What ever happened to Rico?

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What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Guest » June 22nd, 2003, 8:32 pm

Does anyone know if a magician by the name of Rico is still performing or even alive?

I recently watched a Mark Wilson Magic Circus show in wich he appeared. This was not the set of tapes that is currently available but actual VHS original tapes a friend made from the initial broadcasts.

The act as I remember it consisted of barehand silk productions, a zombie , and candle productions. All flawlessly performed. I also saw a review of his act published in "The Gen" from the 1960's.

What happened to this guy? He was suave, handsome and had great presence. Any info. appreciated.

Pete

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Pete Biro
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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Pete Biro » June 22nd, 2003, 10:30 pm

He was in Les Sorcery (Produced by the Great Tomsoni) and when he left the show I took his spot... but, that was some time ago and I have not seen or heard of him since.

Maybe Johnny Thompson knows?

I will try to ask next time I have contact with him. :confused:
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Guest

Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Guest » June 23rd, 2003, 8:43 pm

Thanks Pete,

It was a great act. Hard to beleive he vanished ;) .

Do you happen to know if he was an American or a foreign performer.

I suppose someone like that could play Europe or South America and never have to worry about performing in America if he didn't want to.

What was "Les Sorcery"? Sounds like a review show.

Thanks for the info. again

Best regards,

Pete

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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Pete Biro » June 23rd, 2003, 10:51 pm

Les Sorcery was a review show produced by Johnny Thompson with Music by Keith Droste. It was a great revue show with several magicians, a magic theme with original songs and dancing.

The guest magic spot was filled by Rico, Maven, Caveney and others... not to mention "The Amazing Peter" (Biro).

It played Stateline in Reno, but John never got it into a club in Las Vegas.
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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Max Maven » June 24th, 2003, 1:34 pm

Pete, I think your memory is off.

Les Sorcery had a twelve-week run at the Cal-Neva casino in Reno, circa 1979. I was in the show for the first eight weeks, then left for other work commitments. My slot was filled by Glenn Falkenstein & Frances Willard, Mike Caveney and yourself. Rico was not in that show.

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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Pete Biro » June 24th, 2003, 4:43 pm

Max... Rico did do the show... Maybe only ONCE? As the night I came in (before I worked) he was on the show... Might have been a stop gap until I got there?
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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Max Maven » June 24th, 2003, 11:18 pm

Okay, Pete. I'll take your word for it.

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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby David Nethery » June 25th, 2003, 5:19 am

"Mother of Mercy is this the end of Rico ?"


(Well, someone had to say it . :D )

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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Guest » June 25th, 2003, 5:00 pm

I guess it was only a matter of time before the Edward G. Robinson jokes started ( (In sotto voice)Now back to our thread)!

The reason the Gen article caught my attention is I have never seen any reference to Rico in magazines other than the "Gen" review. Surely this guy must have played the castle??? Anyone know???

Pete Mills

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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Pete Biro » June 27th, 2003, 11:14 am

Argh.... SENIOR MOMENT??? :o

MAX, I APOLOGISE.... Rico was NOT in Les Sorcery, once again your memory wins... :D

What happened was just before I went into Les Sorcery I went to Las Vegas to meet with Johnny Thompson and we went to the Stardust and Rico was filling in for Galli Galli... Rico also worked at the old Showboat (across from the Mirage and now called Harrah's)...

John, who is leaving momentarily for a cruise on the QE-II, said last he heard Rico was dealing cards at a casino. :cool:

You were right, Les Sorcery spot was filled by yourself, Caveney, Glenn & Francis and yours truly...

:o
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Re: What ever happened to Rico?

Postby Guest » June 28th, 2003, 10:07 am

If this is the RICO I think we are all talking about from the Magic Circus tapes...WOW, what a great show!

He is the inspiration for the style and method I use for my chandelier production. Marvin Roy was the first person I had seen do this production and I fell in love with it. Since I was not using an assistant, I needed to find another way that did not need to be hidden behind a table or stand. I started scouring videos from the past and found this one with RICO.

Someone once told me that when they were filming Magic Circus with RICO's portion...the first take did not take. I guess the camera was not on or something. They told him they needed to do it again and he immediately rolled out an identical set and did a second flawless show "on tape". The crew was amazed "twice". :eek:

Any confirmation on this story?

www.JeffEzellMAGIC.com


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