Columnist Joe Delaney: Fountain and Butera in Orleans reunion

Joe Delaney

Friday, Feb. 20, 1998 | 10:53 a.m.

PETE FOUNTAIN, his clarinet, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, appearing tonight through Sunday in the Orleans Hotel showroom, plus Sam Butera & The Wildest in the Orleans Lounge takes this columnist back to New Orleans, 1951-1953. ... The Crescent City's famed French Quarter was a talent incubator, similar to Chicago in the late 1950s.

Louis Prima and Keely Smith were working for short money on Bourbon Street as was everyone else. ... The original Dukes of Dixieland has just replaced Sharkey Bonano & His Rhythm Kings; Sam Butera & The Witnesses became the alternate band at the Famous Door.

Al Hirt had a hot combo a few blocks away at Dan's 500 Club. ... On the Rue Royale, in the Hotel Monteleone Swan Room, Liberace and his brother George were working for less than $1,200 per week total. ... The late Sam Barbee, a Bally's fixture here, was the Swan Room maitre d'.

I was there

As a full-time law student at Tulane during that period, I still made time to do radio, produce recording sessions and hang out with comedian Shecky Greene, who doubled between the Preview Lounge, across from the Roosevelt Hotel, and his after-hours club, The Wit's End. ... Little did anyone dream that a few years later, the short money days would end.

Sam Butera & his Witnesses joined Louis Prima and Keely Smith in the Sahara Casbar in 1954 and the lounge era renaissance, started by the Mary Kaye Trio, made the lounges as important as main showrooms for more than a decade. ... The Dukes of Dixieland opened in 1955 at the Royal Nevada, the Stardust's south end. ... Shecky Greene headlined at the Frontier.

Liberace and brother George were the biggest winners, opening the new Riviera Hotel as headliners in 1955 for $50,000 per week. ... Al Hirt burst on the scene a few years later, a hit in the Dunes Lounge.

Anent Foutain

Pete Fountain was an important part of the Dukes of Dixieland when the group became the hottest attraction in Chicago's loop. ... Pete went back to New Orleans where he was "discovered" by Lawrence Welk and starred on the Welk TV show, 1957-1959. ... Al Hirt followed Fountain as featured soloist on the Welk show, a launching pad.

The Dukes of Dixieland, Pete Fountain and Al Hirt were Tropicana Blue Room regulars for Maynard Sloate when that was one of the finest small showrooms in town, into the 1970s. ... Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Dave Brubeck and Erroll Garner were others.

It's good to know that Pete and his clarinet are back in town, especially with the venerable Preservation Hall Jazz Band, if only for this weekend. ... Y'all come back, you hear? ... Take Al Hirt along with you next time.

Love Concert

Opportunity Village's 23rd annual Glenn Smith Concert of Love takes place this Sunday at 1:30 p.m., Caesars Palace Circus Maximus. ... Dick and Lynn Foster, producers of "Imagine" and "Spellbound," once again will contribute their services, likewise, the Caesars Palace stage, sound and lighting crews. ... Comedian Pudgy is the special guest artist.

Paige O'Hara and the Radio City Rockettes (Flamingo-Hilton); Michael Holly & Human Design from "Spellbound" (Harrah's); acts from "Imagine" (Luxor); One Spirit from "EFX" plus theme park characters (MGM Grand); and Jean Francois from "MADhattan" (New York, New York) will perform.

As Opportunity Village's first "Angel," we urge your attendance and support for Nevada's largest not-for-profit agency serving people with disabilities. ... Some 30 years ago, we hosted a radiothon that raised the seed money to bring Dr. Ted Johnson to LV, OV's beginning.

Friday addenda

Recommended: "Double Horns, Lynn Beck and Beth Lano," Monday at 7:30 p.m. in UNLV's Black Box Theatre. ... Pianist Barbara Riske and Jazz Organ-ization members; Vince Falcone, Joe Lano and Tommy Check will also perform. ... The Jazz Organ-ization continues, noon-3 p.m., Sundays at the Santa Fe. ... Happy Seventh, Santa Fe.

Chuck Diamond's Royal Dixie Jazz Band is now at the AVI Indian Casino, seven miles from Laughlin. ... One night special: David Benoit, Tuesday at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Riviera La Cage Theatre. ... Mondays in the Riv Lounge, it's the Don Menza Big Band. ... See you next Thursday.