By Chuck Darrow
The use of “magic” in rock music has been so pervasive for so long (we’re talking a half-century-plus) that it’s almost cliché. Indeed, to compile a list of every song whose title includes the word would be daunting, if not downright impossible. But just to refresh your memory, such a roster would include “Do You Believe in Magic?” by The Lovin’ Spoonful; “Black Magic Woman” (by Fleetwood Mac and, more famously, Santana); “Magic Man” (Heart); “Magic Carpet Ride” (Steppenwolf) and the Ozempic-revived “Magic” (Pilot).
But rock ‘n’ roll being incorporated into magic? That is exponentially rarer. However, that’s exactly the path magician Leon Etienne has taken.
“So what happened was, I was a traditional magician wearing a suit, top hat and tails,” explained Etienne, whose “Magic Rocks” extravaganza tonight opens a four-day, six-show run at the Sound Waves theater inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, during a recent phone chat. “I was probably about 18; I was a rock fan, but not totally at this point. And then one day I was introduced to the band, Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
“And I love Christmas, and I love rock ‘n’ roll. And when I saw that show, I was like, ‘Oh my God! They’ve basically taken classic Christmas music and just rocked it completely.’ And at that moment in my brain, a light went on. I went, ‘Wait a second, dude, you don’t have to wear a suit and coat and tie, and you can go rock with this.’ And so basically, ‘Magic Rocks’ was born at that moment, at my first Trans Siberian Orchestra concert.
“I’m a huge fan. I’ve since been to over 40 shows of theirs. I’m just inspired by them for whatever reason.”
Not that the seasonal sensations are the only source of for the “Magic Rocks” soundtrack. “I love rock and I love Christmas, but there’s a lot of Linkin Park in the show, there’s Papa Roach, there’s Van Halen, Motley Crue,” said Entienne. “It’s literally a rock ‘n’ roll illusion show. It’s high energy, fast-paced. It’s like a rock concert, but with illusions involved.”
While there are other stage wizards who perform to rock-music tracks, Etienne stands apart because of how the audio part of the show is so carefully integrated with the optics and the overall vibe of the program. But there is likely one aspect of his life that no other magician can claim: He is a lightning-strike survivor.
“I wish I had some fantastic story that something happened to me—that something improved or whatever,” he said with a chuckle, “but I don’t.”
Nonetheless, it’s still an interesting tale.
“I was 13 years old,” recalled the Utica, N.Y. native whose visage is crowned by a vertical thatch of hair bookended by scalp. “It was like a year after I got into magic, and I was playing in a baseball game – I always was a huge sports fan; I still am and try to compete in as many things as I can when our tour allows.
“But I remember I always wanted to be like the big leaguers, which meant I wanted to wear metal spikes. And for whatever reason, in the 13-year-old league, you couldn’t wear metal spikes – at 14 you could start wearing them.
“So, one day I’m playing and a storm comes in, while we’re all on our way back to the dugout, the lightning hits. It gets me, it gets a player next to me and another player as well. And I just vividly remember it was like I just got thrown out of the dugout. It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. And then, I had to go to the hospital and all that stuff.
“But what [the doctor] told me was, ‘Thank God you weren’t a year older.’ And I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ And they’re like, ‘Well, if you had metal spikes on, you’d be dead right now, because it just would conduct the electricity directly through the body.’
“But it’s a great as it turned out. I mean, there are three things that are unique about me: One, the hair. People always remember the hair. Two, they remember the lightning strike. And three, I’m the only magician I actually know that’s allergic to rabbits!”
For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
Oops
Last week’s column erroneously identified the executive pastry chef at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The position is currently held by David Krzewinski.
And while we’re correcting recent mistakes and oversights, the photo of Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen performing at the old Grandstand Under the Stars at Bally’s Grand that accompanied our recent story about the venue was taken by local shooter extraordinaire Tom Briglia.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
