Aug. Las Vegas Backstage Talk column
by Michele LaFong
August’s Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine and Gaming Today.
(Click on article to enlarge)
Steve Rossi: May 25, 1932 – June 22, 2014
Show-biz Legend Steve Rossi was a frequent favorite in-studio guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show. I first met him in ’94 at my variety show “Vegas Live” starring Michele LaFong, at The Debbie Reynolds Hotel and Casino. He was very supportive, and came in frequently to watch the show, hang-out and schmooze…and what a fun schmoozer he was! Even back then he brought the party with him where ever he went. He is greatly missed. On June 26, in Steve’s honor we replayed his very first LVBST interview. It was incredibly colorful and entertaining. He shared his many experiences, lessons and stories in his amazing fifty-five year career in show business which covered everything from what it was like to room with Howard Stern many years ago when he was managing the frequently fired “Shock Jock,” to the real reason he claimed that he and Marty Allen could not get back together… not even for one last TV Anniversary Special that Steve claimed was offered to them last year for over a million dollars. The show is worth listening to and is archived on Lasvegasbackstagetalk.com.
Clint Holmes returned in-studio live on June 19, to update us on the exciting news of his new CD release, and monthly resident performances at The Smith Center on the first weekend of every month.
Mostly known for being the former co-host of ABC’s The View, Joy Behar will return to Vegas to perform a weekend of stand-up on Aug.22 & 23 as part of the new “Lipshtick Series” at The Venetian. She got nabbed-up pretty quickly after her successful engagement at The Orleans this past January. Apparently much of the general public was unaware of what an accomplished Stand-up Comedian Joy was. Back in the 80’s, when I was a touring headline comedian, I had a business called LaFong Productions. Joy was one of my top go to comedians that I booked in my 21 rooms. Come to think of it many of the comedians that I booked have done incredibly well in their careers including Kevin James, and Comedian and YouTube Sensation Vic Dibitetto, who recently got cast by Kevin in Mall Cop 2, teamed-up with Actor Nick Turturro (mostly known for his role in NYPD Blue.) I recently aired the lively interview with the pair on June 12, and it too is archived on our website. An edited video clip of Nick and Vic is posted on casinocenter.com
Comedian Russell Peters, currently a judge on NBC’s Last Comic Standing with Roseanne Barr and Keenon Ivory Wayans, returned on LVBST and will return to the Pearl at The Palms on Aug. 2 exploring new material and crowd work. “Although the taping for Last Comic Standing has concluded, the competition is still playing out every week on television and even the three finalists do not know the outcome! We taped three different endings and they do not know which one will be aired.”
Jay Leno returns to The Mirage on August 11, and Nov. 21 & 22. He puts on a very strong well-paced, fluff-free show that is definitely worth catching. Last month, I aired Part 1 & 2 of a long interview with Jay covering everything from his comedy writing to why he doesn’t have a team of security escorting him around like most other celebrities.
Jay explained the security question with a great story. “Once I was at one of these hotels, and they insisted on sending two security people to walk me to the showroom…so these two huge goons come up with suits on that look like they are made out of sofa material, and we walk into the casino… and as we’re coming through they were actually pushing people…literally shoving old ladies out of the way…and people were like “screw you Leno!” “and I’m like no let me stop and take a picture, sign an autograph…it takes an extra few minutes but everybody’s happy. Having security walk me to a show was so much worse!
Superstar Al Pacino will bring his “Pacino: One Night Only” show to The Mirage Saturday, Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to step into Pacino’s world as he shares his passion for acting and directing in an up-close-and-personal setting in the Terry Fator Theatre. The evening will explore his life beginning in the 1960s when he performed Off-Broadway and will follow his career to present day. The show will include previously untold stories, never-before-seen clips, and a question and answer session. Pacino is one of the rare winners of the acting Triple Crown: the Oscar, Tony and Emmy Award.
Other Picks: Buckcherry, Otherwise, Hard Rock, Aug. 1, Caroline Rhea, Wendy Liebman, The Venetian, Aug 1 & 2, The Goo Goo Dolls, Daughtry, Plain White T’s, Red Rock Resort, Aug. 1, Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone, South Point, Aug. 1-3, Journey, Steve Miller Band, Mandalay Bay, Aug 1, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Los Lonely Boys, The Palms, Aug. 1, Lady Gaga, MGM Grand, Weezer, Cosmopolitan, Aug. 1, Aerosmith Slash, MGM Grand, Aug. 2, Jonny Lang, Boulder Station, Aug. 2, Blues Traveler, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Uncle Cracker, Golden Nugget, Aug. 8, Dirty Heads, Pepper, Aug. 8, Lisa Lampanelli, The Venetian, Aug. 8 & 9, Rob Schneider, South Point, Aug. 8-10, Aaron Neville & Dr. John, The Cannery, Aug. 9, Aries Spears, Mandalay Bay, Aug. 9, Kathy Griffin, The Mirage, Aug. 9, Lynard Skynyrd, Golden Nugget, Aug. 9, Counting Crows, Mandalay Bay, Aug. 10, 38 Special, Eastside Cannery, Aug. 10, Cesar Millan, “Leader of the Pack” Palms, Aug. 15, Whitney Cummings, The Venetian, Aug. 15 & 16, Yes, Hard Rock, Aug. 15, The Guess Who, Eastside Cannery, Aug. 16, ZZ Top, Jeff Beck, Hard Rock, Aug. 16, Daniel Tosh, The Mirage, Aug. 22 & 23, Dave Collier, South Point, Aug. 22-24, Rock N Blues Fest with Johnny Winter Band, Edgar Winter Band, Cannery, Aug. 23, John Legend, The Cosmopolitan, Aug. 24, The Summer Nationals Tour, featuring The Offspring, with Special Guests, Bad Religion, Pennywise, Stiff Little Fingers, Hard Rock, Aug. 27, The Adam Carolla Show, Treasure Island, Aug. 29, Bill Medley with McKenna Medley, South Point, Aug. 29-31, Joe Rogan, The Mirage, Aug. 29, Bachman & Turner, Cannery, Aug. 30, Keith Urban, The Cosmopolitan, Aug. 31.
Las Vegas Backstage Talk column-Casino Player Magazine by Michele LaFong
Sept. edition
Online version: http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=172620
Casino Player-Las Vegas Backstage Talk
What a great summer this has been for entertainment in Las Vegas! Last weekend I did a backstage interview at The Eastside Cannery with Little Anthony. What fun! We both played The Catskill circuit for years, and one time were even billed together on a show. I thought only comedians had “nightmare stories” about their first experiences playing to that tough “seen it all,” aloof, Catskill crowd, but according to Little Anthony, he was not at all spared! “It took some getting used to…” but all pros find a way to adapt, and luckily Little Anthony Gourdine was no exception. Having learned about comedy timing from his good friend Comedian Redd Foxx, he had no trouble adding a little “shtick” together with Jewish songs which he learned phonetically, and sandwiched them between his hits, “Tears on my Pillow,” “Hurt So Bad,” “Going out of my Head,” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko Bop.” Can you imagine a sprinkle of Halvah Nah Gila in that mix? What’s really scary is I’m sure it seemed very normal to me at the time!
Now, at 73, this Vocal Group Hall of Fame inductee sells out in casinos nationally. I never expected to enjoy their music as much as I did! Their contemporary musical arrangements and great choice of covers keep the show relevant. (Edited portions of our backstage interview will be posted on casinocenter.com.)
Mickey Thomas, legendary singer from Starship, known for hits including “We Built this City,” “Jane” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” was another fun guest on my radio show. He was promoting his stint as “special guest performer,” in RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT, at The LVH. Following the interview, I went to see the show, and I’m really glad I did. It was impressive with an all-star lineup, consisting of original members of various known bands, they featured classics from The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Eagles, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC, Journey, Free, Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Toto, Deep Purple, and more. This show had great energy, but the only problem was it was too loud; however it was still a terrific presentation none the less and had a really entertaining storyline. Mickey Thomas, added even more excitement and authenticity to the show. Singer Stephanie Calvert joined him on-stage. It was simply fantastic! Mickey will also be at The Silverton on Sept. 13.
I went to see YouTube Sensation, Comedian Pablo Francisco’s sold-out show, at The South Point Showroom, and I must say, The South point Casino seems to be successfully drawing a younger crowd. I’ve never seen so many loyal fans, lined-up to buy things following a headliner’s performance at The South Point Casino! Not bad for a comedian that many people are still not familiar with. Yet, he is a popular ticket especially with young people in the casino circuit. His brand of comedy consists mostly of high energy, characters, impressions, and sound effects. He’s like a wind-up toy that never stops! Having a serious conversation with Pablo during my interview proved to be almost impossible, but funny… as he seems to be one of those performers that are always on! If he doesn’t have ADD…he should! However he was entertaining, and a really nice guy.
Two comics that I was really excited to finally get on LVBST radio show were Kathy Griffin and Margaret Cho, who not surprisingly are friends. Kathy, who recently had her own talk show, “Kathy,” on Bravo, was promoting her up-coming performances. “I just love Las Vegas,” “I love everything about it…slots and all! She was constantly promoting…”If you come see me at The Mirage, you will hear different material than you’ve heard any time before. If you come see me a month later, you’re going to hear different material than last time.” I let her know that I was a big fan of her reality show “My Life on the D List,” “Thanks,” she replied…but was quick to correct me… “It’s “Two-time Emmy Award- Winning- My Life on the D List! I’ve also just broken the record for having the most comedy specials, male or female, with my latest Special called “Calm Down Gurrl.” Boy was she “working it,” and sure knows how. I just love her. Kathy will return to The Mirage on Sept.8. If you missed the interview, the audio is archived on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com
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Margaret Cho’s interview was much more low-key and cerebral. Promoting her Stand-up Tour “Mother,” she had this to say about what can be expected from her Sept. 6 date at The Mirage. It’s different every day. With stand-up comedy, you really have to change with the audience, and change the way it’s done, taking into consideration the way things are happening in the news. The “mother” in the title, refers to “I’m like the mother of comedy now…I’m like everybody’s mom. It’s kind of like achieving mastery in the art form, where you can do a lot…it’s almost like you’re giving birth to it. Margaret’s full interview will air on Sept. 5.
Tony Orlando, my friend, as well as one of my favorite performers is returning to The South Point Showroom on Sept 20-22. I never miss his show when he is in town. Tony is an “old school” showman that simply knows how to entertain, still has great chops, uses killer musicians, and consistently delivers a “feel good,” up-beat, contemporary show. I also love that he incorporates blues, country, and Led Zeppelin in his repertoire. Believe me… there is a reason his show is always sold out.
Watch for Heather Marianna, Host of” Beauty Kitchen”-An extremely popular and successful internet show, that specializes in teaching us how to use food combinations that double as Beauty Products. She has generously donated gift bags made exclusively for our celebrity guests, made from her own Beauty Line of products without the spa prices. Heather and her products have been extremely well received. Marianna is scheduled to host the Pool Party at The Luxor, on “Gay Day,” on Sept. 6, 10am-6pm. She is destined for big things!
As always, I look forward to your feedback at Michelelafong@gmail.com
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