Columnist Joe Delaney: The Smothers Brothers are a funny pair of survivors

Joe Delaney

Friday, May 1, 1998 | 10:20 a.m.

TOM AND DICK, the Smothers Brothers, performing in the Orleans Hotel showroom through Sunday, are hardy show business perennials. ... This is the duo's fifth decade as top-quality performers. ... Our first awareness of the brothers was as a musical act, an important part of the west coast folk music revival in the mid-1950s.

The Kingston Trio and the Limeliters led the way. ... Musically, the Smothers Brothers ranked right with them. ... Comedy came later, naturally, the sibling rivalry, "Mom always liked you best," became their "hook," the identifying catch phrase.

In the 1960s, their cutting edge CBS-TV variety show was a breath of fresh air for its comedy and commentary, as well as the musical content. ... It was a major launching period for Glen Campbell, Mason Williams and the late Pat Paulsen, plus a home for unusual comedians, too avant-garde for other shows.

Along came Joan

Refusing to compromise, the Smothers lost the TV show but retained their integrity. ... They continued to perform while each developed outside interests, realizing that show and business are two separate words. ... Things were quiet in Las Vegas. ... Like the song states, "Everybody Needs Somebody." ... This is the story of the somebody who sparked a mid-1980s LV renaissance for the brothers.

Joan Rivers was their somebody. ... Earlier, Rivers had had a disastrous start in Las Vegas, opening for Charles Aznavour at the Flamingo. ... She came back several years later as an opening act and slowly worked up to a co-star opener status at the various Hughes hotels.

Rivers' breakthrough was when she and David Brenner co-starred at the Riviera, ... This led to Rivers being signed to play Caesars Palace as a headliner in 1984. ... She wisely set some conditions precedents.

Those conditions

Rivers and her late husband Edgar Rosenberg insisted that the minimum not exceed $25, then decided to give the people a quality three-act show rather than the usual opener and headliner format. ... The Smothers Brothers was their choice for the middle act and Jim Stafford and others, such as a pre-HBO Garry Shandling as openers.

Joan Rivers' loss of her husband and other setbacks at the time sent her off in another direction. ... The Smothers Brothers have been successful closing acts here since. ... Jim Stafford parlayed his stint into a theatre in Branson, Mo. and is still doing well back there.

Another factor in the Smothers Brothers' resilience and longevity is a toy, the Yo-Yo, exhibiting another of Tom's talents. ... As the Yo-Yo Man, with brother Dick narrating, the duo helps the audience achieve many laughs and the exalted state of Yo for a dynamite closer.

Direct from Erin

David Parkes is Ireland's foremost inspirational singer. ... Less than a decade ago, Parkes was near death's door, ravaged by illnesses. ... A pilgrimage to Medjagorje resulted in a miraculous reversal, physically and spiritually. ... Parkes will be performing at several Catholic churches in the area with concerts at 7 p.m., preceded by a rosary at 6:30.

Parkes schedule: St. Christopher's in NLV, May 5; Our Lady of Quadalupe in Bunkerville, May 6; St. Peter the Apostle in Henderson, May 7; and Our Lady of Las Vegas on May 8. ... His concert includes "Let Me Live," sung for Mother Teresa just before her passing.

If you are a fan of klezmer music, we recommend the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Charleston Heights Center Ballroom, for both listening and dancing enjoyment. ... Call 229-6386 for details. ... Support community events.

Friday addenda

"Love Potion No. 10" at the Sahara this week and next features production values along with the music of three groups, the Coasters, Platters and Drifters. ... the LV All-Star High School Jazz Band will perform, 4:45-5:30 p.m. Saturday, as part of the LV Jazz Society May Month Picnic, 4-10 p.m. in the Clark County Government Center.

The free event also features Ricky Arroyo's Latin Jazz Percussion, the Bill Trujillo Jazz Sextet, Rocky Winslow and the UNLV Jazz Ensemble, and Brass on Grass. ... Walt Boenig conducts the LV All-Star High School Jazz Band and Walt Blanton, Brass on Grass. ... See you next Thursday.