JW-vol49no2-p29

HISTORY 1968 - 1978

Compiled by C.J. Carlisle

Even a juggler can be replaced by a machine. While its more serious cousins grind out answers to the ponderous problems of physicists and mathematicians, an electronic "brain" made in the U.S.A. added some vaudeville color at the recent German Industries Fair. The "electronic juggler" quivers, juggles and jumps until the attached servomechanism gives the cue that the three foot steel rod the "juggler" holds is in perfect balance. He is then ready to begin his "act."

The juggler stands holding the rod in perfect balance without support or connective device of any kind. It can keep this up indefinitely. Engineers point out that this demonstration of continuous juggling symbolizes the ability of the computer to perform other automatic control feats for industry. Such devices may free human workers of the future from many tedious and repetitive tasks in the "push-button" factories of the future. The electronic juggler was designed by Reeves Instrument Corp., and was part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's exhibit. Magazine article submitted by Bobby May (IJA Newsletter, October 1972)

Seated in his red Excalibur, the man with the wildly flowing hair and beard is Paul Fegen, successful bachelor attorney, who never seems to wind down in his off hours pursuit of fun and games. He'll pop out on the sidewalk and start juggling rubber balls. "Did you know I worked my way through law school as a clown?" goes part of his snappy patter. As the theatre doors open, a few people lag behind to drop a dime or quarter in his palm. At that point Fegen takes a handful of fives and tens from his wallet and tosses them to those remaining. "You were a good audience," he beams. "Thank you." From "Los Angeles" magazine (IJA Newsletter, May 1975)

The world's greatest boxer meets the world's greatest juggler during the intermission at the Americana Hotel. Muhammad Ali... couldn't resist going backstage to do some juggling with international star Francis Brunn, whom Muhammad admitted was the greatest (juggler, that is!). "OK, Muhammad, Let Francis Brunn Do the Juggling..." (IJA Newsletter, April-May 1976)

Several jugglers and balancers have appeared on "The Gong Show." On August 4, IJA member (and new vice president) Hillary Carlip performed her singing juggling act. She entered wearing a long black dress and coat and carrying a purse and chair. She set the chair down, took off her coat, opened her purse, and pulled out three balls. She sang her torch song, illustrating the lyrics with juggling moves. It was very funny and cracked up the audience and the judges (one of whom was Phyllis Diller.) Hillary received a perfect score. (IJA Newsletter, August-September 1976)

A quote from Hawkeye Pierce on TV's M.A.S.H. after dropping three balls he was attempting to juggle blindfolded: "Let 'em lie there 'til they get it right!" (IJA Newsletter, January-February 1977)

Past President and Newsletter Editor Ken Benge has written a new juggling book entitled "The Art of Juggling" which will be published shortly by World Publications, the sports publishers. (IJA Newsletter, May 1977)

The August 22, 1977, issue of "The New Yorker" included in the "Talk of the Town" column a piece on the Big Apple Circus. The Big Apple Circus is an attempt to provide a resident one-ring circus for New York City, and it recently played a three or four week run in a tent pitched on landfill near Battery Park. The writer of the piece saw the show with Francis Brunn, who is quoted extensively. Jugglers for the circus were Michael Moschen doing his solo act and Paul Binder and Michael Christensen doing their comedy juggling act. Brunn is thought by many to have been the best juggler in the world for many years, and he had complimentary words for the other three. (IJA Newsletter, August-September 1977)

Ed Jackman was on the "Fernwood 2-night" show which was shown on national TV on Wednesday, August 3. Appearing in a "Bun-and-Run" t-shirt, Ed did a three hamburger routine. In addition to juggling the hamburgers in a cascade pattern, he did hamburgers under the leg, a one-high hamburger pirouette, hamburgers off the head, and he ate one of the three hamburgers he was juggling. Interviewed by Fernwood 2-night host, Barth Gimble, immediately after his routine, Ed talked with his mouth full. (IJA Newsletter, August-September 1977)

IJA member Ray Jason is currently on tour with the Jefferson Star Ship rock band. IJAer Bobby Sandler has hooked up with an ABC comedy show, "On the Rocks," playing an acting role. (IJA Newsletter, October-November 1975)

The January 10 edition of ABC-TV's "Saturday Night Live" included juggler Michael Chirrick. Chirrick performed with one to five soccer balls. He rolled the balls all over his body, caught and tossed them all over his body, balanced and twirled them on a mouth-stick and on his fingers, bounced them on his forehead, did two and tree and four ball juggling in standard patterns, did somersaults and other modest acrobatics, and did various combinations of the above stunts. (IJA Newsletter, February 1976)

Sergei Ignatov, juggler with the Moscow Circus, has been given an Honorary Membership in the IJA. The presentation was made on December 22 at the conclusion of the evening performance at Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden, in New York City. Ignatov was presented with a certificate, a membership card, and a pin by Dennis Soldati, IJA president. Dick Francis (Franco), a past IJA president and professional juggler, assisted Dennis with the presentation. This award was given in recognition of Sergei Ignatov's world-renowned juggling achievements that have placed him among the greatest jugglers of all time. "Ignatov Honored by IJA" (IJA Newsletter, January-February 1978)

David Kendall had the distinct honor of juggling at a White House picnic this past summer. President Carter watched for 10-15 minutes and told David that he enjoyed his act very much. David also spoke with Amy and Mrs. Carter. (IJA Newsletter, January-February 1978)

The Fantasy Jugglers (Don and Lana Reed and their drummer) performed at the Londonderry Faire, an annual Boston crafts show, throughout Thanksgiving week last November. Also performing at the Faire were the Persson family from Salem, Mass., who are IJA members but performed clown routines at the Faire, and "Scrub-Board Slim" who plays old-time music, unicycles, and juggles. (IJA Newsletter, January-February 1978).