Sr. RAI has passed

[hugmagic]

I just learned that my good friend, Sr. Rai , the Million Dollar Ringmaster, passed over last night. Bedridden pretty much for several years at least his suffering is over.

Rai forgot more magic and show business than most of us could ever hope to learn. His stories will remain with me for years. His advice survives here in a few snipets on the Magic Café but alas he could not temper his words. He called it as he saw it and that offended some. His abilities as a costumer was also highly recognized, making things for Blackstone, Melinda, Hanneford Circus and many more professionals in the business. His sewing knowledge coupled with his vast performing experience gave a an edge over many.
Besides the Hanneford Circus which he played for many, many years, he headlined in Las Vegas and working many, many nightclubs with a premeir dove act.

We exchanged phone calls over the years and many, many laughs. If you never saw Rai, you are missing something. There was some video of him working at Hanneford Circus doing the Asrah center ring but I believe it was taken down. I would love to have copy of it.

I posted this here because Rai enjoyed and loved magic. RIP my dear friend. I am sure you are cutting up jackpots with a lot of our friends. Save a jewel cushion for me for the future to sit and talk again. Down the road, luv.

Richard

[Brad Henderson]

i’ve never heard of him, but it sounds like there is a great article or talk that could be done on his life.

[Steve Hook]

You can read about Senor Rai in the February '82 Genii (cover story).

[Jack Shalom]

What was his handle on the Magic Cafe?

[hugmagic]

I think he just went by Senior Rai. Of course, he was banned for speaking his mind and telling the truth.

[observer]

What was his handle on the Magic Cafe?

Senor Rai

(two words, init caps, no tilde over the n)

11 pages of posts, all but 2 posts are from Feb-April 2009.

[Jack Shalom]

Thanks.