Amazing Johnathan headlines an issue of Genii

AN AMAZING FAREWELL -- [Note: This item chronicles AJ's farewell to Peter Pit. It was Peter who originally interested me in the AJ story. If you miss Peter, as I do, you may find this a tad emotional. It's important, I think, in that it sheds light on the warmth and humor of both its subjects.]

Steve: What originally interested me in this story was a comment Peter Pit made, somewhere on the internet, during the last year of his life. He noticed that, at a time when some magic shows in Las Vegas were padding their attendance with comps, you had huge lines of fans trying to get into your show. I'm not certain Peter understood why you were so popular, but I'm interested in your own accounting for your success.

AJ: Really? I thought that he would have. Because Peter told me, the whole time Peter told me that he got it. He understood. After he saw the live show. I don't think he understood why until he saw the live show. If he saw the live show and still didn't understand, then shame on him, because he did nothing but tell me he understood to my face. And I thought he did, because he directed my show. I let him direct my show in Vegas for two months. So I thought of all people, Peter would have. He came around. I didn't like Peter at first. Nobody likes Peter at first. I think that when you get to know Peter, then you love him. But, there's the real heart of a beautiful person in there, and I loved Peter. When he died, I cried like a baby. I think he understood. I think he understood why. Because the show is funny. He understands that I know about comedy. And that there wasn't a funnier show around. He told me that to my face, that he didn't think there was. Peter knew a lot about comedy himself. He knew a lot about - whether he got it through in his show or not, he knew about it. Knowing about it and doing it are two different things. Peter was great. I miss him. I miss him. I did get to make him laugh before he died. That's what Johnny Thompson told me. I was the last one to make Peter Pit laugh before he died. When he was dying in his bed, I got to talk to him. I said, "Peter, guess who was asking about you today?" And he said, "Who?" And I said, "Nobody." And he laughed. He laughed so hard.

April Fool's Day was probably not the smartest day to interview one of the most notorious practical jokers in magic, but that's what I did with the Amazing Johnathan, and the results appeared this month in a sparkling new issue of Genii, shown at the left. Those of you who have seen it (and I hope have read it) know that the piece ran rather long. I bombarded Richard Kaufman with over 20000 words, and I appreciate the space Richard gave me for Johnathan's -- what other word applies? -- amazing story. I am including in this page a couple of items Richard didn't have room for, an Amazing Farewell and a Dewar's Profile-type interview, AJ -- Up Close and Personal. Each in its way adds to the picture of this remarkably sensitive and charismatic performer.