Few magicians have performed for one million total audience members. But over a nearly three-decade Vegas headlining career, Lance Burton performed for roughly fifteen million. Burton, known as a “Master Magician,” is a modern superstar who has largely faded from the limelight since he retired in September 2010. Where is he now, and why is he so important to magic?
Who is Lance Burton?
Burton is one of the most famous magicians in the world. Originally hailing from Columbia, Kentucky (the same state as his Vegas counterpart and close friend, Mac King), Burton quickly rose to stardom in the early 1980s.
Burton performed on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson ten times (making his first appearance at age 21), and five times on the show with Jay Leno. And at the young age of 22, he won the FISM Grand Prix and the title of “World Champion of Magic” in 1982. He is also the two-time recipient of the famous “Magician of the Year” from the Academy of Magical Arts.
Burton had numerous TV specials, starting with “Lance Burton Master Magician” on NBC in 1996.
Where Did Lance Burton Perform in Vegas?
Burton got his start in Vegas at age 22–right after he could legally drink at his own show. He performed for 9 years at the Tropicana Hotel, 5 at the Hacienda, and 14 at the Monte Carlo. He estimates that he performed between 15 and 16 thousand shows for 15 million people, a truly extraordinary number.
What Did Lance Burton Perform in His Show?
Burton was one of the last in an era of traditional stage magic. Known for his dove act and large-scale illusions, Burton was a classy, polished, well-dressed magician. That style is certainly fading–rarely will you see a magician in a tuxedo anymore.
