kevin Cronin, Little Anthony
June 22, 2017
Audio of interviews are posted below (Scroll down)
Iconic Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon Kevin Cronin guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
“Keep On Loving You” rockers REO Speedwagon brought back nearly 40 years of hits at Junefest at Sunset Station last Saturday.
Loosely formed in 1967 playing frat parties at the University of Illinois, REO Speedwagon signed with Epic Records in 1971. The band released nine albums throughout the ‘70s, culminating with the twice-platinum “You Can Tune a Piano but You Can’t Tuna Fish” in 1978.
REO Speedwagon exploded to the top of the charts, setting the bar for other rock bands with their 1980 release “Hi Infidelity.” The colossal hit spent 15 weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling more than 10 million copies. The group’s most commercially successful album, it remained on the charts for 65 weeks and spawned the #1 single “Keep On Loving You” as well as hits “Take It on the Run,” “In Your Letter” and “Don’t Let Him Go.”
The band continued releasing hit albums into the ‘80s, including 1984’s “Wheels Are Turnin’ and its #1 single “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” REO Speedwagon released “Find Your Own Way Home,” their 15th studio album, in 2007. Two years later, they teamed up with fellow Midwestern rockers Styx for the single “Can’t Stop Rockin’,” which became the title track for the groups’ hit summer tour with .38 Special.
The current lineup includes founding member Neal Doughty, iconic lead singer Kevin Cronin, longtime bass player Bruce Hall, former Ted Nugent guitarist Dave Amato and former Wang Chung drummer Bryan Hitt.
Little Anthony & The Imperials
![little-anthony-and-the-imperials[1]](https://www.lasvegasbackstagetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/little-anthony-and-the-imperials1.jpg)
Little Anthony guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Little Anthony and The Imperials are appearing at The Orleans Showroom on June 24, at 8pm.
They were one of the finest vocal groups to emerge from the talent-rich New York scene. Moreover, they enjoyed unusual longevity for an act of that type, having hits in both the Doo-Wop Fifties and the soul-music Sixties. They outlasted their peers by virtue of “Little Anthony” Gourdine’s powerful, beseeching vocals and the consummate professionalism of the Imperials, who mastered a broad range of material and knew how to work a stage.
“Tears on My Pillow,” their first single as the Imperials, was released on End Records. This classic vocal-group ballad was one of the biggest hits of 1958, reaching #2 on the R&B chart and #4 on the pop chart. Little Anthony and the Imperials were suddenly stars. The story might have ended there, with “Tears On My Pillow” fondly recalled as a vocal-group classic from one of the many one-hit wonders from that era. In fact, some of their followup singles did flop, strong as they were. But the group rebounded with an uptempo number, “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop,” that capitalized on a dance craze.
Other hits include “Hurt So Bad,” and “Going Out of my Head.”
They received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and have been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2008, Little Anthony and the Imperials released You’ll Never Know, an album of new songs and rerecorded oldies to celebrate their 50th anniversary as a group.
TweetBobby Vinton, Deana Martin
June 15, 2017
Audio is posted below
Bobby Vinton guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
The last time I saw Bobby Vinton, was many years ago when I was opening for him in Mystic Lake Casino, in Minnesota. I remember being “blown away” with his super high energy performance. He was dancing on tables, and just gave 1000%!
Bobby Vinton. A multi-talented musician, singer and actor, Bobby Vinton has sold more than 75 million albums during his career. In this full-stage musical gala, the “Total Entertainer” pulls out all the stops. Vinton is joined by an orchestra, and family members to sing all his most beloved hits and many more favorites. It’s a dazzling concert event that showcases one of music’s most beloved artists.
Bobby Vinton. Treat yourself to a magical night with Bobby Vinton. “Blue Velvet,” “Roses are Red” and “Mr. Lonely” are just a few of the songs that has Billboard Magazine calling Bobby, the all-time most successful love singer of the “rock era.”
The “Total Entertainer” pulls out all the stops in this full-stage musical gala. It’s a dazzling concert event that showcases one of music’s most beloved artists.
For more about Bobby: bobbyvinton.com
Singer/Entertainer/Deana Martin
Deana Martin fans will love this special show honoring her father, the King of Cool Dean Martin on the anniversary of his 100th birthday. Martin will be performing two spectacular shows as part of her acclaimed Deana Sings Dino concert series, with special guests, The Golddiggers and … who knows who will walk through the “Surprise Guest Door.” Show dates are June 23rd and June 24th in the Showroom at South Point Casino, with show times set for 7:30 p.m.
From the moment she walks on stage, Deana Martin takes her audience on a musical journey with her non-stop dynamic energy celebrating her legendary father Dean Martin and other great performers who shaped American music and popular culture for over four decades. Deana Sings Dino is a totally engaging, classy and contemporary presentation of the most beloved songs of all time, capturing the swinging sophistication associated with her Dad and the Rat Pack. In this electrifying musical revue, Deana sings hot new arrangements of enduring hits like, That’s Amore, Volare, That’s Life, Everybody Loves Somebody, Memories Are Made Of This – songs treasured worldwide by her fans and those of her father, “Uncle Frank” Sinatra and “Uncle Sammy” Davis Jr.
These special shows have all the essentials of classic concert entertainment: the world’s best music, personal and often hilarious recollections from Deana’s life and career, interaction with her audience, plus her innate musicianship. Deana Martin is undeniably authentic – a living connection to the greatest era in entertainment. As an internationally acclaimed entertainer, Deana Martin has become an instantly recognizable voice and figure in the pantheon of The Great American Songbook. Her 2006 debut CD release, Memories Are Made of This, stayed in the top ten for 40 consecutive weeks. Her follow-up CD, 2009’s, Volare, debuted in the top ten of the Billboard charts, followed by 2011’s seasonal evergreen, White Christmas, 2013’s critically acclaimed, Destination Moon, and her latest, 2016’s Swing Street, has garnered airplay on top Jazz, Standards, and Country radio stations, emphasizing her prominent status as a hit recording artist. As a celebrated author, Deana found herself on the New York Times coveted Best Seller list with her 2004 memoir, “Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughters Eyes.” In it, Deana delights in sharing wonderful, never-before-told stories about her father and his Pallies. To her they were known as, Uncle Frank (Sinatra) and Uncle Sammy (Davis, Jr) – to the world, they were known as the Rat Pack.
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Don Felder, Kelly Hansen, Henry Fambrough
June 1, 2017
Audio is posted below
Singer/Songwriter Don Felder, guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Don Felder is appearing at Sunset Station on June 3.
Best-known for his years as lead guitarist for the Eagles, during which time he co-wrote such classic tracks as ‘Hotel California,’ ‘Victim of Love’ and ‘Those Shoes.’ His outro solo with Joe Walsh on ‘Hotel California’ is widely considered one of the most important guitar solos of the rock era.
Felder was fired from the group in 2001 after a number of disputes with Don Henley and Glenn Frey. He later sued the group and recounted his experiences with the Eagles in a best-selling autobiography.
Last year he released a solo album titled ‘Road to Forever,’ which included an all-star cast of guest stars and saw the musician moving forward musically and personally.
After years of relative backstage secrecy, the Eagles officially sanctioned a documentary titled ‘The History of the Eagles‘ that premiered on Showtime.
Kelly Hansen
Lead Singer for Foreigner, Kelly Hansen guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Answering an ad seeking a lead vocalist, Kelly joined Hurricane in 1985. Signed to Enigma/Capitol during the late eighties and early nineties, Hurricane recorded three critically acclaimed albums, racked up five Top 20 MTV videos and landed the top 35 single, “I’m On To You”.
After Hurricane disbanded, Hansen worked in a group with Poison guitarist C.C. DeVille, toured as a vocal group arranger and backing vocalist with Liane Foly for her album, Caméléon and composed music for television.
As the new lead singer in Foreigner, Hansen explains, “the best part about being in this band is getting the chance to do something I feel I was meant to do. I feel extremely fortunate to be given this wonderful opportunity to play with such a substantial group of people, and it just keeps getting better. I think there are times in life where the right combination of people come together at the right time, through luck, timing or for some other unknown reason to create something magical. What happens onstage with this group of guys is something that is rare and palpable. It’s like the old saying, “if I have to describe it, you wouldn’t understand.”
For more go to http://www.foreigneronline.com/kellyhansen.html
Henry Fambrough-Original vocalist with The Spinners
Henry Fambrough is an original vocalist and current member of the R&B quintet The Spinners (aka The Detroit Spinners). He is the last surviving original member of the Spinners.
During the group’s heyday from the early to mid-1970s, Henry served as one of the group’s lead singers (along with Philippe Wynne and Bobby Smith ) and his rich baritone provided lead vocals for the Spinners classic, “I Don’t Want To Lose You,” as well as co-lead vocals with Wynne on “Living A Little, Laughing A Little.” He also was in a duet with Dionne Warwick on the Spinners’ “Just As Long As We Have Love,” from their album “Pick of the Litter,” and also sang lead on the classic album cut, “If You Can’t Be in Love,” from the album “Happiness Is Being with the Spinners.” Henry was noted for the handlebar mustache he wore at that time.
Gary Puckett, The Amazing Johnathan
May 11, 2017
Audio of interviews are posted below
Gary Puckett and The Amazing Johnathan guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Gary Puckett performs at The South Point Showroom May 12-14 at 7:30pm.
GARY PUCKETT and the UNION GAP was one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties. Gary’s unmistakable signature voice garnered six consecutive gold records and top ten Billboard hits. GARY PUCKETT has performed on more than thirty network television shows and prime time specials during his career, even adding a command performance for the President and Prince Charles at the White House. The Union Gap disbanded in the seventies. In 1974, “Young Girl” was reissued in England where it received a silver record award for attaining a top five position on the pop charts, several years after its initial release.
Gary continues to tour nationally & internationally, has a new album out now, “GARY PUCKETT – LIVE”, and has recently released his first ever Chrismas CD, entitled “At Christmas”.
The Amazing Johnathan
The Amazing Johnathan returns to Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong. (Repeat)
The Amazing Johnathan, is an American stand-up comedian/magician. His act is mostly composed of hi-jinks, interaction with one specific audience member, and a few legitimate magic tricks. Since 2001, he has been a year-round headliner in Las Vegas. Self-described as the “Freddy Krueger of Comedy”, Johnathan usually performs wearing his ever-present headband and his shows frequently use gore, such as pretending to suck on his own hanging eyeball, cutting his wrists, and skewering his own tongue. He is also good friends with fellow performer Criss Angel, and has helped Angel perform a variety of illusions, most notably during his three guest appearances on Mindfreak.
TweetComedian Cocoa Brown, Gerry McCambridge “The Mentalist”
May 4, 2017
Audio of interviews are posted below
Comedian Cocoa Brown guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Coco is best known for his starring role as “Jennifer” on , on the Oprah network, Juror “queen bee” on FX, American crime story, people versus OJ Simpson and the films ted two and single moms club cocoa brown recently released her comedy CD one funny mama, which is currently available on iTunes.
Gerry McCambridge “The Mentalist”
Gerry McCambridge aka The Mentalist guests on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Starting in October 2007 he appeared on Phenomenon with Criss Angel and Uri Geller.
On June 25, 2008, Gerry McCambridge celebrated his 500th Las Vegas performance having been in that city for three years. McCambridge is the longest running mentalist show in Las Vegas history.
On May 12, 2004 Gerry had his first prime-time network TV special titled “The Mentalist.” Over 6.2 million viewers tuned in to watch the one hour special.
In 1999, the International Magicians Society presented Gerry with the “Merlin Award” for “Mentalist of the Decade”. Gerry was the first mentalist in history to receive the Merlin award for mentalism since the organizations inception in 1968.
In 2002 Gerry wrote his first TV script titled “The Mentalist” and took it out to Los Angeles to pitch it to the networks. Jeff Zucker, the president of NBC witnessed Gerry’s live performances many times, and instantly bought the show for his network. Gerry became the creator, executive producer and star of the hit prime-time network television show “The Mentalist” which started airing to millions around the world in May 2004.
In 2005 the Psychic Entertainers Association again awarded Gerry. This time he received the “Mentalist of the Year” award.
In June 2005 Gerry moved his one man show “The Mentalist” from New York City to Las Vegas. The show was an instant success in Sin City. The Las Vegas Review Journal readers poll nominated him “Best Magician” in all Las Vegas.
In October 2007 Gerry starred in the reality television series “Phenomenon” with Criss Angel and Uri Geller.
In 2008 CBS thought the concept of merging the skills of a mentalist with a detective was so interesting, they contacted Gerry and asked him to help with a weekly TV series based on that concept.
In August 2008, the International Magicians Society presented Gerry with the “Merlin Award” for “Mentalist of the Year.”
In 2009 he was voted one of the “Top 10 Absolutely Have To See” shows in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Weekly Magazine.
In 2010 the Las Vegas Review Journal readers poll placed Gerry’s show as the “Best Bargain Show in all of Las Vegas.”
Gerry is performing at the V Theatre, Planet Hollywood H&C , nightly 7:30pm-dark Wed.
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Paula Poundstone, Jay and The Americans
April 20, 2017
Audio of interviews posted below except on Internet Explorer
Paula Poundstone, and Jay and The Americans, guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Poundstone began nurturing her stand-up comedy talent in 1979 on the Boston comedy scene before moving to San Francisco. She starred in multiple HBO comedy specials and appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” Poundstone received a Cable ACE Award for a comedy special for her one-hour HBO special “Cats, Cops, and Stuff.” She received her second Cable ACE Award for her self-titled HBO talk show series.
Continuing with many successes throughout the 1990s, Poundstone starred in “The Paula Poundstone Show” on ABC and many other television appearances, including an HBO Special. Poundstone is the recipient of an Emmy Award for her field pieces on the PBS program “Life & Times.”
For more about Paula, click HERE
Jay and The Americans
With three original members – Sandy Yaguda (“Deane”), Howie Kirschenbaum (“Kane”), and Marty Kupersmith (“Sanders”) – plus the addition of Jay Reincke, Jay and the Americans have recreated the authentic sound of the ‘60s.
Jay and the Americans hits include She Cried, Come A Little Bit Closer, Wax Museum, Hushabye, Walkin’ in the Rain and This Magic Moment.
In 2002, Jay and the Americans were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Jay and The Americans will be appearing at The Golden Nugget April 5.
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