Friday, June 27, 2003 | 5:38 a.m.
WEEKEND EDITION
June 28-29, 2003
What: "Star Spangled Spectacular."
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. concert; 9:30 p.m. fireworks.
Where: Hills Park, 9100 Hillpointe Drive, Summerlin.
Tickets: $15; $50.
Information: 895-2787.
When it comes to fireworks, George Zambelli has seen and heard it all.
The soaring whistles. The crackling pops. The thundering kabooms.
As the son of Italian immigrants who left Naples in 1893 with a black book of secret family fireworks recipes, George Zambelli has spent his lifetime under the patriotic aerial bursts.
Known as "Boom-Boom," "Mr. Fireworks" and "The Great Zambelli," he took over the family business in 1957 and witnessed as the industry blossomed from old-fashioned hand-launched displays to the dazzling computer-designed electronic shows set to music.
His family's handiwork will be featured Friday on the Travel Channel's "Greatest Fireworks on Earth," and in the soon-to-be-released book, "Zambelli: The First Family of Fireworks, A Story of Global Success."
Locally, the Zambellis will present a show Friday at Las Vegas Philharmonic's "Star Spangled Spectacular" at Hills Park in Summerlin.
During the busiest time of year, the 78-year-old Zambelli took a few minutes to talk with the Las Vegas Sun about the family business.
Las Vegas Sun: What drew your parents to the fireworks industry?
GZ: Occupations were somewhat hard to come by in Italy. And the Italians expanded fireworks more than any other country. Instead of raising goats on the hillsides, he did this, and this has been very, very successful.
Sun: Did you or your father have any idea that the shows would evolve to what we see today?
GZ: I never surmised we'd be able to put it together like it is today. And I know my father would be astounded because of the volume and what you can do. It's the method of firing. You've got electronic firing, now. You've got computers. You can almost make them talk.
Sun: How did computers change your shows?
GZ: A tenth of a second on a computer? There's no way you can do that by hand. And that's what we used to do, fire it by hand. We'd have a torch that you would use to ignite the fuse and that takes time. Then you've got to pull the cap and light it.
You can't get any perfect synchronization in that fashion. With a computer, this is all preloaded. Everything goes into a mortar beforehand. It's amazing what gets done. We're probably one of the first who used a computer from start to finish.
Sun: When did you switch?
GZ: We started using computers about seven or eight years ago. You have a script. If you need a certain shell, the computer will tell you. Years ago you didn't have that advantage. The solid-state and the computer has been the greatest advantage we've had.
Sun: Is Fourth of July preparation a year-round effort for your family?
GZ: As soon as this one's over, trucks are returned, we start for next year. It's quite involved.
Sun: You also do corporate events, weddings, private parties?
GZ: Fireworks are being used more and more, really. Because when you stop and realize the number of people you're hosting, fireworks are a matter of pennies or even less.
Sun: What is the average cost of a show?
GZ: It varies, of course. There are budgets over $100,000 and there's budgets maybe $5,000, maybe $500.
Sun: Do you watch fireworks on Fourth of July?
GZ: Of course, sure. Sometimes I'll even scout competition. It's like Henry Ford, one week he would drive his cars, one week it would be his competitor's automobiles.
Sun: What do you enjoy most about the business?
GZ: It's an art and an art that changes by minutes, by seconds at times. It just fascinates you.
The shells are all handmade. And it takes time because it's got to have paper, the paste and twine, the most important ingredients, and it's got to be dry.
In order to produce the star you've got to have a format and then you have to pinpoint the stars at each one of the outlines of the star. At times, of course, the wind will disform them. So it's got to be quite involved.
Sun: You have five children. How many are involved in the business?
GZ: All of them. It's been a fascinating living for my family and we all know that. It's been good to the family. From here on, whether they'll be able to accomplish the same thing is a big factor. Do they want to work like I worked? It takes work, there's no substitute for anything you do.
Sun: And you're there from early morning until late night?
GZ: Of course, how else do you spell success?
Sun: In 1986 you collaborated with the Grucci fireworks family for the Statue of Liberty Anniversary Celebration in New York City. You've done displays for Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Reagan and Clinton. What are some of your other big shows?
GZ: We were at the White House five days before 9-11 welcoming the president from Mexico, Vincente Fox. Each year we do "The Thunder over Louisville" prior to the Kentucky Derby.
Sun: What about the Las Vegas show?
GZ: That's fun. Now there's a production. We're going to put fireworks to the beat of the music. People are amazed. And at times so am I, as old as I am.02
archive
