Joe Delaney remembers 1962: Bobby Darin at the Flamingo

Friday, Sept. 29, 2000 | 10:24 a.m.

Bobby Darin, riding high with his recording of "Mack the Knife," was touted as the eventual successor to Frank Sinatra. Darin, in poor health later, died in 1973. His career went through several phases, but he continued to headline here until 1972. Darin also gave Wayne Newton his first hit, "Danke Schoen," producing the session as well. Allan Drake was a funny, brash, New York-style comedian, while Chiquita & Johnson were an adagio dance team. Nat Brandwynne moved to the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus as musical director when the hotel-casino opened in 1966. The Flamingo lounge was also hot with Lionel Hampton and his orchestra, co-starring with Della Reese.

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