May-Las Vegas Backstage Talk column
May-Las Vegas Backstage Talk
Syndicated column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today.
by Michele LaFong
(click on articles to enlarge)
Comedian/Actor John Pinette was a favorite recurring guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show. He was found dead recently in a hotel room in Pittsburgh, where he was attending a family function. He was only 50. The apparent cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, his manager, Larry Schapiro, said. John was expected to return on LVBST in mid-May to promote his return engagement at The Orleans Showroom. I was looking forward to it because he always made me laugh on and off stage. I was an avid fan of all of his stand-up specials “Show Me the Buffett,” “I’m Starvin’!” and “Still Hungry.” I laugh just thinking about them! He was working on another stand-up project when he died. He will be greatly missed. On April 10, I re-aired my first interview with him. It covered everything from his legendary stint on the last episode on Seinfeld, to his starring role in “Hairspray” on Broadway. The interview is worth listening to and is archived on lasvegasbackstagetalk.com
Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals put on a rockin’ high energy, “crowd pleasing” show at The Suncoast Showroom last month. I loved that he continuously got up from behind the keyboard to dance! Not only did Felix play all his hits as promised in our interview like “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” “A Girl Like You,” “A Beautiful Morning,” “People Got to Be Free,” and How Can I Be Sure?,” but he also threw in many surprises like when he sang “You Better Run” by Pat Benatar. I had no idea that Cavaliere had written that song! He’s a tremendous talent. It’s no surprise that he is a Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee.
Legendary Comedian Marty Allen performed a string of show dates together with his wife Singer Karon Kate Blackwell, at The Plaza in celebration of his 92nd birthday. Marty has not lost any of his timing, charm, or connection with his audience. He still delivers a solid, “old school” updated, throw-back to vaudeville type of show. I just love him! He’s “old school” and iconic, always doing a Meet & Greet at no charge following every show. Some of the celebrities that attended were Terry Fator, Rich Little, and even Marty Allen’s former Comedy Team Partner, Steve Rossi. Wonders never cease. Who knows… in another10-20 years perhaps Allen & Rossi will reunite on-stage as well! Since both Marty Allen, and Steve Rossi have guested on LVBST separately, when I compared their videotaped interviews, I couldn’t help but notice how hilariously different their recollections are of their past history together. The edited video is posted on gaming today.com
After interviewing Comedian Tommy Davidson, one of the original cast members of “In Living Color,” on Fox TV, I went to see him perform in the “In Living Color Reunion Tour” with David Alan Grier, at Aliante Casino. David opened the show. His stand-up was honest and well-paced. His political material was very strong. Both David, and Tommy’s comedy had substance and depth, were animated, and engaging. Both used their voices well, and performed creative sound effects.
Tommy’s show had less of a stand-up feel to it and was more stylized. His impressions and characters were spot-on, and his take-off of President Obama was hilarious. It was nice to see these two skilled comedy veterans perform back to back. The only thing that would have made the evening perfect is if at the end of the show they would have done something together.
Comedian George Wallace ended his show on April 26, after a ten year run at The Flamingo. Wallace expects to do a little bit of everything while moving on from the 10-year run at Flamingo Las Vegas. “I may tour the world, the US, do some radio and television and continue to make people laugh and enjoy my life. I am blessed and we will see what lies in store for me. Although there is no word yet of who or what will replace Wallace in the 10pm slot, Rumor has it that it could possibly be going to Tommy Davidson. He is fresh, popular, and versatile enough to pull off a one-man show in Vegas. He has paid his dues in show-biz, and deserves the slot.
Speaking of deserving the slot, many of you have been thanking me for recommending Singing Funnyman Pianist Michael Shane who by popular demand has recently been given his own nights at Bootlegger Bistro. Shane is scheduled every Thursday, and Friday in May from 6pm, as a solo act, and has Special Guest drop-ins as well. With no cover charge, great food and atmosphere, Michael’s show at Bootlegger Bistro should be a no-brainer!
Picks for May: Comedian Tom Dreesen, May 2 & 3 Smith Center, Olivia Newton John May 6-10, Flamingo, Jane’s Addiction, The Linq, May8-10, Gary Puckett and Union Gap, May 9-11, South Point, Ray Romano/Kevin James, May 9 & 10, Mirage, Eli Young Band, May 10, Palms, LeAnn Rimes, May 9 & 10, The Orleans, Leslie Gore and Peggy March 11, Suncoast, Lilly Tomlin, Danny Wright, May 11, Smith Center, Cheech & Chong, May 16, Hard Rock, Lewis Black, May 17 & 18, Mirage, The Oak Ridge Boys, May 16, Eastside Cannery, Jeffrey Osborne and Peabo Bryson, May 17, Cannery, Ben Vereen, May 17 & 18, Suncoast, Kansas, May 17, Redrock Resort, Guns N’Roses, May 21-June 7, Hard Rock, Air Supply, May 23-25, Orleans, Kathy Griffin, May 23, Mirage, Ralphie May, May 23-25, South Point, Ron White, May 24, Mirage, Bruce Bruce, May 24 & 25, Suncoast, Cher, Cyndi-Lauper, May 25, MGM, Katt Williams, May 25, Hard Rock, Backstreet Boys, Avril Lavigne, May 30 & 31, Planet Hollywood, Paula Poundstone, May 30 & 31, The Orleans, Johnny Mathis, May 30, Smith Center, Paul Rodgers, May 31, Eastside Cannery.
LeAnn Rimes, Steve Rossi
May 8, 2014 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Country music superstar LeAnn Rimes and Steve Rossi guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Rimes made her introduction into country music in 1996 with her debut album “Blue,” which soared to number one on the Top Country Albums chart and was certified multi-platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. Throughout her career, Rimes has sold more than 40 million albums, won two Grammy® Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards™ and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Rimes received the honor of being the youngest recipient of a Grammy®, and was also the first country recording artist to win in the “Best New Artist” category.
Rimes has placed 42 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 13 of which are top-10 hits, and has scored several hit singles in her career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” which went #1 in 11 countries, and “How Do I Live,” which is the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Having released more than ten studio albums, three compilation albums and two greatest hits albums in her distinguished career, Rimes recently released her newest album titled “Spitfire,” in the spring of 2013.
In addition to her music career, Rimes is as an accomplished actress and author. She made her official film debut in 2000 for “Coyote Ugly,” providing the singing voice for Piper Perabo’s character Violet Sanford and making a cameo appearance towards the end of the film. Later, Rimes starred in the 2009 made-for-TV movie, “Northern Lights.” Rimes has also written four books— two novels and two children’s books, the most recent titled “What I Cannot Change.”
Show-Biz Legend Steve Rossi
Steve Rossi guests in-studio on Las Vegas backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
He is half of the world famous comedy team of Allen and Rossi. At the age of six he appeared in ‘Going My Way’ with Bing Crosby, ‘The Johnson Story’ and over thirty movies. At the age of 16, Steve received a scholarship to The University of Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles and received a BA in communication, arts and theatre and in Latin and Greek. In 1954 Steve co-starred with Mae West in her sold out concerts all over America.
Steve teamed up with Marty Allen in 1957 and soon became America’s #1 comedy team. They Appeared in over 7000 television shows including frequent apperances on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’, and hold dubious honor of having to go on stage right after the Beatles created pandemonium on the show. They also guest starred on Perry Cumo, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Mike Dougas and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Allen and Rossi were also regular guest stars on ‘What’s My Line, Hollywood Squares, Password and numerous other game shows.
Allen and Rossi starred in several Paramount films, most notably ‘The Last of the Secret Agents’ with the guest stars Nancy Sinatra and Ed Sullivan.
Steve also produced and starred in ‘The 25th Anniversary Allen and Rossi Special’ with guest stars Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller, Redd Foxx, Martin Sheen, Ernie Borgnine, Rich Little, Jack Jones and Tony Orlando. Steve has produced 11 comedy albums and eight singing albums on such lables as RCA and Coumbia. He sold 2 million copies of his hit record “More”, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
Steve Rossi also wrote and produced “Jimmy Stewart & Friends” starring Rich Little currently appearing at The Las Vegas Hotel.
On May 20th 2009, steve Rossi was inducted into Show Business Legends hall of fame at the Tropicana hotel in Las Vegas. Steve in celebrating his 55th year in show business and Is young enough to look forward to the next 55 years.
More about Steve Rossi here–>
TweetRichard Marx, Kevin James-Las Vegas Backstage Talk w/Comedian Michele LaFong
Feb. 9, 2012 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & The Web
Hit-making singer/songwriter, Richard Marx guests on Las Vegas backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
With more than 20 years in the music industry, Richard Marx has established himself as a hit-making singer/songwriter, with more than 30 million albums sold and 13 No. 1 songs to his credit.
In addition to writing and recording hit after hit on his own albums, Marx has written and produced songs with some of the biggest names in music, including Barbra Streisand, Daughtry, Leann Rimes, Travis Tritt, Natalie Cole and Josh Groban, among many others. In 2004, Marx won the Song of the Year Grammy Award for “Dance With My Father,” which he co-wrote with the late Luther Vandross. In 2005, he collaborated with Keith Urban for the country singer’s hit song, “Better Life,” and in 2007 the duo teamed up again to co-write another chart-topper for Urban,”Everybody.”
Marx will return on LVBST Radio Show with Michele LaFong, and will soon appear in LaFong’s Syndicated Monthly “Las Vegas Backstage Talk” Column in Casino Player Magazine, and “Getting Personal with the Stars” in Gaming Today.
For more about Richard Marx, click here.
You can catch Richard Marx live at The Orleans
Orleans Showroom, Feb. 11 & 12:00pm
For reservations
Illusionist – Kevin James
Kevin James is an unconventional, veteran magician. After seeing his first magic performance at the age of 10, he knew that was his calling. James’ unique comedy and magic has gained him a reputation as a world class visual artist. His fresh approach has allowed him to headline in some of the world’s top showrooms, and appear on television in 25 countries, including the semi-finals of “America’s Got Talent.” Kevin is also a very prolific magical inventor who has not only created unique magical effects for his own shows, but for other famous magicians such as David Copperfield as well.
Kevin James will be appearing in “Avant Garde” at The Plaza Hotel and Casino. James will perform alongside fellow magicians and Merlin Award Recipients Juliana Chen and Ed Alonzo. James will showcase his unique brand of magic, that includes comedy and illusions.
You can catch Kevin James at The Plaza Hotel & Casino
The Plaza Showroom, Sat. – Thurs. 7:00pm, Dark Fri.
For information
You can listen to a recording of our show below!
