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Bill Baird

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Bill Baird
BornWilliam Thomas Keckritz
March 4, 1914
St. Louis, Missouri
DiedAugust 5, 1978 (age 64)
Lansing, Michigan
Resting placeLakeside Cemetery in Colon, Michigan[1]

Bill Baird (1914-1978) was a professional magician best known for his billiard balls manipulation.[2][3]

Biography

His sophisticated and highly polished act played in the major theaters and nightclubs in the United States. The act eventually became a full stage show and revue and was highly acclaimed. His performances lead to a movie role and U.S.O. tours in both world War II and the Korean conflict.[4]

He is the namesake of the "Bill Baird Award" given annually at the Abbott's Magic Convention to the magician who demonstrates outstanding skill in object manipulation.

Awards

References

  1. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7801934
  2. M-U-M, Vol. 68, No. 5, October 1978, BROKEN WANDS, Bill Baird, by Jim Alfredson, page 37
  3. The NEW TOPS, Vol. 18, No. 10, October 1978, Final Curtain - Bill Baird, by C. Verne Bloch, page 13
  4. Genii Magazine, Vol. 42, No. 10, October 1978, Obituaries, Bill Baird, by C. Verne Bloch, page 639
  • Cover, Tops Magazine, Vol. 13, No. 1, January 1948, Bill Baird – “BB” for Billiard Balls!, page 4
  • The Linking Ring, Vol. 39, No. 1, March 1959, First time for everything, especially Bill Baird, by William Weldon, page 37
  • The NEW TOPS, Vol. 18, No. 10, October 1978, A Tribute to Bill Baird, by Kodell, page 48
  • The Linking Ring, Vol. 58, No. 11, November 1978, Bill Baird, Dead at 64, by C. Verne Bloch, page 101
  • Genii Magazine, Vol. 43, No. 5, May 1979, Bill Baird, “The Magnificent Fraud”, by Mike O’Doed, page 349