Friday, July 26, 2002 | 9:15 a.m.
Singer Jack Jones' first professional performance was in 1957 at the defunct Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas. He was 19.
"I was playing with my father," the 64-year-old Jones recalled during a recent phone interview. "I started in his act. The Dukes of Dixieland were in the casino's lounge. Down the street, in the lounge at the Sahara, was Louis Prima."
Jones' father was the late Allan Jones, a popular stage and film star and singer in the '30s and '40s. Among the elder Jones' more memorable movies were the Marx brothers' "A Night at the Opera" (1935) and "A Day at the Races" (1937). His most well-known song was "The Donkey Serenade."
Jack Jones' mother was Irene Hervey, also a popular film star in the '30s and '40s. She appeared opposite James Stewart in "Destry Rides Again" (1939).
He has been a popular performer in Las Vegas since that first appearance. In fact, Jones' two performances at the Suncoast Saturday and Sunday are sold out.
"I do well most places," Jones said. He wasn't bragging, merely stating a fact. He says he continues to do a lot of concerts all over the country, although in recent years he has adjusted his schedule so that he is home most weekends at his residence at Indian Wells, Calif.
Jones does that so he can spend as much time as possible with his 11-year-old daughter, Nicole, and his wife, Kim.
"I can work my schedule so that I'm home enough to be a good dad," Jones said.
His long tours usually last about two weeks.
"I don't want to be gone from home much longer than that," Jones said.
However, when he toured in the National Company production of "Man of La Mancha" for nine months in 2000-2001 he was forced to be away from home more than he wanted.
"I was fortunate," he said. "They let me off for one month and had somebody else play the lead."
Jones said the production was one of the greatest experiences in his life.
"It has carried over into my show," he said. "I start with a jazz flavor. The second half is Broadway and I close with a few songs from the 'La Mancha,' wearing a beard and moustache."
Jones says he would like to perform the role in Las Vegas.
"I think it's time for 'La Mancha' to come here and be part of the hotel scheme," he said.
When "Man of La Mancha" reached Broadway in 1968, Jones had the original hit recording of the production's "Impossible Dream."
Although Jones' parents were major celebrities when Jones was born in Hollywood, he has succeeded on his own talent. He won a Grammy in 1961 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Lollipops And Roses." Jones won a second Grammy in the same catetory in 1963 for "Wives And Lovers."
During his career he has had many memorable recordings, including "The Race is on," "Lady," "Call Me Irresponsible" and "Dear Heart." Perhaps the song that has been heard most often by the most people is the theme from the television series "Love Boat."
In addition to his hit singles, Jones has had 17 albums that made Billboard's top-20 charts.
While many performers who have been around as long as Jones are having difficulty finding audiences, Jones is as popular as ever. He recently returned from a successful concert tour in England.
But he is always happy to return to where his career began.
"I tell the story onstage of my father taking me down to catch the third show at the El Rancho," Jones said. "We went down to see Joe E. Lewis. Before he went onstage to perform, he was drunk. But when he got up in front of the audience, he was sober."
Whenever Jones is in town, he tries to catch up with old friends who still live here, such as Sonny King and Jimmy Vincent, former drummer for Louis Prima.
"I got stories," Jones said.
But fans will have to catch Jones' show to hear them.
