Ali Bongo Passes Away
1929-2009
by Scott Wells, A.I.M.C. with Silver Star
The world of magic and indeed the world of entertainment will be a more solemn place as we mourn the loss of our magical brother, Ali Bongo, "The Shriek of Araby." At the end of January 2009, Bongo (79) collapsed while giving a lecture in Paris. He was taken to the hospital and, while there, suffered a stroke. Bongo was subsequently returned to the United Kingdom and cared for in St Thomas' Hospital, London, where he later died from complications arising from pneumonia on Sunday March 8, 2009. (Read More...)
Ali Bongo suffered a stroke while about to present a lecture in Paris during the last week of January. The Magic Circle Vice-President Jack Delvin reported that Ali was feeling "anxious" while preparing in his hotel room. After arriving at the venue, Ali was waiting backstage, just about to go on, when he fainted and hit his head. He was rushed to a Paris hospital in a fire engine.
He was given medication for an erratic heartbeat and advised that he should be put on a pacemaker. Ali refused to have that operation without first returning home to the UK. He felt well at the time, but the next night in the hospital suffered a stroke from a blood clot in his brain.
The stroke left Bongo's right side paralyzed and caused some problems with his speech. Scans showed the clot gradually responding well to treatment and Ali seemed to be recovering well. His niece, Allison, traveled to Paris to be with him, and he was able to communicate with several magicians and other friends via Allison's cell phone.
Less than a week ago Jack Delvin reported, "I have visited him recently and found his speech improving with considerable mobility on his right side at last. He is now more independent and spends some of his time sitting in an armchair looking at a spectacular view of the Thames. He seems to be much better in himself and is now ready for more visitors."
Then today, March 8, 2009, the magic world learned that complications from pneumonia took his life.
Born William Oliver Wallace in Bangalore, India on December 8, 1929, and reared in Kent, England, this much beloved entertainer was also highly respected as a creator and inventor of many magic effects which appeared in his books. He marketed his first invention at age 16. Among his many inventions was his variation of the Lu Brent "Growing Hat". He also originated a routine for a PomPom Pole which is used by many magicians today. Ali had a recognizable style for his illustrations that filled many books, magazines and catalogues as well as columns which appeared in "The Magic Circular" over the years. His books include The Bongo Book (1966), Be a Magician (1979), and Ali Bongo's Book of Magic (1980).
Ali Bongo had his own TV series featuring children's magic and was the presenter of the Ali Bongo's Cartoon Carnival which featured himself and his assistant Oscar. It aired on UK TV BBC1 on Saturdays between October 23, 1971, and December 18, 1971, a total of nine episodes. Bongo was featured in an episode of Children's TV show Rainbow and appeared in the science-fiction show The Tomorrow People in the serial "Revenge of Jedikiah". He also acted as the magical advisor to 70's cult TV show in the UK, Ace of Wands.
In later years he was a magic consultant for many television shows and musicals including David Nixon, Paul Daniels and others that aired on the BBC. He, along with David Berglas and others also helped provide consulting for the magic performed in the movie Casino Royale that starred Orson Welles.
Ali Bongo was a past president of the I.B.M. Ring and a winner of the prestigious British Ring Shield in 1964; The Magic Circle "Magician of the Year" Award in 1972; the Academy of Magical Arts "Best Lecturer of the Year" Award in 1975, and; the David Berglas Award in 1991. The Academy of Magical Arts presented Ali Bongo with a Masters Fellowship in 1993 and also that year won the 1993 Carlton Award for Comedy. On September 8, 2008 and was elected President of The Magic Circle.
Some may not know that Ali claimed to be a direct descendent of William Wallace, perhaps better known to U.S. audiences as the central character in the movie, "Braveheart". He derived his stage name from his native India which was known as "Pongolia", hence "Pongo" or rather, "Bongo".
Ali Bongo was always a smiling face at I.B.M. conventions. He was personable, congenial and always accessible. He would offer advice and loved all things magic. We enjoyed him as a guest speaker one year at our Merlin Breakfast. Ali regaled us with stories and amusing anecdotes from his many years in magic. He also displayed us his creative musical talents by singing an original ditty. So, here for the last time, please enjoy, "A Little Touch of Magic" by Ali Bongo. Just click the Play button below.
Aloha and farewell, our good and gracious friend.
Credit for content from Magic and Magicians by T.A. Waters, Wikipedia, "Bart Whaley's Who's Who in Magic", "Brief Biographies" on www.magicnook.com and Stan Allen of "MAGIC Magazine".
