Columnist Jerry Fink: Playing Sammy just one diversion for Dean

Friday, Jan. 30, 2004 | 8:30 a.m.

Lambus Dean, vocalist and Sammy Davis Jr. tribute artist, once was a part-time lottery ball in his native Chicago.

"It was fun dealing with people," said Dean, who wore a costume that turned him into the ball. "I earned $25 an hour doing promotions for the lottery. One time I shook hands with a guy who won $45 million."

Dean knew even in elementary school that he would one day be an entertainer, but the 55-year-old singer has never felt comfortable pursuing it as a full-time career.

"I have never entertained full time," he said. "I didn't want to take a chance on entertainment coming out from under my feet. I didn't think I was good enough to do it.

"I have had to have the security blanket of a job to pay the rent, but I enjoy performing, entertaining. It's a big hobby for me."

Dean says he has been fortunate in the jobs he has held over the years.

"Most of them have allowed me time off, without pay, to travel as needed," he said. "One time I spent two months in Europe doing a musical documentary, and I had my job when I came back."

In addition to being a lottery ball, Dean (at various times) worked in the shipping department of Arthur Anderson & Co., was a paralegal assistant for a patent law firm and held down other jobs while living in Chicago.

He made sure the day jobs didn't interfere with his nights and weekends, when he sang in nightclubs and other venues.

"They used to call me little Lou Rawls because I did a lot of his songs -- him and Sam Cooke," Dean said.

He understudied for a Sammy Davis Jr. tribute artist in a Rat Pack Show.

"Growing up, I always mimicked Sammy," Dean said. "I didn't realize that one day I would be portraying him."

He sang with wedding bands for five years.

"Each wedding had their own preference of songs," Dean said. "So every week I had to learn a new song or two, which built up my repertoire."

Five years ago he decided to take a shot at Vegas. His three sons and three daughters were grown, so he felt comfortable about taking a chance moving to the entertainment capital.

The job he had when he arrived fell through within a month, but he had already landed a gig at the Riviera as lead singer for Touch of Silk.

It was the only job he had for almost a year.

"I didn't like it," Dean said. "The income wasn't steady; I might be off two or three weeks at a time."

His friend Myrtle Scott, a fellow member of the New Bethel Baptist Church, arranged for him to get a job with Nevada Beverage, where he is now a sales clerk in the company's retail store at 3940 W. Tropicana Ave.

With the peace of mind of having a day job, Dean worked nights in a variety of venues, including as Sammy Davis Jr. with the Rat Pack tribute group "Our Way."

"Our Way" recently landed a contract on the East Coast, but Dean declined to accompany the group.

For one thing, he likes his job with Nevada Beverage.

And he has a variety of other singing engagements, including being a substitute for Spectrum at the Boardwalk when one of the singers can't make it.

Also, he recently started a monthlong dinner theater gig at the Westward Ho, which he thinks could lead to something bigger.

He and Lou Ragland (a member of the Ink Spots) are producing "A Musical Journey on Route 66," a 55-minute musical tribute that highlights performers who are connected to the famous highway.

Also in the cast are Eddie Stancil (another member of the Ink Spots) and vocalist Loni Clark.

Ned Mills is musical director.

The bare-boned production was shown the highest compliment by the diners on opening night -- no one got up and left after they finished eating.

Dean is auditioning for a Sammy Davis Jr. part in a touring production of "Mr. Bojangles" that is being put together by Davis' widow, Altovese.

"They have had a national search, looking for two singers to portray Sammy," Dean said. "Their last stop for auditions is here in Vegas."

If he wins one of the parts, he will have to tour the nation.

"That's OK," Dean said. "For this, I would be willing to give up my day job."

Lounging around

The Club, in the Cannery, will feature a series of free performances by tribute bands during February -- Legends of Music Month. Shows begin at 8 p.m. On Feb. 6-7 The Fab will pay homage to the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' first live American television appearance.

On Feb. 13-14 Steve Lippia (as Frank Sinatra), Doug Starks (Sammy Davis Jr.) and Rick Michel (Dean Martin) will be featured in a Valentine's weekend performance of "Frank, Sammy & Dean -- Hear and Now." The show begins at 7 p.m. with a 12-piece orchestra and an hour of ballroom dancing.

Chris Hiatt and Cold Shot will pay tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn in performances on Feb. 20-21.

Peace Frog will close out the series with a tribute to Jim Morrison and the Doors Feb. 27-28.

The neighborhood restaurant Malibu Chan, 8125 W. Sahara Ave., will host The Oasis Smooth Jazz Nights from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays in February and March. The February lineup of artists includes Calvin Brooks (Wednesday), Millard Jackson and Cool, Sacred Groove and Jim Spoto.

The Nightclub inside the Las Vegas Hilton resurrects the disco era with Disco Nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There will be a Dance Mania dance contest every Sunday from Feb. 1 through April 25, with contestants dressed in disco costumes. Pre-judging begins at 10 p.m. Competition begins at 11 p.m. A list of rules is available at the Las Vegas Hilton box office.