Monday, November 26, 2007

Billy Powell #1


img213, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Received these from Feld Entertainment Vice President Bill Powell, of his late father, Bill Powell Sr.
This particular picture taken on the Cole Show in 1946.

Posted by Buckles at 11/26/2007 06:20:00 AM

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mr. Powell, Jr please share some bio info on your father. While many of us are well aware of your mother, Gee Gee, and her well known reputation I am in the dark on your father's info.
Was he from the business?
Who taught him wire?
The wire photos show excellent tricks; I'm sure he was tops.
Thank you.

26 November, 2007 10:04
Anonymous said...

My father was born to a poor coal mining family in Scottsville, Kentucky and was orphaned at age 10. He lived with an aunt for a short period of time then joined a traveling theatrical troop at an early age. The troupe was know as the Powell family. Among the members was the famous Albert Powell who performed trapeze with Ringling. The patriarch of the family (who's name I cannot recall) noticed my father had a gift for balance and acrobatics and decided to teach him a tight wire routine. He also performed aerial bars and teeterboard.

In his teens the troupe played vaudeville houses and small circuses. During this period he performed aerial bars with another young acrobat, Burt Lancaster, who later went on to become a successful motion picture actor.

Bill Sr. was drafted in the Navy in WW2 and was assigned to a Seabee unit out of Boston that specialized in theatre productions. Among his group was Joe Darion the famed lyricist of Impossible Dream from the Man of La Mancha. While in the Navy he also learned to train Military Police canines.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy he returned to the ring and performed on the tight wire. He eventually became a star performer on Cole Bros and Clyde Beatty Circus. His routine included back and forward somersaults and a "flivas" on the wire. I am told that he was the only performer to successfully complete the "flivas" on a tight wire which involved a forward somersault with a half twist -- or 180 degree turn. The end result of the feat was he would be facing the opposite direction upon landing. In 1945 he met my mother Gee Gee Engesser. They were married in 1946.

He continued to perform the wire routine until around 1954 when his rigging gave way resulting in multiple broken bones and a severe back injury. He recovered from the broken bones but his back was never the same and his performing days were over.

Bill Powell Sr. was also active in the training of Gee Gee's Alaskan dog act. He loved big dogs and did a lot of the prep work for mom as they assembled the act. They toured with the act together from 1953 till 1965 playing all the big circuses, sports shows and numerous television shows. Dad became the manager of the act. They were booked constantly.

In later years Dad returned to his theatre roots and worked at the State Fair Music Hall in Dallas, Texas as a stagehand for numerous touring Broadway productions. He also built many of the sets for the Dallas Opera.

Dad was a tremendous cook and a voracious reader. While he only completed the 7th grade he became quite literate and possessed a vast repository of knowledge on many subjects. He insisted that I complete school thru College and was not really interested to see me performing. He probably saw something or "lack thereof" in my performing skill set and encouraged other pursuits on my behalf.

He retired in 1987 and moved from Texas to Florida after I married. He became great friends with my wife Sherry and doted on his grandson Cory. He passed away in 1995.

26 November, 2007 13:41
Anonymous said...

The tale of a life well lived. Thank you for sharing it.

26 November, 2007 14:29
Anonymous said...

Mr. Powell,

Thank you for sharing such an interesting story. It is fascinating; a true success story.

I would never have guessed that your father was not born into the business with photos of those great tricks.

During the Alaskan Dog act days how did your mother and father stay in touch with all the agents and producers in the time before cell phones, faxes, computers, etc.

Nowadays when you visit the backyard even the Chinese are walking around with cell phones and lap tops.

In the pre-technology days what kind of system did they have so they wouldn't miss a booking?

Many thanks for your time. The blog should have more Celebrity Corners like this one; this one was wonderful.

26 November, 2007 15:21
Anonymous said...

They stayed in touch thru my grandparents who lived full time in Dallas, Texas. They listed an address and phone number on brochures. Dad would call periodically from a pay phone on the road to get any messages.

Things were more simple back in the 50's. The system worked for them and I guess other acts who were highly mobile.

27 November, 2007 07:59
Anonymous said...

Mr. Powell,
Thank you for your time in answering my questions. It's very nice to know that all your years with the Feld syndicate has not made you too hoity-toity to answer questions from those who love show business.
Your viewpoint and experience are unique and I for one appreciate your generosity in sharing your thoughts.

27 November, 2007 09:54
Buckles said...

He also grills a mean filet!

27 November, 2007 09:57

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)