In 1980, shortly after his 20th birthday, he was awarded a 'Gold Medal of Excellence' from the International Brotherhood of Magicians. : 196 In 1977, as a teenager, Burton entered his first magic competition and won first prize. Another of Burton's influences was his mentor Channing Pollock, who influenced Burton's card manipulation and use of doves. His first performances were for neighborhood children, charging them a nickel each.Ĭollins, a full-time magician, noticed the interest, and became his mentor when Burton was in his teens, teaching him the fundamentals of the trade. It contained ten tricks, all of which young Burton quickly learned. The young Burton was fascinated, and a neighbor, hearing of his interest, gave him a book, Magic Made Easy, which her own (then-grown) children had used. The trick was The Miser's Dream, where Collins 'pulled silver dollars out of the sky' and Burton's ears.
Professional history īurton first became interested in magic at the age of 5, when he was one of the volunteers at a magic show of Magician Harry Collins. He performed more than 15,000 shows in Las Vegas for over 5,000,000 people until retiring after 31 years in 2010.
William Lance Burton (born March 10, 1960) is an American stage magician.
