by darealdeal » Jul 26th, '22, 12:10
Me and Barry Gordon were very good friends and I used to visit him at least twice a week. We’d spend days talking about magic and practicing tricks. He wasn’t a particularly tall man, wore glasses and used to smoke roll-ups. Always wore a collar shirt, white or cream. I initially visited to buy tricks when I found his details in a book at the library. I was looking where to buy magic tricks from. We later became great friends through my regular visiting and buying lots of his props and items. He taught me many of his techniques which I used in various shows and acts. He was very knowledgeable on all aspects of magic and its history. One of his bedrooms at the back of the bungalow was converted into his office where he conducted his day-today life and magic business. I got acquainted with many magic hobbyists and professionals quite a few times as I was there often. From his office you could see out into his quiet secluded back garden. We’d spend many a summer evenings having a tea or coffee whilst indulging in a Mr. Kipling slice or two, with perhaps a magic dealer video on the small portable TV/video combi or a taped video of The Paul Daniels Magic Show. His back office contained a lot of various close-up items, his computer (a Spectrum then and Amstrad CPC6128). He used to write his magic catalogue on a typewriter at first but then converted over to the computer. The front dining room was where he kept his ‘shop’ area for when guests wanted to see magic props and maybe a few demonstrations. It was a neater, tidier affair than the back office where he spent his time, sat mostly in his office chair surrounded by boxes of magic items, shelves and a couple of soft chairs for people.
I enjoyed many years, spring, summer, autumn and cold winter days visiting Barry. We had a few coffee mornings and lunches together; he was such an honourable friend. We talked a lot about things, not just magic. He was never married or had kids (none that he knew of he’d say). He never talked about women much, he’d mention the odd story or two here and there but I think his life was dedicated to magic. I never got to know how old he was. I asked him on a few occasions and he make some quip about he’d forgotten. He rarely used his front sitting room and it was always clean, tidy and ready for any visitors. We exchanged lots of favours and I would always cut his three lawns, a small one at the front of the bungalow, a large side lawn and the back garden one. He would continue to help my magic flourish with lots of lessons on close-up and stage techniques. I learned a lot from Barry and still to this day have a lot of notebooks where I was forever scribbling down his wisdom and slick techniques. We went to conventions and dinners together with other magic colleagues and always ended back at Barry’s place for fish and chips to end the evening. He liked a dollop of HP brown sauce with his chippy supper or even a splash of Worcester Sauce.
My family invited him over for Christmas dinner one year as I don’t think he went anywhere and he seemed to be by himself pretty much around this time of the year. I think he had a couple of sister in Epping. In his garage was a burgundy Reliant Robin (Silver Jubilee version) which he used occasionally. We used to go in it and pick up some magic props that were for sale from widows. Later years it would not be used at all due to his mobility becoming restricted. It was his legs, although he did still manage to get about the bungalow by walking upright but was much slower. As the years went on Barry went out less often getting me to do some shopping for him at the Asda superstore in Great Barr. He’d still maintain his magic business, see lots of people at his bungalow and visit the Blackpool convention when he could. However as he wasn’t moving around as much I felt this led to his health worsening. On the surface he was his normal character but as we know what goes on inside is a different matter.
It was one regular Sunday morning when I went to visit. I’d got my magic briefcase full of close-up stuff as I always did to take with me. I pulled up on the drive and got out. I rang the doorbell and walked in through the bungalow side entrance. Barry always left the side door unlocked and those that ‘knew’ could simply ring the bell and walk right in. He was okay with that (if he knew you was coming). Well, as I went through the kitchen into the hall to make my way into his office to greet him as I always did I was met by shock as I saw Barry lying across the hallway, motionless. He had passed away that morning. It was 1992. I never knew the cause of his death but I think he lost his balance and fell, hitting his head as he was a little unsteady on his feet towards the end.
I remember that day very clear, like yesterday. Well, the police were called and obviously no suspicious circumstances. His funeral was a private affair for family. His bungalow was sold off, I don’t know what happened to all of his magic inventory. From that ill-fated day onwards I sort of lost that magic zest. I still impress the odd friend or hotel guest if I’m on holiday but that’s about it. I do have some video footage somewhere in one of my boxes of Barry in his office, sat on his chair doing a magic trick. He was an interesting chap…