Buddy Greco’s lasting message: ‘Be true to yourself’
He was the type of man you wish you knew back when. And last Aug. 13, Buddy Greco did turn back the clock, enjoying the spotlight for what would be the last time as he hung with a showroom of well-wishers at the Italian American Club the day before his 90th birthday.
Greco, who died Thursday in Las Vegas, was a famous singer, best known for hitting the charts with “Lady Is a Tramp.” In his heyday, Greco commanded as much attention as any Las Vegas headliner, including his buddies in the Rat Pack.
A favorite clip, which was played at that August birthday bash, showed Greco singing “Lady Is a Tramp” alongside Frank SinatraandSammy Davis Jr. at Bally’s in December 1988. That event was a birthday party, too — celebrating both Sinatra and Davis, who were born that month.
Greco hailed from Philadelphia, but his desert roots ran deep. He debuted in Vegas at the lounge at the Sands in 1955, and he recorded the album “Buddy Greco Live at the Sands” in 1967.
Greco was a popular Strip performer through his later years, too, headlining at the Desert Inn’s Starlight Room in 1992 (where he met his future wife and then-opening act, Lezlie Anders) and at the Flamingo Showroom. More than a decade ago, he and Lezlie moved to Palm Springs, Calif., where he opened Buddy Greco’s Dinner Club, headlining there until the nightspot closed in 2009.
His appearance at the Italian American Club was his last big moment in Vegas, though he did not sing that night. Rather, his wife was joined by emcee Frank LaSpina for a night of tributes. Carmine Mandia, Joe Darro, Jeanne Breiand Martin Mancuso were among the city’s entertainment favorites who performed and toasted Greco from the stage.
As the night wound down, I mentioned to Greco that two of his contemporaries — Tony Bennett and Jerry Lewis — had also turned 90 earlier in the year. He smiled and said, “Don’t sell any of us short.”
I asked if he had any advice from the perch of a 90-year-old legend.
“Be original. Be honest. Be true to your heart, be true to your work, be true to yourself,” said Greco in what was, on this night, his final sendoff.
THE DICE FACTORY
Andrew Dice Clay will continue to be the primary comic at the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana. He’s booked there at 10 p.m. Feb. 2-4 and again Feb. 17-19. His schedule is likely to be extended through the end of April.
Another spike in the life and career of the Dice Man includes his new Fox series “My Kitchen Rules,” a culinary competition debuting 9 p.m. Thursday and pitting celebrity couples hosting dinner parties against each other.
Dice and his wife, Valerie, have been cast with such celebs as R&B artists Brandy and Ray J, country music superstars Naomi Judd, and reality TV star Brandi Glanville. The host is former NSync member Lance Bass; the judges are Curtis Stone (“Top Chef Masters”) and Cat Cora (“Iron Chef America”). Clay is also set to record Season 2 of “Dice” in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, beginning in March, with the Tropicana being used as a shooting location. The series resumes this year.
DAVE & MAHONEY … 2-6-17
The longtime Las Vegas morning radio duo Dave & Mahoney posted an 11-second video clip on Twitter showing a photo of themselves played to the sax solo from George Michael’s “Careless Whisper.” There is no text posted, other than the date 2-6-17.
— Dave and Mahoney (@DaveAndMahoney) January 5, 2017
This seems a tease. The radio team of Dave Farra, Jason MahoneyandDaena Kramer formed the popular “Dave, Mahoney & DK Morning Show” at KXTE-FM, 107.5. After a six-year run, the show moved to Houston in August 2015. It appears the team of Dave & Mahoney, at least, is heading back to the airwaves.
SMITH CENTER HAPS
Upcoming shows to note at Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center:
■ Niki Scalera, with her “Shirley and Me” tribute to Shirley Bassey, plays the venue at 7 p.m. Saturday and again at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Scalera has worked with ex-“Jersey Boys” music director Keith Thompson for several years on this adaptation of Bassey’s catalog.
■ Melody Sweets, with “The Sweets’ Spot,” is back Feb. 7. The Green Fairy from “Absinthe” debuted at Cab Jazz back in September. Joining her once more is the great bandleader Lon Bronson; added for this show are tap twins Sean & John Scott of “Absinthe.” Otherwise, it’s the requisite rollout of burlesque-fashioned numbers set to about an hour-long set of Sweets originals, covers and (in the striptease acts) uncovers. Sweets is also busy this week recording a video with the indie rock band The Shins.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
