Sideshow Madame

DATE: Aug 13, 2007   PHOTOGRAPHER: Alissa

NICOLELEE SAYS: “Zona Corazon supplied the staff at the Hell City Tattoo Festival in 2006 with authentic sideshow banners, each unique piece depicted a different physical abnormality. In addition to the banners, Mr. Corazone was willing to donate something VERY intriguing: Lobster Boy's calling booth.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1937, Grady Stiles Jr - aka, Lobster Boy, named so for his claw-like extremities - traveled across the country for over 40 years as a part of one of the world's biggest traveling carnivals. After his murder in 1992, the calling booth was locked away in storage and unused. Until I stood behind it...

Welcome to the Sideshow and the Land of the Bizarre.”