Columnist Joe Delaney: Recalling the determination of the ‘Polish Prince’

Joe Delaney

Friday, March 10, 2000 | 9:14 a.m.

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

The year was 1960. ... The place, Atlantic City's famed Steel Pier, the hottest spot on the Boardwalk. ... The original Dukes of Dixieland were the star attraction, and the dance music between shows was provided by an excellent territorial band that played mostly in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The teenage leader had just taken over the band from his father.

His name: Bobby Vinton. ... Alfred Hitchcock's horror classic, "Psycho," had a midnight showing in a theater just across the Boardwalk from Steel Pier. ... We asked Bobby if he would like to go to see the film with us. ... He declined, saying he had to drive to New York City early in the morning.

The reason: The band had a contract with Columbia Records, now Sony, with just four more sides, two single releases left on its Epic label. ... Vinton and I had a cup of coffee between sets and he told me of his frustration with the record company.

What happened

The plan: "When I get there Monday morning, I do have an appointment. I'm going to go through all their songs rejected by Tony Bennett, Andy Williams and others on the label and pick out four songs. They have to understand that I am not a band singer, I am a singing performer who happens to lead a band. I have one more shot and I intend to prove my point."

That is exactly what he did. ... Out of that last recording session came "Roses Are Red," "Blue On Blue" and "Blue Velvet." ... Years later, "Blue Velvet" was the title of a successful film, and Vinton's version of the song was used in a British commercial, giving the song a total of three lives.

Comedian Shecky Greene, performing at the Riviera during this period, remarked on stage, "Vinton doesn't sing songs, he sings colors." ... Vinton did prove that he was a singing performer who also happened to lead a band. ... He is and still does.

This weekend

Vinton is appearing in the Riviera's new Royale Pavilion, tonight and Saturday. ... It has been four decades since that Sunday at the Steel Pier. ... His biggest recording hit, celebrating his ethnic heritage, "Melody Of Love," earned him the title of the "Polish Prince." ... It will be party time tonight and Saturday with Vinton & Co. in the Royale Pavilion.

One more vignette: Vinton had the house band for a '60s tour that included a number of performers with hit records. ... Tony Orlando and Dawn was one of the acts on the tour. Vinton was just getting hot with "Roses Are Red" and Orlando suggested he record "Tie A Yellow Ribbon." ... Vinton countered that Orlando should record it himself and Orlando did.

The two had their own theaters in Branson, Mo., for a number of years. ... They have also toured together in recent years, including a co-starring stint in the now-no-more Bally's Celebrity Room.

Local events

Sunday, starting at 4 p.m. in the Riviera's Le Bistro Lounge, a number of stars will perform in a benefit for cancer victim Lenny Souza, formerly drummer with Stark Naked and the Car Thieves. Tax-deductible donation tickets will be available at the door for $15. Proceeds will go to defray Souza's enormous medical expenses.

Kip Addotta, Bernie Allen, Freddie Bell, Debi Gutierrez, Jim LeBoeff, Susan McDonald, John Padon, Wild Willy Parsons, Breck Wall and the Don Rose Classic Show Band are all scheduled to perform. ... Rest assured the final list will be at least twice as long.

Also on Sunday at 3 p.m., you should have your tickets by now, it's the 25th annual Concert of Love for Opportunity Village, in the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus with CPCM headliners Chicago leading an all-star list of guest performers backed by the Glenn Smith Orchestra.

Friday addenda

The Sons of Erin's 25th annual St. Patrick's Day celebration starts Monday with D.J. Curtin and the Shamrocks, opening for the week at the Sahara, host hotel for the weeklong daily events, culminating in the St. Patrick's Day Parade next Saturday and daylong block party and entertainment. ... On March 30, at Arizona Charlie's, Tony Kenny, comedian Joe Cuddy and the Sentimental Irish Company will be the attraction in the hotel's Palace Grand Theatre.

Female magicians from all over the world are convening at the Year 2000 Women In Magic Conference, closing today at the Imperial Palace. It's that time of year, please give what you can to the Sun Summer Camp Fund. ... See you next Thursday.