Columnist Joe Delaney: Looking back over decades of LV experiences

Joe Delaney

Friday, June 12, 1998 | 10:12 a.m.

THIRTY-ONE YEARS. ... Our first Sun column appeared on June 19, 1967. ... The first critique, covering Ann-Margret's Riviera debut earlier that year, appeared in the late Hank Greenspun's "Where I Stand" space. ... It was managing editor Bryn Armstrong, now retired and living in Washington state, who brought us into the Sun family.

In the 1970s, the Delaney weekly schedule included four Sun columns, 15 hours of call-in talk radio, five hours of live television and, starting September, 1973, teaching a three-credit course in hotel entertainment for the UNLV College of Hotel Administration.

Volunteer time was also made to produce and direct telethons, local and national, for Easter Seals; Nites of Stars for St. Jude's Ranch for Children; Starlite Parties for Helen J. Stewart School; and fund-raisers for Variety Club and for Fitzimmons House, now known as WestCare.

1970 Stars

There were show openings almost every night in the 1970s. ... Shows were twice a night, 8 p.m. dinner shows and midnight drinks shows, seven nights a week. ... One Nite of Stars at the Hilton included Susan Anton with Sylvester Stallone, Roy Clark, Robert Goulet, Jerry Lewis, Liberace, Rich Little, Gary Mule Deer, Wayne Newton, Joan Rivers and Fred Travalena plus emcee Pete Barbutti and Charlton Heston as a walk-on.

On another occasion, for City of Hope, Rich Little doing a Tom Jones impression was interrupted by Tom, who helped Rich improve his carbon and wound up as a "two Tom Jones" duet.

If in town, Frank Sinatra was an automatic "Yes." ... Paul Anka is another who never said "No." ... Sammy Davis Jr. was our host for an Easter Seals telethon where we had Anka, Goulet and Jerry Vale singing "My Way" as a trio effort. ... Those days are sadly gone.

Stars today

Susan Anton is currently starring in "The Great Radio City Spectacular" (Flamingo-Hilton); Wayne Newton just closed at the MGM Grand; Tom Jones took over there last night; while Paul Anka is at the Mirage this weekend and next. ... Anka, Anton, Jones and Newton all played here in the late 1960s. ... Newton had just graduated to main showroom headliner.

During the 1970s and into the 1980s, Newton worked 40 weeks or more a year between the Desert Inn, Frontier and Sands, a two-hour early show and a three-hour or more late show. ... Those statistics will never be equalled but there is hope for the return of more star-policy entertainment in the foreseeable future.

Sandy Gallin joining the Mirage family and Joel Fischman's entertainment plans for the Luxor, Mandalay Bay and other Circus Circus properties are positive indications.

More catch-up

The 32nd year will actually start with our return from a vacation at home on July 2. ... Meanwhile, there is some unfinished business. ... Please support Golden Rainbow, which has raised more than $1 million for HIV-AIDS victims locally by attending the 12th annual "Ribbon of Life" production spectacular, 1 p.m., June 20 and 21, in the Luxor Theatre.

Las Vegan Kristin North is in the first violin section of the Arizona Opera Wagnerian Festival Orchestra, led by Stefan Minde, for the Richard Wagner "Ring" cycle, last week and this week, in Northern Arizona's Ardrey Memorial Auditorium in Flagstaff, receiving rave reviews. ... Perhaps LV musicians can work steadily at home in the future.

Olga Breeskin's "Pasion Mexicana" is a hit at the Showboat. ... Pianist Mike Breene, bassist Bob Badgley and drummer Santo Savino play, 5-9 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday at the Santa Fe Hotel.

Wrapping up

UNLV's Theatre Arts Department has been honored by Stage Directions magazine as one of "10 U.S. theater companies that have made a difference." ... Catch Aisling and the Shannon Band, Wednesday nights at the CBS Sports Casino. ... Garold Gardner's production of "Oklahoma" plays through July 3 at 8 p.m. in the Rainbow Library Amphitheater.

The Asylum Theatre's "Innocent Thoughts" opens tonight at 8 p.m. through July 5, Winchester Arts Center. ... Support the Sun Summer Camp Fund. ... See you here on July 2.