Gunther Gebel-Williams- Iowa Newspaper

Gunther Gebel-Williams.1 - Iowa Newspaper, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Henry Penndorf Today, September 12, would have been Gunther Gebel-Williams seventy-sixth birthday. I can never forget that date, my wife shares her birthday (different year) with Gunther. Phylis claims that is probably the reason why I married her. To me Gunther was a "rock star". I became a big fan of his the very first time I saw him perform. I was fond of telling people that when I grow up I want to be Gunther Gebel-Williams. The first time I saw Gunther perform was when he made his American debut at Madison Square Garden with the newly created Red Unit of Ringling Brothers in 1969. I have always been a fan of cage acts, but I knew watching Gunther I was watching something and someone special. It w! as also the first time that I had ever seen a "natural enemies" act. I remember looking for Gunther when the performers took their final bows. I didn't see him. My disappointment was short lived. The herd of elephants were lead into the Garden at a gallop, and there was Gunther standing atop the first elephant. I was in awe. In the past there have been discussions as on this blog and others as to who was the better trainer, or who was the bigger star, Gunther or Clyde Beatty. I can't comment on that since I never saw Clyde Beatty perform in person, only in videos. I do believe there has never been a more athletic, versatile, or charismatic performer in the history of the circus than Gunther. I think Gunther also had an almost impish, playful quality about him that endeared him to his fans and friends. You could see in his face the joy that he got fr! om performing. When he was performing in the great cage, the arena was electric. He had a way of connecting with each person in the arena on an almost individual basis. In introducing Gunther to America, the 99th Edition Program said, "name an animal, any animal, and chances are that Gunther Gebel-Williams has successfully trained it". Gunther had a sense of humor...I remember reading an interview with Gunther. The interviewer asked Gunther what was the most dangerous act that he performs, Gunther's answer, liberty horses. Gunther went on to explain the inherent danger. He said I'm in the center ring with a group of liberty horses, while in the rings on either side of me are my wife, and my ex-wife presenting two other groups of liberty horses. Looking through my circus clippings I enjoyed the titles that the media bestowed on Gunther, "Mr. Circus", "Lord Of The Ring", "The Nureyev Of The Circus" and a personal favorite, "The Golden Gladiator". According to Dominique Jando's "Circopedia", Gunther was named AGVA's 1973 "Artist Of The Year". Does anyone know if Gunther is the only circus performer to be so honored? Gunther defined the word "superstar". He was a performer whose fame far exceeded the boundaries of the big top. Even non circus fans knew the name Gunther Gebel-Williams. As I was told some time ago by a very wise man, "Gunther was truly touched by the Gods". I feel I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Gunther. I had been given a copy of Gunther's biography, "Untamed", as a gift by a friend. The Red Unit was appearing at the Garden, so I brought my book with me to see if I could get it signed. I was down on the arena floor during the pre-show. I asked a clown if he thought Gunther would sign my book. The clown told me to wait there. I sat down on an elephant t! ub and waited. A few moments later I saw Mark Oliver walking tow ards me. When Mark Oliver came up to me, he said that his father would like me to come back to the Garden's Rotunda were he was getting ready for the show's upcoming performance. Mark Oliver led me there. To get to Gunther we walked between two elephants. When we emerged, there was Gunther, in costume, with a huge smile. As he signed my book, Gunther joked that he was signing it a little large because he didn't have his glasses. We talked for brief time. I asked him if I could take a picture of him. Gunther called over one of the elephant handlers, handed him my camera and I had a picture of Gunther and me. We shook hands and I was escorted back to the arena. The book and the picture are treasured parts of my circus collection. I'll never forget that moment. The attached pictures are not the usual pictures that we have all seen of Gunther. These pictures come from my collection of ! circus newspaper clippings. The quality of the pictures are a little less than desired, but I still think they are great shots. The oldest of the pictures that I included is from forty-one years ago. Finally, from the world of You Tube a four minute video of a young Gunther presenting his "natural enemies" act while he was still performing for the German Circus Williams. If you look closely at the video you will also get a brief glimpse of Gunther's first wife, Jeanette, and Henry Schroer. The video commentary is in Italian. Here is a link to that video... YouTube - Gunther Gebel Williams