Joe Delaney remembers 1979: Charo at the Sahara

Friday, Jan. 26, 2001 | 9:44 a.m.

Charo made her Las Vegas debut in the 1960s as the teenage bride of band leader Xavier Cugat at Caesars Palace. In the 1970s they headlined in the Tropicana Blue Room. After they were divorced she became a headliner in her own right at the Sahara, appearing in 1979 with comedian Dom DeLuise as her co-star. DeLuise, better known for his work in films, had an act best described as "organized chaos." He later headlined in the 1980s at the first MGM Grand, now Bally's. Charo, an accomplished guitarist, dancer and singer, later headlined at other casino area hotels, here and in Reno, Lake Tahoe and Sparks. She has not appeared here for several years.

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