Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Gunther Gebel Williams


This is how we remember Gunther and "Kongo" and I must admit, he was truly kissed by the Gods.
When he first came over and we all debated his talents, the elephant trainers decided that he was basically a cat and horse trainer, on the other hand, the cat trainers announced that he was a horse and elephant trainer and so forth. But it didn't take long before I started concluding the arguments by saying "Gentlemen, 100 years from now, Circus Historians will record us as minor personalities during the Gunther Gebel Williams Era".
Today I will even go so far as to say that those same Historians will also record that his death and the death of The Greatest Show on Earth will coincide precisely.

Posted by Buckles at 2/15/2006 06:16:00 AM

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think this happens when you depend on one person to do everything and they have complete control. Small humans had the tendency to be controling to make up for their small stature. He was good for himself and the circus while he lasted. If show performers had a choice they would rather work with the Woodcocks where everyone was given credit for their work. How many friends did he have among other performers. How many do you have Buckles? I don't think he cared.

15 February, 2006 07:14
Anonymous said...

I remember going to the Ringling show with Jules Jacot so we could give our review on Gunther. I played an elephant guy and Jules was certainly a cat guy. We came to the same opinion Buckles stated. His acts were different and entertaining but didn't do too much. Then the finale. It was a BIG show and the finale took a while. I kept looking for Gunther, thought maybe he got to blow the finale, then he made his appearance. Standing on Kongo, waving to the audience, it was special -- he was a great performer.

As to how many friends: I never met him for probably twenty years. He was always sweeping or doing something I didn't want to interupt. In his book he said the first time you meet him he'll say hello and move on, if you meet again he visit. Ted S. introduced us and he said hello and a little small talk and left. I showed up the next day, he greeted me and from then on was always nice.

15 February, 2006 07:33
Bob Cline said...

Buckles and Gang,
My father living in Ohio and Myself down here in South Carolina both had the experience as Jim A. just related. Meet him once and OK Bye, The second time he was friendly. In my instance, having my own tigers, he pulled up a bale of hay in the elephant tent and said make yourself at home. We spoke for maybe fifteen or twenty minutes before someone called him for something else.
As to Buckles comment about going so far as to say that when we lost Gunther, we lost the Greatest Show on Earth, Buckles didn't have to go too far to say that. It's right in front of us all right now. Evidence the blue unit. Need I say more?
Bob

15 February, 2006 08:20
Anonymous said...

I did not mean to come off slaming the man. He was great for the Circus. Like a lot of animal people. he preferred their company. I can relate to that. We all know how much work is needed to care for them. It just seemed like he thought he had to do it all himself. Been there done that. He was for the public to enjoy and that worked for him. He did not need to be adored by his peers. The public is what made him happy. If you can say he was a happy man. He was with his animals. Good for him. He was a personality for the good of the circus. Its a shame he took it with him along with the RBBB.

15 February, 2006 08:36
Anonymous said...

What has happened to Kongo? Retire? Where is Kongo? Thank you.
--ToddP

15 February, 2006 09:28
Buckles said...

She died several years ago.

15 February, 2006 09:37
Anonymous said...

Buckles you are truly a kind and gentle man.

15 February, 2006 11:28
Buckles said...

That's what I've been telling my wife for 47 years but she won't listen.

15 February, 2006 11:48
Anonymous said...

I saw Gunther at CW the day he came and took Stretch the giraffe away; he was taller than me.

15 February, 2006 12:36
Anonymous said...

Having clowned on the Red w/ Gunther for three years I can say that Gunther was a pisser. He really didn't seem to care for people as much as he did animals, (unless they were very well endowed) but I was good friends with Henry Schroer (Goober's cuz) and I got to know Gunther better than most clowns on the show. I think that the only reason he had any respect for me at all was because I never took a day off.

He was unique and the fact that half of his ringstock were german and half were Britts caused many a Saturday night reinactment of WWII. Those were the salad days.

Buckles, I am sorry that we never worked together. I always heard wonderful things about you... What ever happened to Wolfgang Holzmaier?

15 February, 2006 13:46
Buckles said...

I asked someone that question not long ago and was surprised to learn that he and Roland Kiser were big buddies and Wolfgang would often spend time visiting the Vargas Show.
Every year he would have to straighten out the pony drill. Didn't he work a liberty act on the Red Show?
Another guy whose act I enjoyed was Pablo Noel.

15 February, 2006 13:59
Anonymous said...

Buckles:
Wolfgang Holzmair came from the Circus Amar in France. Arrived at the Red Unit in 1970 and presented his lion act through 1976. In 1972, 73, 74, he presented liberty horses in an end ring. And in 1975 and 1976, he presented liberty horses in the center ring, and his daughter Silvana presented a liberty act in an end ring.
--ToddP

15 February, 2006 14:22
Buckles said...

In the Spring of 1977 after it had been determined that we would take the Ringling Park elephants on the Blue Show, I received a call from Irvin Feld who asked if I had ever seen the new Garden, which I hadn't.
So they flew me up there for a day or so and I got to see Gunther at his best.
One night the Garden was packed and like a football game, people had draped signs over the railings with things like "Gunther we love you".
Who ever would have thought that 24 years later he couldn't even be buried in peace without a few AR demonstrators.

15 February, 2006 14:58
Buckles said...

When Cindi and Roy Wells were on the Red Show, she had to drive Gunther some place to pick up something.
The Swamp Molly behind the counter right away said "I know who you are, you're that famous blonde tiger trainer, I can't remember your name".
Gunther thanked her and as they were leaving she shouted "I remember now.
You're Sigfried and Roy!"

15 February, 2006 15:22
Anonymous said...

I was blown away by Pablo Noel. His gun play and 'Lion Dive' was a great closer.

16 February, 2006 00:44
Anonymous said...

I used to watch Silvana present her liberty act and I can attest to the fact that Wolfgang was never very far away. He used to love snapping his whip at my feet and watch my partner and me jump up and down. I now have a 19 year old daughter... enough said.

16 February, 2006 00:49
Anonymous said...

After Gunther it seemed like every cage act presenter had bleached hair. Male and female.

16 February, 2006 07:44
GaryHill said...

As long as I knew Jewel New, (71)he had his golden locks. His bro was a red head. Both very pale complexions. Gary

16 February, 2006 08:26
Anonymous said...

Hey! I am the clown in the picture. I am on the right turning left. I didn't even notice before.

16 February, 2006 19:59
FIBiz said...

He is recently dead. ...

23 May, 2016 18:54
Chic Silber said...


Kongo was euthanized in August

of 2000 in Williston at age 54

& Gunther died in Venice in

July of 2001 at the age of 66

23 May, 2016 22:47

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