Columnist Joe Delaney: Anka, Newton LV mainstays

Joe Delaney

Friday, May 30, 1997 | 11:44 a.m.

ANKA AND NEWTON opened Thursday in Bally's Celebrity Room and the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, respectively. ... Paul Anka, born in 1941, is not quite a year older. ... Wayne Newton was born in Norfolk, Va., and made it Las Vegas via Phoenix in his early teens. ... Paul, after a disastrous attempt in Los Angeles, returned home to Ottawa, then went to New York and came here just out of his teens.

Newton and his brother, Jerry, worked as a duo in the Fremont Lounge. ... Anka, on the strength of a megahit, "Diana," came to Las Vegas as an opening act for the late Sophie Tucker.

On opening night in the Sahara Congo Room, after the first show, Tucker suggested Anka close the show, which he did for the balance of the engagement. ... He has been a headliner here ever since. ... Jack Benny gave Wayne Newton his first opportunity in a main showroom.

Continuing on

Newton opened for Jack Benny at Harrah's, up north. ... He came back to Vegas a headliner and has been one for more than 30 years. ... Arranger Don Costa was Anka's first mentor. ... Costa not only produced Anka's first string of hits in the late 1950s, he arranged and produced Paul's composition "My Way" for Frank Sinatra, the latter's signature song.

Hotelier Ed Torres was Newton's first mentor; the late Bobby Darin was the second. ... Darin gave Wayne what was to be Bobby's follow-up to "Mack, The Knife," "Danke Schoen." ... Darin not only gave him the song, he produced the session -- Wayne's first million-seller.

Darin, five years older than Anka, was a profound influence on Anka, Newton and Tony Orlando as well. ... This weekend, Anka and Newton will both include tributes to Darin in their performance. ... You can bet that Orlando is doing likewise in Branson, Mo.

In conclusion

These continuing tributes are even more meaningful when you consider that Darin died in December 1973, at age 37. ... Anka is the more traditional nightclub performer, wearing a tuxedo and, a superb songwriter, singing mostly Anka, plus an occasional great standard. ... He has also been known to close with a contemporary medley.

Newton is more post-Presley Las Vegas, very contemporary. ... Although not a songwriter, he has a knack of making every song in his repertoire sound as though it were written for him personally.

Each has been a model of performing consistency. ... Newton is more synonymous with Las Vegas. ... Anka is more known internationally. ... I am proud to be friends with both. ... They have not spoken for years. ... I doubt that either can recall what caused the cessation of communication. ... It's time for them to resume the relationship.

Friday addenda

Our column will appear in the SUN on Friday only for the next two weeks. ... Lee Pete and I start our 2-4 p.m. weekday radio call-in run on KRLV 1340-AM this Monday. ... Give us a call. ... Eileen Alverez, community activist and great lady, is recuperating at home from major surgery. ... Drop her a line at 4412 S. Tennyson, LV, 89103. ... See you next Friday.