In Part 2 of our interview with Mike Panozzo, Legends of the Cue steps into the pool world of the early 1980s — a time when the billiard industry was struggling, professional pool was still searching for stability, and a young journalist from Chicago was learning the game one tournament, one poolroom and one unforgettable character at a time.

Mike describes what Billiards Digest Magazine looked like in 1980: a small, mostly black-and-white, bi-monthly publication covering tournaments, players, room owners, retailers and manufacturers. He recalls how the industry operated, how closely bowling and billiards were once connected, and how the magazine became a window into every corner of cue sports.

This episode features Mike’s memories of legendary players including Mike Sigel, Buddy Hall, Irving Crane, Willie Mosconi, Luther Lassiter, Joe Balsis, Jimmy Caras, Lou Butera, Jim Rempe, Jimmy Mataya and Minnesota Fats. His story about traveling to interview Fats in southern Illinois is classic pool history — funny, revealing and slightly exhausting.

Mike also shares his first impressions of Buddy Hall’s effortless cue ball control, Mike Sigel’s flair and star quality, and the early tournament rooms where regional and national talent collided. Mark Wilson adds perspective from inside that same era, recalling the Illinois Billiard Club and the deep fields of elite American players.

The episode then turns to the seismic impact of The Color of Money, Martin Scorsese’s 1986 film starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. Mike explains how the movie created a national pool boom, sparked new room openings, boosted manufacturers, lifted magazines, and changed the commercial landscape of billiards for more than a decade.

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come.

Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.

Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”