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The original troupe came from the great
Pacific Northwest and performed over 300
live shows in a dozen countries. They
came together to revive an old art form,
which had been nearly lost but not
forgotten. They shocked two million
people and even seduced the electronic
media that in another era had shunned
their kind. And who were they?
The Amazing Mister Lifto performed a
strange and scandalous update of an
ancient Saduh act.
The Torture King brought back classic
Sideshow feats and caused the most
faints with his phobia-inducing Human
Pincushion act.
Slug The Sword Swallower and his Human
Terrarium act evolved into a modern
version of The Wild Man of Borneo and
The Great Omi.
And then there was Matt The Tube
Crowley, the inventive pharmacist from
Montana. Besides his strongman feats,
Matt created a truly new act: a
blue-collar hit called "Gavage."
Dolly The Doll Lady provided the
inestimable link to the past.
Leading the Human Marvels was the
maniacal hype master himself: Jim Rose,
with his wife and assistant, Bebe The
Circus Queen.
Before rock-and-roll there was Sideshow,
which also mystified, disgusted and
enraged those who didn't get it. When
the two came together, it caused screams
and faints for a brand new generation.
And when it all came my way, I wasn't
quite ready to pack my bag and jump on
board. But who ever is?

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