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Difference between revisions of "Will Rock"
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| − | + | '''Will Rock''' (1907-1995), an electrical engineer, performed in "The Modern Monarch Of Magic Presents Thurston's Mysteries Of India" from 1938 through 1942. | |
| − | His family immigrated to the U.S from Lithuania, settling in Detroit. In | + | His family immigrated to the U.S from Lithuania, settling in Detroit. In the "Who's Who in Magic" column of the [[Sphinx]] (May, 1931), he stated he was born in No. Auburn, Massachusetts, although both his obituary in Genii and Leo Behnke's book "WILL ROCK PRESENTS..." states he was born in Lithuania and immigrated to the U.S. with his his family as a young boy. |
Rock decided to become a magician after seeing [[Eugene Laurant]] perform in 1920. He practiced magic for years until 1928 when he started touring, just as the Great Depression was starting. | Rock decided to become a magician after seeing [[Eugene Laurant]] perform in 1920. He practiced magic for years until 1928 when he started touring, just as the Great Depression was starting. | ||
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After [[Howard Thurston]] died in 1936, Rock purchased some of his illusions from his daughter, Jane Thurston. Then he found out that [[Harry Thurston]] (Howard Thurston's brother) had props available for sale as well. | After [[Howard Thurston]] died in 1936, Rock purchased some of his illusions from his daughter, Jane Thurston. Then he found out that [[Harry Thurston]] (Howard Thurston's brother) had props available for sale as well. | ||
| − | In 1938, he started to perform as "Will Rock, The Modern Monarch Of Magic Presents Thurston's Mysteries Of India". His full evening show toured the | + | In 1938, he started to perform as "Will Rock, The Modern Monarch Of Magic Presents Thurston's Mysteries Of India". His full evening show toured the United States and Canada, playing 300 cities in a four^year period. |
| − | United States and Canada, playing 300 cities in a four^year period. | + | |
| − | Will Rock's show ended when the war started and he joined the army. He became | + | Will Rock's show ended when the war started and he joined the army. He became entertainment director at Camp Leonard Wood, Missouri, where it is said he presented his full-evening show on the average of one night a week. |
| − | entertainment director at Camp Leonard Wood, Missouri, where it is said he presented his full-evening show on the average of one night a week. | + | |
After the war, he retire from performing, opening a dry-cleaning business. | After the war, he retire from performing, opening a dry-cleaning business. | ||
| − | + | {{References}} | |
* Who's Who in Magic, [[Sphinx]], May 1931 | * Who's Who in Magic, [[Sphinx]], May 1931 | ||
* Obituary [[Genii 1995 July]], Page 698 | * Obituary [[Genii 1995 July]], Page 698 | ||
Revision as of 01:41, 18 September 2012
| Will Rock | |
| Born | William George Rakauskas April 25, 1907 Vilnius, Lithuania |
|---|---|
| Died | May 4, 1995 (age 88) |
Will Rock (1907-1995), an electrical engineer, performed in "The Modern Monarch Of Magic Presents Thurston's Mysteries Of India" from 1938 through 1942.
His family immigrated to the U.S from Lithuania, settling in Detroit. In the "Who's Who in Magic" column of the Sphinx (May, 1931), he stated he was born in No. Auburn, Massachusetts, although both his obituary in Genii and Leo Behnke's book "WILL ROCK PRESENTS..." states he was born in Lithuania and immigrated to the U.S. with his his family as a young boy.
Rock decided to become a magician after seeing Eugene Laurant perform in 1920. He practiced magic for years until 1928 when he started touring, just as the Great Depression was starting.
In 1931 he met the Great Raymond, whom asked him to be an assistant for his show.
After Howard Thurston died in 1936, Rock purchased some of his illusions from his daughter, Jane Thurston. Then he found out that Harry Thurston (Howard Thurston's brother) had props available for sale as well.
In 1938, he started to perform as "Will Rock, The Modern Monarch Of Magic Presents Thurston's Mysteries Of India". His full evening show toured the United States and Canada, playing 300 cities in a four^year period.
Will Rock's show ended when the war started and he joined the army. He became entertainment director at Camp Leonard Wood, Missouri, where it is said he presented his full-evening show on the average of one night a week.
After the war, he retire from performing, opening a dry-cleaning business.
References
- Who's Who in Magic, Sphinx, May 1931
- Obituary Genii 1995 July, Page 698
- Explanatory Program of Will Rock by Ray Muse in Genii 1956 September
- Will Rock Presents... by Leo Behnke (2007)
