The Original "Magic Mike"

I was looking around on the Internet the other day and I decided to type in "Felix, the Italian Stallion".
I was surprised to find him.  Turns out he's the original "Magic Mike"!
(From the movie). He danced 27 years from 1974 to 2002!
And coming out with a book too! Good for him and I wish Felix well!

After our show ended at the Crazy Horse sometimes some of us would hang out.  Once or twice we went around to the other side of the building and watched the girls dance.  Sometimes we'd go across Biscayne Boulevard and grab some breakfast.  One time we went, I was with Schottzi, and Neal was with Shadow, who he had been seeing lately.  She was interesting...all covered with tattoos and a piercing or two...something you didn't usually see in 1979. There were some other dancers also but I don't remember who.  I was thinking to my self...wow these girls are just like ordinary girls even though they're strippers!...probably that's what girls thought about us when they got to know us...wow,

Roger's just like an ordinary guy even though he's a male stripper!!!

The Crazy Horse Dancers

I had a great time working at the Crazy Horse Saloon.  It was great to be in "Show Business"! The guys I worked with were OK...Felix the Italian Stallion had a black leather outfit with chains and a whip.  Neal was cool.  He did some magic in his act.  He juggled sometimes too. Jake did a floor show laying on a furry bearskin.  One guy looked like Chuck Mangioni...
danced to one of his songs, also to Exile: "Kiss You All Over". Frank wore a tuxedo that was totally machine washable! One of his songs was "He's The Greatest Dancer" and maybe he was...he would jump up and come crashing down into the splits, not once but two or three times!  You could hear the loud noise all the way back to the dressing room!  Whenever I was up next I knew by the sound, I just had a minute or so to be ready to go.  Another guy who was touring came in for a few days; Jack did an Elvis act..but I think I remember he didn't go down to nothing out of 'respect'  for Elvis! I ran into him a few years later at "Nudes-a-Poppin' " at the Ponderosa Sun Club in Roselawn, Ind.  I competed there several years, (winning a couple of awards)

but this time I was in the audience and he was on the stage.....I yelled and waved "Hey Jack, I'm still  dancing!!!
I met a lot of girls at our shows  and dated many of them.  I loved being  in Florida and dancing at the "legendary" Crazy Horse Saloon!!

Roger Houston Photo Collection

Some Memories Of The Crazy Horse...Visiting The Mountain Lion

Several of us guys and some of our girlfriends went to one of Felix's friend's house out in the country.  He had some land and a nice house with a swimming pool, but the reason we went out there was to see his pet mountain lion.  He was a real big one!  He lived in a very large cage outside that probably extended into the house.  I forgot his name but I thought he was somewhat tame, at least towards his owner.  It was a fun day.

Felix's friend also had a swimming pool and some the half dozen or so guests had a nice swim and did some diving off the diving board!  On this picture I'm getting ready to do a perfect dive... (I hope!)

After seeing the mountain lion, swimming, and a light lunch, we left and I took my date home and spent a nice evening with her.

Roger Houston On The Cover Of Miami Magazine!!!

One night I was dancing at the Crazy Horse and I had something great happen to me!  This girl came up to me after my show and said she saw me onstage and she decided I was the one she wanted for a photo shoot.  Her name was Linda and she worked for Miami Magazine.  They were doing a story about singles and dating.  Anyway she wanted me for the cover and an inside picture.  Of course I said YES!
So I met her and a photographer and four attractive young ladies the next day at Kennedy Park and had some pictures taken.  Had fun!
Soon after the magazine was out.  I remember  going to Winn-Dixie and seeing my picture at all the checkout counter magazine racks...what a trip!

My 1st magazine cover 

& the inside  picture 

Lynyrd Skynyrd Band Member Does A "Guest Dance"!!

I don't remember much but one of the guys from the band comes into the club.  He might have known somebody or was next door watching the girls and wandered over!?...anyway he ends up doing a guest dance.  He was on the stage but I don't  remember what songs he danced to or anything but he didn't strip all the way like we did and then afterwards he says he gives us a lot of credit...it wasn't that easy to get up there and dance like that!

The Bee Gees Visit The Crazy Horse!

One night the Bee Gees came to the Crazy Horse Saloon!  I think they were recording at Criteria Studios nearby and were living in Miami Beach. They were sitting on the south side of the room with their wives or girlfriends.  Just two of the group were there but that was good enough for us!  I don't remember if anyone else was with them.  Some or most of the guys danced to at least one of their songs.  I danced to "Night Fever".  It was great!  Felix ("The Cat")/("The Italian Stallion") went over to talk to the Bee Gees but they weren't that friendly...he came back and was kind of unhappy! Later the Bee Gees had to use the men's room and I was two or three feet from them in our narrow hallway!  They looked kinda tall or maybe I was psyched out because they were such big stars!

Songs I Used To Dance To

Songs I used to dance to at the Crazy Horse Saloon (late 1978 to mid-1979, about 6 months.

"Got To Be Real"...Cheryl Lynn
"Night Fever"...Bee Gees
"Hot Child In The City"...Nick Guilder
"Boogie Oogie Oogie"...Taste Of Honey
"Magnet and Steel"...Walter Egan
"Used To Be My Girl"...O'Jays
"Shadow Dancing"...Andy Gibb
"Champagne Jam"...Atlanta Rhythm Section
"Miss You"...Rolling Stones

Our Club Crazy Horse

We had a small dressing room and we just found a place to hang our coat hangers or garment bags.  I never had anything special for the stage in the six months I was at the Crazy Horse.  I just had a suit or two.
There were, I think, 8 or 10 dancers and although the room was small, it didn't matter, because we could go out and visit with the girls as they watched the show.

The stage at the Crazy Horse Saloon was about 12x12 with 3 or 4 stairs going up to it.  There were colored lights underneath it that flashed and 4 or 5 chairs on each of the four sides.  There was a narrow place all around for the ladies' drinks.
There were some mirrors on the walls and tables and chairs and the bar on one side where the waiters would get the drinks.
The room was just big enough and the sound system was good.
On the South side of the building with another entrance was the room where the girls danced.
On 3 or 4 sides of the building was a gravel covered parking lot.  Biscayne Blvd. ran along the East side.

It was great working at the Crazy Horse Saloon!
First of all I liked the fact that the club was named after the famous "Le Crazy Horse Saloon" in Paris.  It was opened in 1951 by Alain Bernadin.  I remember when I was much younger, hearing or reading about the club.
Second, it was great to be working in South Florida.
Third, I was in "show business"! And I liked dancing and singing!
Fourth, I liked Girls!

Taken by a lady named Rae who I met at The Crazy Horse Saloon

Crazy Horse Saloon

I was lucky to get a dancing job at the Crazy Horse Saloon in South Florida.  I got into the business at the beginning of male stripping. I was 33 years old and on a kind of a long vacation.  I had my van so where ever I parked I was comfortable.
I started work at the club around 8 and finished about 4 am, 5 or so Fri. and Sat.
I think I did about 4 to 6 sets a night, 3 songs off the jukebox per set. I can't remember if we worked 6 or 7 nights a week.
I was at the Crazy Horse for about 6 months.
I really enjoyed my time there.

Roger In The Park At The Bluegrass Concert

The only other problem when I started dancing was I got a bit distracted by the audience.  I was not used to dancing for people and also was not sure of my dance moves.  I solved the problem by always choosing music I really liked or loved and then I would close my eyes and concentrate on the music.  It worked...my body moved to the music. I closed my eyes often at first and later not as much. Then soon I could look at the ladies and put on a good show!

Roger Houston: A Day In The Country

I went to the forest preserves with my girlfriend and my buddy from our dance group and his wife.

We had a little picnic and got some sun and fresh air.

The Roger Houston Poster: "Roger Houston The Dragon Slayer"