Penguin Magic is saddened by the loss of magic legend Channing Pollock.

CHANNING POLLOCK, age 79, died of cancer at midnight in his home.

“Channing Pollock is a true legend of magic” -The Magic Circle 2000.

To understand the life of Channing Pollock is to understand the life of a man who changed the course of magic, and became the quintessential magician.

Norm Nielsen has said that Channing “was one of the most influential magicians of our time. When he walked out on stage, his charisma electrified the audience. Handsome and with his technical perfection, he began the trend of dove magic as we know it today.”

Born in 1926, it was on seeing a demonstration of a Svengali deck 21 years later that Channing thought to himself "there was something here" and decided to delve deeper into the world of magic. An advertisement in Genii advertised a "College of Manual Dexterity" (The Chavez School of Magic) and Channing applied.

After performing in such prestigious venues as the Sullivan Show, and the London Palladium, Channing took to mentoring other magicians. Some of the notable magicians Channing worked with and influenced include Shimada, James Dimmare, Johnny Thompson, and Lance Burton. According to most experts, Channing was one of the most influential magicians of the 20th Century.

When asked how he developed his stage image he said "fear made me look sophisticated!"

Channing dressed formally, smiled only at the very end of his act, and inspired magicians around the world. His dashing appearance, serious air, commanding presence and graceful moves left nightclub audiences spellbound. He seemed to have the power to shape doves from air with his bare hands. Magicians everywhere copied his moves.

Channing’s act was filmed in London for the movie European Nights which was shown all over the world. Later he went to Rome and starred in Les 3 Flibustiers, which lead to more movie appearances.

When asked at the Magic circle in 2000 “What does the future hold for magic?” Channing had a very positive outlook and stressed that it all comes down to the character and personality of the magician. When asked what were the true secrets of magic he replied, “they lay in the Heart, Mind, Body and Soul of the magician and his audience.”

He is survived by his wife, Joann and his son, Russell.

For more information on Channing Pollock visit MagicHistorian.