Feeney’s flying star lands on the Strip

By Jerry Fink

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 | 2 a.m.

The Flying Elvi didn’t drop out of the sky to help producer Dick Feeney celebrate his star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

But they were there for their boss in spirit.

Feeney became the 31st person to receive a star, joining a list of Vegas personalities to be so honored since the organization was created four years ago. Others include the Society of Seven, Tony Sacca, Trini Lopez, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Marino, who impersonates Joan Rivers in a show at the Riviera.

The stars are placed in various locations around the Strip. Feeney’s will be in front of New York-New York.

In addition to owning the Flying Elvi sky-diving team, Feeney is a co-producer of the “Rat Pack Is Back” and “Viva Las Vegas,” both at the Plaza. He came to Vegas about 25 years ago as a performer with his band Gemini and later became a show producer — his first show was “Lullaby of Swing” in Hawaii.

In 1985 Feeney became a co-producer of “An Evening at La Cage” and in 1987 a co-producer of “Crazy Girls” in 1987, both at the Riviera.

Lounge legend turns 87

Don Hill, former saxophonist with the legendary lounge group the Treniers, will celebrate his 87th birthday Nov. 1 at the Caylix Jazz Supper Club.

The Treniers were one of the earliest rock ’n’ roll bands on record. They became a popular lounge act in Vegas, overcoming segregation policies in the ’40s and ’50s to become one of the longest-running acts in Vegas.

Hill roomed with Claude Trenier in college but left before graduating to play with Tiny Bradshaw, a prominent jump-blues bandleader of the ’30s and ’40s. Hill toured with Louis Armstrong from 1944 to 1946. He then started his own band in 1947 and joined forces with his old college roommate and twin brother Cliff Trenier in 1948 to start the Treniers. The group, which bridged the gap between swing and rock ‘n’ roll, signed with the legendary Okeh label and produced a string of killer rock ’n’ roll sides, including “Rockin’ Is Our Business,” “Rockin’ On Saturday Night” and “It Rocks, It Rolls, It Swings!” The group performed continuously for 55 years.

At his birthday bash, Hill will perform with the Speakeasy Swingers, a group he co-founded. Jeanne Brei is the vocalist for the group. Phil Flowers and his band also will perform.

Details: 7 p.m. Nov. 1; Caylix Jazz Supper Club, 4760 W. Sahara Ave, site of the former Café Michelle; $10 cover, with a two-drink minimum at the tables and free birthday cake; 645-5299.

Around town

The musical “Shenandoah” will be staged at the College of Southern Nevada’s Cheyenne campus on the next three weekends. (Horn Theater; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2 p.m. Nov. 2; and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7-8; $12.50 for adults, $10 for students and seniors; 651-5483) ... Vocalist Freda Payne will perform her “A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald” at The Club in the Cannery at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10 at the door ... The Performing Arts Society of Nevada’s Brown Bag Concerts presents vocalist Tina Walsh and pianist Philip Fortenberry performing “The Music of Burt Bacharach” (2 p.m. Sunday, Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, $15, 658-6741) ... Vocalist Jeneane Marie comes to Marilyn’s Lounge in the Eastside Cannery on Nov. 21-22. She has performed with the likes of George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Liberace, Rich Little, Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, Mel Torme, Wayne Newton and Frank Sinatra.