Columnist Joe Delaney: Newton-John misunderstood in her early days on the Strip

Joe Delaney

Friday, July 16, 1999 | 9:45 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@vegas.com.

Olivia Newton-John, coincidental with her first album release in four years, "Back With A Heart," is performing in the Desert Inn's posh Crystal Room tonight through Sunday. ... Olivia made her Las Vegas debut in the mid-1970s as an opening act for the late Charlie Rich at the LV Hilton, then home base here for Elvis Presley.

Ed Torres was the Riviera Hotel chief executive officer at that time. ... He suggested the personal manager of a top comedian headliner go over to the Hilton and check out Olivia Newton-John. ... The personal manager's retort: "I don't want no trios opening for my act." ... He thought Olivia, Newton and John were a trio, a latter-day edition of Peter, Paul and Mary.

Olivia was receiving a reported $25,000 a week at the Hilton. ... Torres later paid her top dollar (six figures) as a headliner. ... As a result, he did not renew the top comedian's contract.

Newton-John update

Olivia went on to win multiple Grammys plus Country Music Association, American Music Association and People's Choice awards, with five No. 1 hits, 15 Top 10 singles, and a co-starring role with John Travolta in "Grease," producing one of the must successful soundtracks ever. ... "Magic," from the film "Xanadu," went to No. 1 on the charts and "Physical," a single, earned her the third Grammy Award.

A breast cancer sufferer, Olivia took time out to raise her daughter and recuperate. ... Back in action full time, she devotes time to promote breast cancer awareness. ... The new album, recorded in Nashville, includes a remake of the top hit, "I Honestly Love You."

Olivia may be learning here that the personal manager of the top comedian thought she was actually a trio. ... The personal manager is deceased. ... The comedian, Don Rickles, is now a Desert Inn headliner.

Anent Ed Torres

Torres was Wayne Newton's boss and first LV mentor when a teenage Wayne and his brother Jerry worked as a duo in the Fremont Hotel lounge, six nights a week, six hours a night, 45 minutes on and 15 off. ... Torres moved to the Riviera Hotel when it opened in 1955. ... Newton was on his way to becoming a main showroom act and discussed this with Torres. ... Ed felt the Riviera showroom was too large a venue.

The Riviera Versailles Room could handle 1,000 at cocktail shows and 900 for dinner shows. ... Torres helped Wayne secure a contract at the Flamingo, not yet the Flamingo Hilton, which sat 450.

Torres once told me he never should have let Newton get away. ... Later Torres and Newton joined forces as owners of the Aladdin hotel. ... It was not a good combination. ... It may have been that Torres still thought of Wayne as the ambitious youngster who worked for him at the Fremont. ... Newton opened Thursday for a fortnight at the MGM Grand.

Friday night special

Master musician and song stylist Buddy Greco and Lezlie Anders and her orchestra will perform in the Flamingo Hilton showroom tonight starting at 8 o'clock. ... Gene White and his orchestra will play for listening and dancing on July 23 and 30, with Greco and Anders returning Aug. 6. ... "The Great Radio City Spectacular" is off on Fridays.

Greco was a child phenomenon with a hit record on Fats Waller's "Ooh, Look-A There Ain't She Pretty" in his early teens. ... Still a teenager, he took over the piano chair with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. ... Anders, Mrs. Greco, is a fine singer in her own right.

Anders' orchestra includes many of the best musicians in this area. ... Greco's career spans 55 years. ... His reputation is worldwide. ... A Las Vegas resident, he spends six months a year performing inm Europe and the Far East. ... Tony Orlando, currently at the Sparks Nugget through Wednesday, is slated for an Aug. 14 date at the Flamingo Hilton in the convention area.

An Elvis weekend

"Images of Elvis" can be found throughout the Imperial Palace today through Sunday, with the big finale on Sunday at 8 p.m. ... Four actresses who have appeared with Elvis in films -- Julie Parrish, Cynthia Pepper, Ann Helm and Deborah Walley -- will be on hand for the festivities. ... Elvis' archival memorabilia will be auctioned in October, Columbus Day weekend, at the MGM Grand.

Circle Aug. 11 on your calendar, the Circus Saints and Sinners will roast Mayor Oscar Goodman at 7:30 p.m. in the new Caribbean Cabana restaurant on West Sahara. ... Call 363-3768 for reservations. ... Roastmasters will include Pete Barbutti, Jay Bernard, Pat Cooper, Sandy Hackett, Sonny King, Steve Rossi, Nelson Sardelli and this columnist. ... See you next Thursday.