Columnist Joe Delaney: Lounge era revisited

Joe Delaney

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

THE LOUNGE ERA began in the early 1950s with the Mary Kaye Trio in the original Frontier hotel-casino. ... Louis Prima and Keely Smith got hot when Sam Butera and his Witnesses joined the duo in the Sahara Casbar, circa 1955, raising the lounge importance to main showroom level. ... Louis, Keely and Sam moved into the main showroom at the Sands in the 1960s but it was never the same again.

Prima is long gone but Keely and Sam reunited several years ago in the Desert Inn lounge, now gone. ... The essence of Louis Prima was still present and the new duo once again built upon the interest Buddy Greco had created when he started the new policy in that room.

Keely and Sam were great together onstage but couldn't get along offstage. ... Keely now has her own group with Bobby Milano reprising Prima. ... Sam and the Wildest are back on their own.

Continuing on

The fact remains that Keely Smith and Sam Butera together were much stronger and doing much better, financially as well, than either was doing individually. ... Their updated 1950s sound and repertoire is just as viable today, but it is at its best when Keely and Sam are working together. ... Entertainment history is rife with stories of great duos that did not get along offstage.

Sharing the Sahara Casbar bill with Louis, Keely and Sam back then was a great comedy-musical group called the Characters. ... Blackie Hunt, husband of County Commissioner Lorraine Hunt, was a member of the Characters, likewise Johnny Ricco, still with us and active.

Don Rickles followed Prima, et al, into the Sahara Casbar and was boosted by the constant attendance of Frank Sinatra and his Sands Rat Pack. ... Don soon graduated to main showrooms and is still headlining here.

Riviera era

Shecky Greene is the all-time king of lounge comedy, first at the Tropicana, where he practically "carried" the hotel casino during a down period, more important to the gaming than what was going on in the showroom. ... The same was true during his tenure in the Riviera's lounge. ... When Shecky was away, the Riviera featured Totie Fields, Jan Murray, Jack E. Leonard, and Lionel Hampton and Vic Damone with Big Bands.

Vic Damone's Orchestra was conducted by the late Joe Parnello, who went on to conduct for Frank Sinatra. ... The band was propelled by drummer Joey Preston.

Pete Barbutti and Peter Anthony were Sahara Casbar comedic regulars in the 1970s and 1980s. ... Joey Preston was with Barbutti until recently. ... Pete's backing also included Gus Mancuso, piano, and Billy Crist, bass. ... We'll continue this next Friday.

Friday addenda

Today, lounge action is dominated by comedy clubs at Harrah's; Mario & Daniel are there this weekend; the Maxim, with Willie Tyler & Lester and Johnny Dark, plus Nick Lewin's Comedy Magic, afternoons; "Catch a Rising Star" (MGM); the Riviera with a Comedy Club, plus "Bottoms Up," afternoons; and the Tropicana Comedy Stop. ... Final weekends: Treniers (Orleans Hotel) and the Royal Irish Show Band (Santa Fe). ... See you next Friday.

JOE DELANEY has been active in the entertainment industry for more than 50 years. His column appears Thursdays and Fridays in the SUN.