Columnist Jerry Fink: Vocalist Polistico still has a fighting chance

Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 | 8:40 a.m.

The historic 1975 fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, "The Thrilla in Manila," almost launched a career in the United States for vocalist and impressionist Jun Polistico.

Don King produced the bout, which Ali won when Frazier could not continue for the 15th round.

"Days before the fight I performed for King and his entourage at a big dinner," said Polistico, a headliner at Fitzgeralds. "He was surprised to hear a Filipino sing -- I sang Sinatra and Mathis."

The boxing promoter had brought a lot of performers with him from the United States -- among them the Checkmates (still one of Vegas' most popular lounge acts).

King was impressed by Polistico's vocal abilities, as were the entertainers in his party.

"I did three songs and got a standing ovation," he recalled. "After that I went around with him when he was doing his publicity for the fight."

King wanted to take him to New York. Polistico declined.

"I was young and scared," he said. "I didn't know the business. I didn't have a manager."

The next year Polistico joined the impressionist group Society of Seven, who were at the height of their popularity in Hawaii. He replaced Robert Nievera, father of Martin Nievera.

Martin, one of the hottest entertainers in the Philippines, performed for several weeks at the Golden Nugget this year.

"I didn't know I sang impressions until I joined SOS," Polistico said. "I just recorded songs and sounded like Sinatra or Mathis or Andy Williams. When I joined SOS, they started using that in the act."

He became a member of the group in 1976. About six months of each year they traveled, performing in Canada and the United States. The rest of the year they were at the Outrigger. Polistico stayed with them until 1983.

"I just felt it was time for me to go on my own," he said.

He says he is still friends with SOS, which has an afternoon gig at Bally's Jubilee! Theatre.

When they parted company he moved to California and formed his own group, Valentino. It was a high-energy show and dance band.

"We played in Las Vegas lounges for four years," Polistico recalled. "The old Maxim. The Plaza."

In 1989, he says, God told him to return to the Philippines. After performing several shows he was preparing to go to Hawaii, but an attempted coup indirectly stopped him.

While in his native country, Polistico had signed a deal with a recording company, and the contract required that he perform at several casinos. The coup kept him from fulfilling the contract immediately, so he stayed longer than he anticipated -- about 15 years longer.

A record he made became a hit, so he decided to remain in the Philippines, where he has had a successful career.

Last year he decided it was time to return to Vegas.

"I had been traveling a lot, in Australia, Europe, Asia. Wherever there was a Filipino community," he said. "I just wanted to come back to Vegas."

Polistico says the move isn't permanent. He will continue to perform in his native country, where he maintains a residence, as well as in Vegas.

He's been at Fitzgeralds for about a month. His contract is for six months.

"They asked me to audition," he said. "They said they were concerned about whether I would be able to relate to the mainstream market, so they asked me to perform in the small lounge downstairs."

After 45 minutes a huge crowd had gathered, and so they moved Polistico upstairs.

The room's seating capacity is about 120, which he says is comfortable for now. But eventually he would like a larger venue, maybe 500 or 600 seats.

"I grew up in the nightclub atmosphere," he said.

For a "thrilla" in Las Vegas, check out Polistico at 9 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays.

Lounging around

Flamenco guitar enthusiasts, circle your calendars -- at 2 p.m. on Sept. 19 the remarkable Ricardo Griego and his band ZORRO! will perform at the Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, near Maryland Parkway. Griego has a regular gig from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at the Hyatt Regency.

Labor Day weekend will be a busy one for the Overlords. Tonight they will perform two sets at the Saloon adjacent to downtown's Neonopolis, the first from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and the second from 9:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. There is free parking under the Neonopolis with validation from the bartender inside the Saloon.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. the group will perform at the world-famous Mountain Springs Saloon on State Route 160, 15 miles southwest of Vegas on the road to Pahrump.

First Friday festivities begin at 6 tonight in the Arts District at South Main Street and Charleston Boulevard. Colorado Avenue will be closed off for pedestrian traffic only from Third Street to Main Street, with areas set up for lounging and crowd watching. The pedestrian-only area will feature artists' booths, live music by surf band Vista Four, barbecue by Sweet Georgia Browns and beverages by Dino's Lounge.