Kevin Cronin, Ian Anderson, Ted Lange
November 17, 2016
Audio of interviews 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 will bring nearly 40 years of hits to the Orleans Showroom November 19-20.
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.
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
Legendary Prog Pioneer Ian Anderson guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk.
A sequel to Thick as a Brick (1972), entitled Thick as a Brick 2, was released on 3 April 2012. It is billed as being performed by Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson instead of being a Tull album proper. Anderson is currently on tour performing both albums in their entirety. A trailer for the newer TAAB album is posted on YouTube.
Anderson played the flute on the track “Cannonball” by The Darkness on their 2012 album, Hot Cakes.
Congratulations on your new album release Homo Erraticus.-a concept album blending rock, folk, and metal music.
Ted Lange
Actor/Director Ted Lange guests on LVBST radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Comedian Jeff Wayne, will be performing his one-man show, “Big Daddy’s Barbeque,” for one day only at the Starbright Theater, 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd., Summerlin, Sunday, Sept. 21.
The Los Angeles Times says this show is “Ferociously funny.” Variety dubbed the show “a one-man riot.” NPR says, “Jeff Wayne has an attitude like Al Bundy, this guy is laughs plus!” Wayne spent many hours researching barbeques, as he began writing the show. Once it was on paper he went to his friend, Ted Lange, who is best remembered as, Isaac (the bartender) on the television series, “The Love Boat,” and asked him if he would direct the show. Lange has kept busy since the “Boat” years directing movies. He just completed filming 26 episodes of “Mr. Box Office,” starring Jon Lovitz, and will be on the “Love Boat” float in the annual Rose Bowl Parade.
The plot of the show is simple: Jeff plays a letter carrier on his day off. He has his weekly barbeque, where he invites his friends over (the audience), and as he cooks Wayne pontificates and opines. “They say you should cut down on red meat, I stopped using Ketchup.” And he tells his audience about the lady we never see but her presence permeates, his XX-wife Phyllis. “Yes we were married, divorced and then I remarried, I wanted my house back!” There is a problem at today’s barbeque, Phyllis has been given tickets to the opera, and she wants to go. Big Daddy doesn’t. Many critics have had the same response, “it’s like watching Ralph and Alice Kramden in the “Honeymooners,” as Big Daddy tries to laugh, sing and dance his way out of going to the opera.
Wayne was always a funny kid, and as soon as he was able to leave Kentucky, Jeff traveled west to learn how to make people laugh, eventually landing at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood. A seasoned veteran today, Wayne continues to perform his stand-up comedy at clubs, colleges, cruise lines, and on all the top television shows such as HBO, Showtime, A&E, Fox, and Comedy Central. The late Joe Delaney, of The Las Vegas Sun, tagged him as a “blue collar Lenny Bruce.”
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Nov. Las Vegas Backstage Talk column
by Michele LaFong
Nov. LVBST syndicated column in Casino Player Magazine, and Gaming Today.
LVBST- Every Thursday, 6pm-7pm PST on 1230AM KLAV and streaming live.
I recently interviewed Ted Lange, who is best remembered as Isaac (the bartender) on the television series, “The Love Boat,” and learned that he has kept pretty busy since the “Boat” years directing movies, and just completed filming 26 episodes of “Mr. Box Office,” starring Jon Lovitz. Ted also demonstrated to me that he has a unique knack for transforming stand-up comedy acts into successful one-man shows, as he did when directing his friend Comedian Jeff Wayne in “Big Daddy’s Barbeque,” a show which has been performed over 1,000 times in more than thirty cities. From its debut it was a critical and popular success. Even NBC took notice and a television pilot was made.
The original national tour and success was largely obtained by following Rob Becker’s formula for a one-man show, “Defending the Caveman,” which continues its long run on the Las Vegas Strip. Both Wayne and Lange decided it was time to bring “Big Daddy’s Barbeque,” to the Starbright Theater in Summerlin, for its “one day only” Vegas debut. It was performed to a packed house, and the show was very well received. I will keep you posted with updates on this in future columns.
I recently received a call from a Japanese Production company that was shooting a TV documentary on NTV about an established Japanese comedian, Tomonori Jinnai, coming to the US to perform for the first time. I was asked to watch the show and give on-camera feedback alongside Jeff Singer, Executive Programming Consultant for the Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and John Stuart, founder of Legends in Concert. The sold out event took place at the Tommy Wind Theatre, on the Las Vegas Strip. It was impressive to learn that Tomonori had learned to translate his show in English specifically for this filming and had been performing it for the first time. After witnessing Tomonori’s unique brand of comedy, I have a feeling his name might be recognized here in Vegas very soon. Remember, you heard it here first!
Comedian Felicia Michaels was nominated twice for Funniest Female Comic by the American Comedy Awards; in 1999 she won the award. Her credits include appearing on Showtime, MTV, VH1, NBC, as well as twice on ABC’s Full House, and in three movies. She posed for Playboy and was featured in the October 1992 issue. Before she took an eight year hiatus from comedy to be a stay at home mom, Felicia was headlining comedy clubs 48 weeks out of the year. She was also a Grand Champion on Star Search, winner of the $100,000 prize. Before interviewing Michaels, I watched her set. She was an even stronger comic than I remembered her to be with smart well-constructed jokes, sharp timing, and memorable stage presence. Backstage in between shows comedy veteran Bob Zany, a clear fan of Felicia’s was singing her praises. “You are going to love her. She’s terrific, has a great attitude and is so funny. I lost to Felicia twice on Star Search! We’re still friends to this day.” How ironic, I said, “Now she’s your feature act this week… That’s Show Business!” We all laughed and exchanged stories on what famous people had opened for us at one time or another only to then get their own sitcoms and become Stars. Felicia takes being humble to a whole to level. “When I first returned to this business after taking a hiatus, I performed my comedy in a bowling alley. I’m just so grateful that I am back working doing what I love.” Felicia will be returning as a feature act at The Laugh Factory on Valentine’s week, and funnyman Bob Zany will be headlining at The Riviera in December, when he will also return on LVBST. Both are worth catching. The audio of Felicia’s full interview is archived on LVBST’s website.
Another show not to be missed, and the first time ever on one stage is An Evening with the Next Generation with Master of Ceremonies Anthony Lewis, son of Jerry Lewis, starring: Ricci Martin, son of Dean Martin, Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland, Lena Prima, daughter of Louis Prima, Steve March-Torme, son of Mel Torme. These accomplished groups of artists perform an extraordinary musical celebration in honor of their legendary parents and selections from the American Songbook accompanied by a 10 piece band and historical videos- at M resort on November 8. Anthony Lewis and Steve March-Torme have previously guested on LVBST. Both are class acts, are very talented, and have very interesting backgrounds. If that’s any indication…this show should be a winner.
More Picks: Jay Leno, The Mirage, November 1, 21-22, Kiss, Hard Rock H &C, November 5-23, Rod Stewart, Caesar’s Palace, November 5-23, Santana, Mandalay Bay, November 5-18, Daniel Tosh, The Mirage, November 7- 8, Debbie Reynolds, South Point November 7-9, Roseann Barr, the Venetian, November 7 & 8, The Black Keys, Jake Bugg, the Cosmopolitan, November 8, Frankie Avalon, South Point November 14-16, Judas Priest, Palms, November 14, Whoopi Goldberg, Treasure Island, Nov. 14, Kelly Pickler, Golden Nugget, November 14, Ray Romano, Kevin James, the Mirage, November 14 & 15, Aaron Lewis, Golden Nugget, November 15, Tonic, Vertical Horizon, Eastside Cannery, November 15, Latin Grammy awards, MGM, November 20, Culture club, the Palms, November 22, Loni Love, the Venetian, November 22, Usher, MGM, November 22, The Whispers, Eastside Cannery, Nov. 22, Average White Band, Red Rock H & C, Nov. 22, Alice Cooper, Palms, November 26, Bill Cosby, Treasure Island, November 28, Chrissy Hynde, Palms, November 28, George Lopez, Mirage, November 28, 29, Joan Collins, South Point, 28- 29, Whitney Cummings, November 28- 29.
Kevin Cronin, Ian Anderson, Ted Lange
Sept. 18, 2014- 6-7pm PST 1230AM KLAV in LV & The Web
Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)
Iconic Lead Singer of REO Speedwagon Kevin Cronin guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.
“Keep On Loving You” rockers REO Speedwagon will bring nearly 40 years of hits to the Orleans Showroom September 19-20.
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.
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
Legendary Prog Pioneer Ian Anderson guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk.
A sequel to Thick as a Brick (1972), entitled Thick as a Brick 2, was released on 3 April 2012. It is billed as being performed by Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson instead of being a Tull album proper. Anderson is currently on tour performing both albums in their entirety. A trailer for the newer TAAB album is posted on YouTube.
Anderson played the flute on the track “Cannonball” by The Darkness on their 2012 album, Hot Cakes.
Congratulations on your new album release Homo Erraticus.-a concept album blending rock, folk, and metal music.
Ian Anderson at at Palms Sept. 19.
Ted Lange
Actor/Director Ted Lange guests on LVBST with Comedian Michele LaFong.
Comedian Jeff Wayne, will be performing his one-man show, “Big Daddy’s Barbeque,” for one day only at the Starbright Theater, 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd., Summerlin, Sunday, Sept. 21.
The Los Angeles Times says this show is “Ferociously funny.” Variety dubbed the show “a one-man riot.” NPR says, “Jeff Wayne has an attitude like Al Bundy, this guy is laughs plus!” Wayne spent many hours researching barbeques, as he began writing the show. Once it was on paper he went to his friend, Ted Lange, who is best remembered as, Isaac (the bartender) on the television series, “The Love Boat,” and asked him if he would direct the show. Lange has kept busy since the “Boat” years directing movies. He just completed filming 26 episodes of “Mr. Box Office,” starring Jon Lovitz, and will be on the “Love Boat” float in the annual Rose Bowl Parade.
The plot of the show is simple: Jeff plays a letter carrier on his day off. He has his weekly barbeque, where he invites his friends over (the audience), and as he cooks Wayne pontificates and opines. “They say you should cut down on red meat, I stopped using Ketchup.” And he tells his audience about the lady we never see but her presence permeates, his XX-wife Phyllis. “Yes we were married, divorced and then I remarried, I wanted my house back!” There is a problem at today’s barbeque, Phyllis has been given tickets to the opera, and she wants to go. Big Daddy doesn’t. Many critics have had the same response, “it’s like watching Ralph and Alice Kramden in the “Honeymooners,” as Big Daddy tries to laugh, sing and dance his way out of going to the opera.
Wayne was always a funny kid, and as soon as he was able to leave Kentucky, Jeff traveled west to learn how to make people laugh, eventually landing at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood. A seasoned veteran today, Wayne continues to perform his stand-up comedy at clubs, colleges, cruise lines, and on all the top television shows such as HBO, Showtime, A&E, Fox, and Comedy Central. The late Joe Delaney, of The Las Vegas Sun, tagged him as a “blue collar Lenny Bruce.”
Show time will be at 3:00 p.m., Sunday Sept. 21.call the theater box-office at 702-240-1301.
