The Secret Life of Siegfried and Roy: The Scandalous Story Behind The Men Who Changed Las Vegas » (Illustrate)

The Secret Life of Siegfried and Roy reveals the touching, little-known story of how two youngsters founded a friendship, a franchise, and a tempestuous on-and-off love affair that would last a lifetime.

From their humble beginnings in war-torn Germany, larger-than-life Tiger Kings Siegfried & Roy roared into Las Vegas and tamed Sin City like no act before them. Their mind-blowing illusions captivated the world and broke box-office records. In just one decade at The Mirage, their magical extravaganza, featuring rare white tigers, lions and elephants, grossed an astounding half a billion dollars.

Then, in one tragic instant, their world came crashing down. On October 3, 2003, animal-lover Roy Horn was savagely attacked onstage by his 600-pound white tiger, Montecore. Beating back death's icy grip after he literally "died" on the operating table, dark-haired Roy fought for survival as blond doppelganger Siegfried watched and prayed. Suddenly, the show was over...or was it?

In the spotlight as never before, Roy's mauling triggered the press' relentless investigation into the secret world of these Las Vegas icons. For the first time ever, author Louis Mydlach-at Roy's side throughout his traumatic recovery-describes in detail the agonies of rehabilitating the partially paralyzed performer.

Siegfried & Roy dazzled audiences' eyes for decades as they masterfully hid a lifetime of secrets. Key players in the duo's inner circle-Louis Mydlach, his security chief father Jim Mydlach, and show consultant Jimmy Lavery-finally unravel the untold story: The life of Siegfried & Roy was their ultimate illusion.

Publishers Weekly

In this light biography of Siegfried and Roy, the authors note that the entertainers kept their intimate lives private, leaving little for would-be biographers to reveal. Jim Mydlach, the duo's security officer for 25 years, his son Louis Mydlach, Roy's bodyguard after the tiger mauling in 2003, and Jim Lavery, longtime show consultant, pad their account with collateral material—the rise of the big Vegas hotels, Siegfried and Roy's various homes, parks and animal purchases, the vogue for "white" wild animals, the construction of a dolphin attraction at the Mirage and Liberace's sexual proclivities. Occasionally, they include actual Siegfried and Roy gossip, but it's in a coy, wink-wink voice: "Insiders say beefcakes, not cupcakes, trigger their sexual appetites." While the authors try for a balanced narrative, it comes to light at the end that two of the authors have significant problems with their subjects. Louis sued Siegfried over his treatment of Roy, and Lavery sued Roy after he manipulated Lavery's lifelong girlfriend into ditching him. This isn't a comprehensive study of the work of Siegfried and Roy, but fans will still have fun with it. (June)

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Introduction: Finale     V
Viva Las Vegas!     1
Once Upon a Time in Germany...1939     13
Talk with the Animals     25
The Magic Begins     33
Crowning the Tiger Kings     43
Star Billing     71
A New Frontier     87
Little Bavaria     97
The Do-Good Boys     103
The Strip Strikes     111
The Jungle Palace     127
SARMOTI     143
Day of the Dolphin     167
The World's Most Exclusive Pet Cemetery     183
Fight to Survive     193
Liberace     221
Acknowledgments     241
Bibliography     243