Magic Box

The Magic Box was a brown crate adorned with mystical and cosmic symbols, into which audience members placed song requests which, if drawn, NRBQ would attempt to play, with varying degrees of success. Over time, use of the box evolved into a mini-ritual, with its own set of rules. 1) The band would announce it was time for the Magic Box.  (Usually after one or more teases) 2)  Audience members would put their suggestions on little pieces of paper and add them to the box. 3) The band might vamp while this was going on--at least one live recording exists where they played "Bugler's Holiday" while the box submissions were coming in. 4)  Only written requests would be entertained; shouted requests would be ignored or derided at the band's option. 5)

The box was a regular feature of shows in the 1980s, was eventually retired, and has been revived on rare occasions