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Jerry
Andrus - |
| By
Tony Brook |
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Note from Steve Dacri: I was delighted when Tony Brook called to say he had written this tribute for Jerry Andrus. Jerry was a special man, and those of us who knew him or even met him, well, let's just say he touched us all. The magic world has few true geniuses, most of them are gone. Jerry was one of that rare breed. I recall first meeting Jerry back in the 70's, when we were both performing at the Tannen's Jubilee in New York's Catskills Mountains. Irv Tannen sat me at the same table with Jerry (and Harry Lorayne, Albert Goshman, among others) and I got the rare treat, while sitting next to him for every meal over the course of the convention,to enjoy the man and share magic ideas and thoughts. I mostly listened, I was enthralled. He would always have a trick to show, carried the linkng pins with him, and taught me some moves. He'd ask me to vanish a coin, then we'd discuss the method and he'd offer ideas. Over the years, I met him a few more times, talking about life and magic, and solving all the problems of the world He was a generous man, a funny man, and a brilliant mind. I'm honored to have been able to spend some time with him. Good bye, Jerry. Magic will miss you.
Tony Brook's Tribute Now that his mortal remains have been laid to rest and the magic media have paid their tributes it is time for me to share my recent meeting with Jerry. It took place at his home in May 2007. Thanks to my good friend Michael Roth, President of SAM Assembly 59, I was invited to Oregon to perform and to lecture there and in Canada. Prior to my performance Michael had asked me if I would like to meet and visit with some living legends of magic, namely Stan Greer, Duane Duvall, Jose Zialcita and Jerry Andrus. Naturally, I accepted their individual invitations. Michael kindly drove me over to Jerry’s home. I knew that Jerry had been ill for some time and during the drive, Michael explained the nature of Jerry’s illnesses. Although I am now at an age when I have learnt to accept the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” that Life tends to offer, I still have a singular lack of understanding as to why such great minds have to endure such great hardship. Michael had visited Jerry before and knew the route to his home. We arrived and Michael parked the car. Together we walked up a small drive, climbed two steps and knocked on the door. I was expecting a small, wizened and frail old man that that gone a few hundred rounds with Life but to my amazement the man that greeted us and invited us in was an erect, tall, bright and alert - Jerry Andrus. The face had aged somewhat but the distinct features were still there including a full head of hair. Age whitened but full and lustrous nevertheless. The front door led immediately into a room some four by six feet. I could tell it was at one time larger but years of clutter and strange looking objects had shrunk its size. It housed, in a manner of speaking, a cacophony of objects that had seen better days and it was cluttered, quite literally, from floor to ceiling with a collection of some very odd and strange looking contraptions that created further dissonance. It exuded an ambience of antique shop meets Heath Robinson in a garage sale next to a junk yard. I am not being in the slightest disrespectful, but merely trying to describe and convey in the best way possible the sight that greeted us. Those who knew Jerry and have visited him will know exactly what I mean and to those who did not it doesn’t matter. I have, over the years been very fortunate to meet and spend quality time with some of the greatest magicians of the world, real old-timers (I use this word with respect and admiration) who had earned their accolades the hard way. All true gentlemen and ladies of the Art. Walter Blaney, Mark Wilson, Nani Darnell, Bill Palmer, Jerry Grey, MarcoM, Bob Blau, Celeste Evans, Jon Racherbaumer, Ali Bongo, Pat Page are just some of the names that spring to mind. How fortunate that the fates decreed that I was able to include Jerry Andrus to the list. I had, in common with those of us who value and respect our Art, spent some time studying the life and work of this remarkable magician. Despite his illness, his mind was sharp and he conducted himself with great dignity. I was overwhelmed by his courtesy and gentleness. There was, and I’m sure those who knew him will also testify to this, an aura about Jerry that made him instantly likable. There was very definitely something of the William Blake’s Ancient of Days like image about him. Kind, benevolent, humorous and all-knowing are adjectives that spring to mind. Of course, it is totally and completely ironic that those words spring to mind because Jerry was a confirmed atheist. Nevertheless,
we had a wonderful and delightful debate about the existence of
God. I felt totally honored and privileged to have the opportunity
to discuss so vast and controversial topic with so great a mind.
Although he would stop occasionally during our conversation and
tell me that he had a stroke, and that his mind was ageing. Nevertheless,
there was no evidence that it had effected him in the slightest.
Some twenty minutes later after we had waxed lyrical on the topic he made some very complimentary remarks and then announced that he would like to attend my show. I happily told him it would be a great honor for me. Michael quickly intervened and said he would arrange all the logistics of transportation to & from Jerry’s home. To the best of my knowledge, it was, most likely the last full live magic show he saw. Tom Waldrop and Bill Beach opened. Robert Neary kindly videoed. Right then, the door opened and a very elderly gentleman walked in carrying an egg. The conversation stopped momentarily. The elderly gentleman nodded in our direction and said, “You want the egg?” Jerry looked up from his chair, “Not right now”. The elderly gentleman nodded again, “ Ok, I’ll come back; but I’ll leave the egg”. I felt that I was part of a rehearsed surreal comedy sketch. “That was my brother George” volunteered Jerry, “he takes care of me.” I have no idea why but the humor of the situation got the better of me and I did my best to suppress a huge laugh and just grinned. To maintain a sense of decorum, more for my sake than Jerry’s, I quickly changed the subject, pointed to a box that was mounted on a strange looking table that housed an electric cooking ring and wires going in and out of it. Expecting some great explanation about one of his inventions, I asked , “Tell me Jerry, what is that?” “It’s a microwave” replied Jerry. “What do you use it for?” I asked. Without missing a beat, he answered, “ Mostly for heating food” !!!! Michael and I laughed. Out loud. Jerry smiled joyously. Fortunately, for us Jerry did show us many of his ‘contraptions’ and illusions, graciously explaining how each one worked. He shared with us his poetry and his book of made up words. I sincerely hope that someone publishes both his poetry and book of made up words. I loved them both. The wonderful thing about the made up words was that each one seemed plausible and somehow made me feel that they did indeed belong in the English vocabulary. Each time we would attempt to leave for fear that we were overtiring him, he would politely tell us to stay and show us something else. I will never be able to do his wonderful personality justice with my mere words, expect to say that I am old enough and smart enough to know that I was honored and privileged to be touched by his greatness. SAM Assembly 59 in Oregon and The Portland Society of Magicians had a commemorative coin struck in Jerry’s honor several months prior to his demise. I proudly own one, which I was presented. A few days
ago, a public memorial service was held for Jerry. Here is an
extract from my friend Michael’s email exactly as he sent
it to me: .............................................the
Andrus Memorial went well, lots of people from all over, magicians,
skeptics, writers, movie makers, many stories...most awesome...about
Jerry's honesty, willingness to teach, debate and wonder with
almost anyone...quotes included Dai Vernon's "he's the most
creative magician of the 20th century, and the best close-up magician
I've ever seen" or "he probably wouldn't buy an effect
if it killed him"...one of the kindest gentlest people I've
ever met"...etc His brother George read some poetry he'd
written. However, the story does not end there. In the penultimate weekend in September 2007, I was on the bill with Ali Bongo and Pat Page at Stirling Castle in Scotland at The Castle of Magic Event. We three had some excellent conversations over breakfast each morning. One morning, the conversation got around to Jerry. This is what Pat told me, “ You know he never lied. He never ever said there was nothing in his hand when it contained something and he never said it contained something when it was empty. All his magic and sleights were conducted in pure truth.” For me, there can be no better tribute about such a great man than from another. Any further words of mine would be superfluous. Aloha Mr. Andrus.
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