Copperfield leads magician's top-10 list

[Joe Hadsall]

Magician Wayne Kawamoto, author of “Picture Yourself As a Magician” and writes about magic for About.com, has named the 10 best magicians of our time. Top of his list: David Copperfield. The next nine, and some of Kawamoto's reasoning, are listed here on the E blog.

The omissions are just as interesting as the list. David Blaine didn't make it because he doesn't perform live (although Blaine was a contender for Nos. 6 through 10). Criss Angel was also left out because his ability to carry a live show hasn't yet been proven. Dai Vernon is off because he's not known to the general public.

So, what do you think of the list?

[Premetheus37]

I wouldn't say that Doug Henning and Mark Wilson are known to the general public.

Premetheus

[ScottBaird]

I wouldn't say that Doug Henning and Mark Wilson are known to the general public.

Premetheus

Sure they are. Maybe not any more, but both were on TV extensively back in their day.

Scott.

[Lamont100]

I wouldn't say that Doug Henning and Mark Wilson are known to the general public.

Premetheus

And Doug Henning is still the only magician ever to produce and perform his own magic Broadway Show to this day. (just a little tid-bit of info... :-) Doug was one of the prominent magicians for his time yet he dropped out of the spot light in the late 70's when he chose to pursue his interests in his spiritual journey, and one of the reasons why he is an almost un-known today.

Take it easy,

_D. LaMont_

p.s. However I am a little sadden people like the Blackstone's were not considered; so many that seemed to be looked over.

[retroherb]

Doug was one of the prominent magicians for his time yet he dropped out of the spot light in the late 70's when he chose to pursue his interests in his spiritual journey,

It seems a bit unfair to have someone who 'dropped out of the spot light' that long ago be considered one of the top ten of our time, might aswell have put Robert Houdin in there...

I'm surprised The Pendragons, Derren Brown and Paul Daniels didn't make it in. Although Brown isn't your conventional magician, the general public don't see him as a conjourer, they see him as a freak if anything. No matter how many times he tells them.

But David Copperfield at number one is spot on in my opinion.


EDIT: Just read the complete blog, it seems Daniels would have got in if he was American. But he also says that The Pendragons aren't known by the public, but a lot of people I know have heard of them, and not through me either...

Cyril doesn't perform live either.

[DaveyG]

Penn & Teller should have been higher up, but other that that I agree.

[Deano88]

Iv been thinking about my own top ten (in no particular order)

1.Derren Brown
2.Eugene Burger
3.Penn and Teller
4.Max Maven
5.Tommy Wonder
6.David Copperfield/Seigfried & Roy
7.David Blaine
8.Houdini
9.Lance Burton
10. Banachek

Obviously anybodies list is only a matter of opinion and there are 100's that could of been put here,There are 100 of magicians that i admire for there effects and contributions to magic but for me these are my top 10 performers of magic/mentalism.

[DeuceOfDiamonds]

I really believe that Dai Vernon should be included in anyone's top ten list. He was probably one of the greatest card magicians in hitory, and everyone should know about him!

[raphaelwj]

Although reasons where given why Blaine had been ommited, I firmly believe that he should be there simply because he brought magic to the people and inspired many of us to pursue magic thus keeping magic alive. Ask any random person about magic these days and only 2 people get mentioned, Copperfield and Blaine. Copperfield is definately number 1 there's no arguing with that, but Blaines exclusion is rediculous.

[Goudinov]

And Doug Henning is still the only magician ever to produce and perform his own magic Broadway Show to this day.

Copperfield had a Broadway show.

Cyril doesn't perform live either.

Yes he does

David Blaine didn't make it because he doesn't perform live

"doesn't have a stage show" ≠ "doesn't perform live"
That's just silly. Blaine certainly performs live.

[retroherb]

Yes he does

I meant that in the respect that Blaine doesn't perform live. He doesn't have a stage show, so most people can only hope to see his magic through Youtube, or the television.

If Takayama does perform a live stage show, then it has escped my notice, and I checked through youtube for footage of one.

[Deano88]

If Takayama does perform a live stage show, then it has escped my notice, and I checked through youtube for footage of one.

I do hate to tell ya that just because its not on youtube doesnt mean he hasnt done a live stage show!

[Joe Hadsall]

"doesn't have a stage show" ≠ "doesn't perform live"
That's just silly. Blaine certainly performs live.

Actually, Kawamoto's exact words were, he "has also accomplished great things on television, but he's not a live performer." Which to me is even more of a head-scratcher. I wonder if he was getting "penalized" for his stunts.

[retroherb]

I do hate to tell ya that just because its not on youtube doesnt mean he hasnt done a live stage show!

But my point being that Kawamoto said everything he had seen of Cyril has been on youtube.

[HarleyDiverson]

I saw david Copperfield at the MGM Grand in Vegas last christmas day - what a treat!
I was really impresed with his close up work (really only seen his big illusions before), what a pro he is a true entertainer.