Episode 956

956: Johann Rucker - The Neon Museum

The Magic Word Podcast · Scott Wells with Johann Rucker

February 26, 202651m 16s

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Show Notes

When in Las Vegas, most magicians plan to see shows by other magicians like Mike Hammer, Mac King, David Copperfield, and others. But there are other attractions not to be missed whilst visiting Sin City. One major attraction (in terms of both scope and physical size) is the Neon Museum. Just a few blocks from the downtown Fremont Street Experience lies one of the best kept secrets of the city. As casinos, hotels, motels, coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants turn out their lights for their last time, the glitz lives on at this outdoor museum. It is a feast for the eyes whether you go during the day or night. Both deliver extraordinary visual awe as you view the past to see some of these iconic signs that don’t just live in history but now reside in their own “boneyard.”

This week, Johann Rucker, one of the museum’s curators tells us about the history of the museum and, perhaps why it is of historical importance to magicians.

Among the many signs and lights in the museum lies the statue of Siegfried and Roy. When the Mirage was torn down along with the Secret Garden, that left the statue of the legendary duo standing alone on the Strip. To preserve it from seeing the wrecking ball or local dump (or going in someone’s private museum), the Neon Museum decided to preserve and display it in their outdoor exhibit. Though it has no neon lights adorning or shining on it, it stands now preserved among the rest of the historical landmarks as Siegfried and Roy take their spot in history for the world to see and remember how they changed the face of Las Vegas forever. The official unveiling of the statue is expected to take place on April 25, 2026.

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