Magicians (Ranked & Reviewed)
Transcribed directly from an audio recording
Do you believe in magic? Many fans around the world are amazed every time they witness a magician live. I have always loved magic from an early age and I even considered becoming a magician when I was younger. I had an awesome magic store near my house and I would collect simple tricks and study magic books to fool my friends and family. I’m a frequent guest of Las Vegas and I continually spend time in Houdini’s Magic Shop finding new tricks to learn. This list will be controversial, but these are MY top five favourite magicians of all-time including a couple of honourable mentions with notes on each. Who are some of your favourite magicians of all-time?
Honourable Mention is Piff the Magic Dragon.
John van der Put is a brilliant magician from the United Kingdom. He has been featured on America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us. He has even toured with Mumford and Sons. What I love most about Piff is his unique character and showmanship. He really is one of the most unique magicians of all-time. His deadpan and nonchalant stage presence are awesome. He’s also a resident at my favourite Las Vegas hotel, The Flamingo.
Honourable Mention is Shin Lim.
I first saw Shin on America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us. His sleight-of-hand and card manipulation techniques are the best around and his silent stage persona really helps sell his magic. The fact that he is self-taught is amazing and he is regarded as one of this past decade’s greatest magicians.
Number 5 is David Copperfield.
I saw David Copperfield when I was a child and was simply amazed then. I’ve been watching him do great magic for over thirty years. He is one of the best, if not, the best illusionist that has ever lived. He has eleven Guinness World Records, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a knighthood by the French Government. This man is a legend and the highest-grossing solo entertainer in history.
Number 4 is Apollo Robbins.
Apollo Robbins is probably the greatest deception specialist in the world. He has been described as a gentleman thief. His artful manipulation is iconic and will ensure a lasting legacy. Watching his performances on YouTube will leave you breathless.
Number 3 is Steven Brundage.
I love Steven Brundage. This man is a master of the Rubik’s Cube. His performances are hilarious, mind-bending and a joy to watch. His act is clever and this young man has blown the minds of many audience members over the past couple of years. I love the simplicity in his act and the fact that he has created a niche for himself as the only Rubik’s Cube magician in the world.
Number 2 is Penn & Teller.
What can be said about this iconic duo that hasn’t been said a million times? They are legends, bottom line. They have been entertaining audiences for over forty-five years. Their act is memorable and they are regarded as the best magicians of all-time by many, including many top magicians themselves. The fact that they have a show in which world-class magicians try to fool them, says it all. I love this duo, and I’ve especially loved their late-night talk show appearances and cameos throughout the years.
Number 1 is David Blaine.
I love David Blaine. His specials are incredibly enjoyable to watch, especially when he is fooling top celebrities around the world with his unforgettable magic. The time he fooled Harrison Ford was and is amazing. I love his approach to magic and his candour and cadence make him one of the best card magicians in the world. I also appreciate very much that he is able to improvise if a trick goes wrong and can work himself out of mistakes. He is nearly flawless this way and even if there is a slip, he can turn the trick into something quite magical.
