Las Vegas Backstage Talk column in Casino Player Magazine
August edition: by Michele LaFong
Digital edition of Las Vegas Backstage Talk column http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=169821
Hi again!
Last month, on casinocenter.com, we featured some short, edited, backstage interviews. Thanks so much for all your feedback. It is very much appreciated, and we are paying attention to your comments.
Update: I passed on every lead that came in from all of you to Gallagher regarding interest for his Gaming Software gambling technology that he invented to keep slot players in casinos as entertained as they are with online. I will keep you posted, especially if history is made, as a result of your interest and responses.
I was at Gallagher’s new show at The Laugh Factory at The Tropicana last night, and was stunned that he had such a packed room on a Sunday night. Word must be getting out fast that he is still very funny even without smashing water-melons! He seemed fearless about trying new material on stage, and is masterful at working the crowd. He will continue to perform his 7pm show, at least through the summer.
Another very popular Headliner on the “casino circuit” is Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo. I was blown away with their performance at The Pearl Theatre, at The Palms H & C last month. After my interview with Singer/Songwriter Neil Giraldo, Pat Benatar’s long-time “hit-writing” husband, visionary, and co-star of over 30 years, I felt like I knew them both for years. I never considered myself a real fan of their music, but after seeing them live…I guess I am, and I cannot recommend their show enough!
Another star that didn’t at all disappoint in his performance was The Legendary Dave Mason, who was performing at The Pearl Theatre, the following week. When I interviewed him by phone, he seemed a little low key, but on stage he came out strong and sustained interest and energy throughout. I also liked that he explained how his hit songs came about. It was truly hilarious when Dave after singing a couple of songs revealed that he was not making a “fashion statement” by wearing shorts on stage… rather it’s that he forgot to pack his pants! (I can relate to that.)
Comedian/Actress Wanda Sykes also put on an excellent show at The TI, and had the packed room in stitches throughout. I am still laughing about her reference to what happens to a woman “downstairs” after menopause…“that no one ever warns us about!” I was very surprised when backstage, immediately following the show, Wanda told me that some of the material she did, was being tried out for the very first time. (No one would ever have known!)
Dr. Julio Garcia, Plastic Surgeon to the Stars, returned on LVBST to warn us about the many new in-office procedures, which promise us a look of “instant youth,” but may not necessarily make us look better. He gave some great tips on the best way to find a really qualified plastic surgeon, and the many ways we can shave-off years instantly, even without surgery. He has agreed to offer free consultations for “CP readers” for the month of August providing you mention CP Magazine at the time that you make the appointment.
August’s line-up of popular headliners appearing in Las Vegas includes Grammy® award-winning singer-songwriter Rick Springfield, mostly known for “Jessie’s Girl,” and his acting role on “General Hospital.” When he guested on my radio show last year, the response was amazing. Springfield was so popular with our listeners, that WROM Radio, one of our affiliate stations in Michigan reported that after 400,000 listeners clicked in …it shut down their entire site! Rick is performing at The Orleans Showroom, August 3 & 4.
Another recommended Headliner is Five-time Grammy® winner BJ Thomas, mostly known for the hits “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” and “Hooked on a Feeling.” BJ was one of the most genuine, unassuming, “down to earth” Stars that I’ve ever met. He is genuinely shy, has never been comfortable with his fame, and still always gets nervous when performing. It’s adorable! I witnessed him being really hard on himself last year back-stage, following a stellar performance, in which he received three standing ovations! Thomas is returning to The Suncoast Showroom on August 10 & 11, and plans to come in early to do a videotaped interview with me.
Another exciting show coming in is The Monkees. I was lucky enough to have opened for them on their first re-union tour at The Sands H & C, in Las Vegas back in ’94. It was only Davey Jones, and Mickey Dolenz that were from the original group but it was still a great show, and the crowds just loved it! It will be interesting to see all the remaining members of the original line-up, Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork perform together. It’s such a shame that Davey Jones is no longer with us. He will always be loved and missed. The Monkees will perform at the Grand Events Center inside Green Valley Ranch Resort on Aug 10.
“Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theatre,” has returned to the “V” Theatre at Planet Hollywood with daily performances at 2:30pm. This Veteran of The Russian Circus, was a finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” He is the only one I’ve ever seen that has so many trained cats doing amazing things in his show. He is scheduled to return on our program, and this time around bring some of his trained animals.
Actor- Impressionist Kevin Pollak, is headlining The Improv, at Harrahs, H& C, on Aug. 30 & 31. What a treat! I interviewed him last year at The World Series of Poker Tournament, at The Rio. Kevin was playing poker against Carl Reiner, and many other celebrity, and non-celebrity Poker-champs. (He is the only celebrity that placed in last year’s competition!) Pollak shared tips on having “the best poker-face,” and explained how different the game of poker is in tournaments. Some real good, and entertaining advice. Kevin Pollak’s edited video and others are now posted on casinocenter.com.
I’m always open to comments, feedback, and questions. Please stay in touch via facebook, twitter, or email. ‘Til next month…
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Gaming Today/Gary Puckett by Michele LaFong
May 30, 2013 6pm-7pm PST 1230AM in LV & Web
Gary Puckett and The Union Gap at South Point Showroom May 31-June 2 at 7:30pm
I interviewed Gary Puckett was on my radio show. He was plugging his dates at The South Point Showroom May 31-June 2.
“After this engagement at The South Point, I’m going on tour doing fifty-two shows, from June 8-Sept.1 all over the US.
We did it last year. “Back in day…we didn’t spend a lot of time working in Las Vegas, but I remember working The International Hotel which became The Hilton, and now it’s the Las Vegas Hotel…and I remember working with Elvis there. He was in the “big room,” which sat two to three thousand people, and I was in their smaller theatre. I remember working at the same time, and we alternated shows with Ike and Tina Turner, and Redd Foxx, who of course was Las Vegas’ bluest Comedian.
We are traveling a lot, especially this summer. Last year, we were on a tour called “Happy Together.” It included The Buckinghams, The Grassroots, Myself, Mickey Dolenz, and The Turtles. It was a very, popular show, it was their third year in a row, and they decided to do it again this year, so they asked me to come back…so it will be me, and The Turtles, along with Gary Lewis and The Playboys, Mark Lindsey from Paul Revere and The Raiders, and Chuck Negron, from Three Dog Night. It’s two and a half hours or more of solid hit recordings. We use one band to back everybody up, the show is very well rehearsed and played, it just moves along, and lots of fun to do. So we’ll do fifty-two shows this year, from June 8- Sept. 1, all over the US.
We get along great. I know all those guys…we’ve traveled and worked together before, I had worked with The Grassroots for years and years, and certainly, I’ve worked with Mark, and Howard from The Turtles for many years, and I had worked with The Monkees on occasion, in fact in 1986, I was chosen to be on The Monkees 20 Year Reunion Tour, which included all of The Monkees except for Mike Nesmith, and he came out on a few of the dates that we did, like The Greek Theatre, and I think The Las Vegas Hilton.
I’ve always been a fan of The Monkees’ music. I just love their recordings.
“I was on The Ed Sullivan Show three times.” When I asked if he remembered who he was on the show with, the only act that came to his instant memory was Topo Gigio! “My Guest appearances on Hollywood Squares were more recent…within the last fifteen years. I was on with Whoopi Goldberg, and others…and that was a lot of fun to do.” Gary was answering my questions in very nice, but generic way. I had to remind him that he was being interviewed on Las Vegas “Backstage Talk,” therefore we expect the real “behind the scenes” goings-on… for example: Did Hollywood Squares prep the celebrities? Were the celebs given the questions ahead of time? You know…that sort of thing!” Puckett finally “sang like a bird!” “Well…you get the questions, and they give you some suggestions… but they want you to make up your own answers.” Did they tell you guys what to say? “ the show prepped us some. There was a little coaching, but not a lot. They just didn’t want any of us to be dumb-founded on any of the questions.”
“You mean you weren’t wearing little head-sets in your ears, whispering the answer to you?” “Haha… No, it wasn’t the $64,000 Question, nothing like that!”
Playing The Catskills was a big part of our early days. The Concord Hotel was where we rehearsed The Monkee Tour in 1986. One thing I really remember that sticks out from working those hotels especially the very first time, the audience didn’t applaud with their hands, they used their knockers. They were like little wooden lolly-pops that they would bang on the tables…it was a riot…
Because this is the show where we get “Personal with the Stars,” I have to ask… You sound way normal now, but was there a time in your life when you were wild and “running amuck?” “Haha…you’re asking me if I ever was a drug addict I think…and the answer is no… I did my share of partying, but I never did the hard drugs…I admit to smoking some local weed…
Gary Puckett admits to having his fair share of issues regarding creative control in his career.
Jerry Fuller was our Producer, and I called him “The Iron Fisted,” my way or the highway, producer. I respect him all these years later certainly because he brought us a lot of success, but he and I had differences about what we would record, especially at some point after the initial successes of “Woman Woman,” “Young Girl,” “Lady Will Power,” and “Over You.” One song that had really become an issue between us was “Don’t Give into Him,” and strangely enough…that song has become one of my favorites over the years because it’s got some kind of odd, chord changes in it, and I just think it’s a cool song. The issue is that we disagreed…and when we disagreed, the balance of power was always in his corner because he was given control by the record company. I was always trying to get control and I couldn’t!
“In retrospect, I wish I had been a little easier to work with because I know had I not pushed for that so hard, I would have done better…in the long run…However, getting to where I have gotten in my life, and having a wonderful family, and a beautiful place to live in the Florida area, and having all the fans that I have out there…the old shoulda, woulda, coulda…goes by the wayside, and I know that there’s some good stuff left in me, and we’re talking about doing some recording projects and things that will become my “later in life” accomplishments…I’m speaking to someone right now about doing some recording that I really think would be a lot of fun, and “I’ve really taken the time to become a better and better guitar player and to have more knowledge of it, so I hope to do that with songs that are not necessarily written by me, but songs that might even be classics, going back to my parents era…and it even sounds a little redundant, because so many artist have done it…but I’ve found some great songs that they haven’t done.
Will also be featured in Michele LaFong’s Syndicated “Las Vegas Backstage Talk “Column in Casino Player Magazine.
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