Which less-obvious entertainers add up in Nevada history?
In a night of highlights, one genuine surprise. Monday’s Smith Center concert celebrating the 150th birthday of Nevada included a tribute to the vintage lounge scene, and Sonny Charles singing “Black Pearl.”
“I haven’t done that song since I joined Steve (Miller) in 2008,” says Charles, now part of the Steve Miller Band. But “Black Pearl” was a No. 13 hit for Charles and The Checkmates in 1969, making them the rare Las Vegas lounge act with a current place in the Top 40.
Charles says the Checkmates came to town in 1964, which made us both realize a 50-year milestone less heralded than The Beatles at the convention center.
The Nevada 150th show came not long after Joan Rivers died. To localize her obit, I kept finding earlier and earlier dates of Rivers performing here. The Riviera in 1969 may not have been the first, but gave her at least 43 years of working the Strip.
Some of us probably won’t be around to celebrate Nevada’s bicentennial, so I tried to think of more entertainers sneaking up on us with their longevity, but not instantly synonymous with Las Vegas — and the Reno-Lake Tahoe scene as well. Less-heralded ones, beyond the obvious Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, Don Rickles, etc.
■ Singers: They best illlustrate this point about association. Tony Orlando and Bill Medley are obvious, because they fit the image of the classic Vegas showman.
Did you think of Debbie Reynolds? Headlining Las Vegas since at least 1962 and due back at the South Point in November. How about some teen idols who evolved more into tuxedoed showmen: Frankie Avalon, the Lettermen and James Darren? How about Air Supply?
■ Lounge stars: As cool as the lounge tribute was, it couldn’t include everyone who made “lounge” a genre beyond a location. So let’s raise a glass to Jerry Tiffe for still suiting up at Arizona Charlie’s on Fridays. Root for the return of recently sidelined Cook E. Jarr, but don’t forget ivory-ticklers David Osbourne or Wes Winters.
■ Comedians: Monday’s show missed a whole genre, though Louie Anderson — who has worked Las Vegas for 30 years — was originally in the lineup. Rita Rudner also has a continuing presence, and at least 24 years as a Las Vegas headliner.
Less obvious is Paula Poundstone, working The Orleans this weekend. She goes back to at least 1992. How about Dana Carvey or Dennis Miller, who first played Caesars Palace on the same bill in 1988?
We could talk Steven Wright, Dom Irrera, even Jay Leno. But my vote for the most overlooked Las Vegas comedian? Jimmie J.J. Walker, he of “Good Times” fame. Walker still plays the Riviera Comedy Club about once a month, as he seems to have been since the late 1980s. That’s a lot of “Dyn-o-mite!”
Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.
