Kevin Cronin, Little Anthony
June 14, 2018
Audio of interviews will be posted below
Iconic Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon Kevin Cronin guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
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 16 & 17, 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.
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Jo Koy, Gregory Popovich
May 31, 2018
Audio of interviews are posted below
Comedian Jo Koy guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
From filling clubs across the nation to being seen weekly as a regular guest on Chelsea Lately, Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest start performing at a Las Vegas coffee house. His infectiously explosive energy on stage, insightful jokes and family inspired humor cross all boundaries and led Daily Variety to name him one of the “10 Comics to Watch”.
For more about Jo Koy, click HERE.
You can catch Jo Koy at Treasure Island
Treasure Island Theatre, Friday June 8th 9:00pm
World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
Gregory Popovich guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Comedy Pet Theater features an amazing cast of housecats, dogs, parrots. even geese and mice! Critics describe it as a unique blend of comedy, world-champion juggling, and the extraordinary talents of more than 30 performing pets. Gregory Popovich has rescued the animals from shelters all over the country and transformed them into Las Vegas stars! Popovich was a Finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and is a fifth-generation circus performer who learned early on how to develop strong bonds with animals. He released his first book “You CAN Train Your Cat” in late 2009 and has been featured on The Tonight Show, David Letterman and in USA Today, just to name a few. Comedy Pet Theater performs daily at The V-Theater Planet Hollywood H&C . See below for schedule or for more information call (702) 260-7200
For more info about Popovitch, CLICK HERE!
TweetDon Felder, Kelly Hansen, Henry Fambrough
January 25, 2018
Audio is posted below
Singer/Songwriter Don Felder, guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Don Felder is appearing with Styx at The Venetian on Jan 26-Feb. 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.
Rob Schneider, Don Brewer, Russell Peters
August 31, 2017
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Rob Schneider guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
Rob Schneider is appearing at The Laugh Factory, at The Tropicana H & C, Sept. 2 & 3
After opening for comedians such as Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, Schneider made his network television debut in 1987 on “The David Letterman Show.” In 1990, “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels saw Schneider’s appearance on HBO’s “13th Annual Young Comedians Special” and hired him to be a regular on SNL. During his four seasons on SNL, Schneider was nominated for three EmmyR Awards and a Peabody Award..
Schneider is well-known for his longtime collaboration with Adam Sandler and Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison. Schneider has starred in several Happy Madison projects, including “The Benchwarmers,” “50 First Dates,” “The Longest Yard,” “Eight Crazy Nights,” “Little Nicky” and “Mr. Deeds.” Schneider co-wrote and starred in “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” “The Hot Chick” and “The Animal.”
Schneider was the star of the new CBS show, “Rob,” about a lifelong bachelor who married into a tight-knit Mexican-American family. Rob is a successful architect who elopes with Maggie in Las Vegas after a whirlwind romance.
For more about Rob Schneider, click HERE.
Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)
Don Brewer, original founding member, co-lead singer and drummer for Grand Funk Railroad guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Known as “The American Band,” the high-energy five-piece group will play forty shows all over the USA this year. Grand Funk Railroad includes original founding member Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, We’re An American Band) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The God Of Thunder.” Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.” Singer Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned and sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 years with KISS and also has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soul man Robert Palmer.
Comedian Russell Peters
Russell Peters guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Comedian Russell Peters is a very funny guy.
And not just kind of funny.
He’s so friggin’ funny that his standup touring earned him, according to Forbes, a whopping $21 million last year.
With that in mind, it’s about time you get familiar with Mr. Peters because we think he really deserves to be more famous. In fact, his current international tour is called…Almost Famous.
Russell is working on new material and figuring out his new set in clubs across the United States. These are work in progress shows! You never know what’s going to happen. Lots of free-styling and improv. Watch for new dates to be announced soon and watch for new international dates in 2018 & 2019!
To see a complete listing of Russell’s upcoming shows, click here.
And be sure to register for Russell’s Emails to be notified about shows in your area ahead of the general public
TweetRob Schneider, Don Brewer, Russell Peters
June 29, 2017
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Rob Schneider guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, the only show that “Gets Personal with the Stars.”
Rob Schneider is appearing at The Laugh Factory, at The Tropicana H & C, July 1 & 2
After opening for comedians such as Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, Schneider made his network television debut in 1987 on “The David Letterman Show.” In 1990, “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels saw Schneider’s appearance on HBO’s “13th Annual Young Comedians Special” and hired him to be a regular on SNL. During his four seasons on SNL, Schneider was nominated for three EmmyR Awards and a Peabody Award..
Schneider is well-known for his longtime collaboration with Adam Sandler and Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison. Schneider has starred in several Happy Madison projects, including “The Benchwarmers,” “50 First Dates,” “The Longest Yard,” “Eight Crazy Nights,” “Little Nicky” and “Mr. Deeds.” Schneider co-wrote and starred in “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” “The Hot Chick” and “The Animal.”
Schneider was the star of the new CBS show, “Rob,” about a lifelong bachelor who married into a tight-knit Mexican-American family. Rob is a successful architect who elopes with Maggie in Las Vegas after a whirlwind romance.
For more about Rob Schneider, click HERE.
Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)
Don Brewer, original founding member, co-lead singer and drummer for Grand Funk Railroad guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Known as “The American Band,” the high-energy five-piece group will play forty shows all over the USA this year. Grand Funk Railroad includes original founding member Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, We’re An American Band) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The God Of Thunder.” Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.” Singer Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned and sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 years with KISS and also has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soul man Robert Palmer.
Comedian Russell Peters
Russell Peters guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Comedian Russell Peters is a very funny guy.
And not just kind of funny.
He’s so friggin’ funny that his standup touring earned him, according to Forbes, a whopping $21 million last year.
With that in mind, it’s about time you get familiar with Mr. Peters because we think he really deserves to be more famous. In fact, his current international tour is called…Almost Famous.
Russell is working on new material and figuring out his new set in clubs across the United States. These are work in progress shows! You never know what’s going to happen. Lots of free-styling and improv. Watch for new dates to be announced soon and watch for new international dates in 2018 & 2019!
To see a complete listing of Russell’s upcoming shows, click here.
And be sure to register for Russell’s Emails to be notified about shows in your area ahead of the general public
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 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.
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