magicgizmo.com |
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
I saw him perform in person; amazing platform act and even more amazing close-up!
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Yes, I have heard of him and seen him work several times. I saw him once as a warmup act for Bob Crosby and his band for real people.
There will only be one Del. There is a book in active preparation on him. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Del Ray had a fairly large following in Houston -- not among magicians, per se, but among laymen. When the Shamrock hotel was first built, he was among the performers who appeared there on a regular basis. I worked for a company that he purchased RC gear from, although I didn't work for the particular branch of the company. I learned about this much later.
He really didn't cultivate a strong relationship with the magic community, at least not in Houston. I think he may have feared that some of the fellows would knock off some of the parts of his act that depended more on mechanics than on sleight of hand. Of course, he was right. However, his skill at sleight of hand was incredible.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Del Ray's act on 'his' table was one of the most incredible things in magic ever.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
Agreed:
I saw Del Ray in St. Louis in 1960 at the Midwest Magic Jubilee at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel do his electronic walk-on table and flash paper from coat. Del Ray also did close-up, I can't remember what he did, but when you're seeing Bro. John Hamman do close-up and Don Alan do close up at the same time, you tend to remember them for the close-up and Del Ray for his stage work. Man, this guy was WAY, WAY ahead of his time. And his VOICE.......absolutely unique......he talked and sounded exactly like what you would think a mafia hit man would sound like. It was like GRAVEL. |
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Got to see him work "his table" at a T-I-N-Y convention in Morgan City, Louisiana late one evening. Fantastic.
Steve |
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charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
He was an amazing man with an incredible act. His close up show was a "master's course"..too many highlights to mention.
Charlie |
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Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
Now I'm curious....REALLY curious....can any of you who have seen Del Ray do closeup remember and/or describe the tricks that you saw him do?
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
I can pretty much remember his entire set (if you want to call it that). I could use up the whole bandwidth talking about it. And to be honest, I just don't have all the time to write it all.
The book on Del is in active preparation. I have seen some of the rough writings. It will be good. A couple of things..He did a dice tower which the dice would drop down a plexiglass tower and you would call out the numbers and combinations on what ever roll you want. He did a little mouse (Willie) that located a card and then was rewarded by cheese in his little house. Del count stack and set up a deck like no one. He would deal poker hands and you would say who should win. Electronics was a very small part of Del Ray. He had incredible skill and an absoluting engaging personality. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts |
One of my treasured memories is a get-together with Del and some notable magic historians in a friend's den. As you know, Del was an assistant of Harry Blackstone's and therefore a source of much knowledge regarding the Blackstone show. Del had performed at a convention the day previously and was basically socializing and upon meeting my friend's children, decided to have his table and props brought into the den, whereupon he did his complete close-up act for the kids and us. Del then posed for a candid photo with the whole group, his hands on the kids' shoulders. He was in many ways a warm human being, although most of the time he preferred to avoid the company of other magicians.
----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez
----- Sonny Narvaez
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Anverdi-museum Inner circle 1195 Posts |
I was pretty good friends with Del, we would talk on the phone periodically throughout the years. We performed together on stage together in 1986 at the infamous 'Bloomfield Moose' in Pittsburgh, Pa.
He lived in Brookline, Pa. - only about 45 mins. from me. I do not believe there will be another like him, he was an exceptional sleight of hand artist as well which most people overlook - he was not just about electronics and gizmos. Chuck C. |
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Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
Richard:
Who is doing the Del Ray book? |
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Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts |
In reply to Rainboguy's question "Who is doing the Del Ray book?" -- I think John Moehring is working on that project. It would be great if the book included some video of Del's close-up and stage performances.
----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez
----- Sonny Narvaez
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
John Moehring is doing the book.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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Steven Conner Inner circle 2720 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-17 17:56, Anatole wrote: The book will be completed in the writing phase around June. Layout and printing comes next. I think it will be 6 months before it is released. John Moehring is making excellent progress with writing and has uncovered many interesting stories in his research. Getting close. There will be a DVD!
"The New York Papers," Mark Twain once said,"have long known that no large question is ever really settled until I have been consulted; it is the way they feel about it, and they show it by always sending to me when they get uneasy. "
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Steven Conner Inner circle 2720 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-11 20:06, hugmagic wrote: I have been doing Del's Blackjack and Poker for a long time. I would see Del at the trade shows sometimes and remember asking him why he hadn't picked up someone to carry on his legacy. He replied, "can't find anybody as dedicated as me." I was fortunate enough to have been able to know him.
"The New York Papers," Mark Twain once said,"have long known that no large question is ever really settled until I have been consulted; it is the way they feel about it, and they show it by always sending to me when they get uneasy. "
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RiffRaff Special user 671 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-26 11:26, Steven Conner wrote: It's June!!! |
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Steven Conner Inner circle 2720 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-06-02 10:42, RiffRaff wrote: We are getting closer.
"The New York Papers," Mark Twain once said,"have long known that no large question is ever really settled until I have been consulted; it is the way they feel about it, and they show it by always sending to me when they get uneasy. "
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RiffRaff Special user 671 Posts |
Steven, any updates?
Can you name the publisher? |
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