Jerry Fink

Story Archive

It’s not just music that keeps Gino Vannelli busy: He’s writing — a novel, opera and cookbook; Monday, Sept. 21, 2009; Gino Vannelli stopped by Las Vegas Hilton last week to prepare for this week’s concert and caught Cheap Trick’s “Sgt. Pepper Live!”
Backstage action, drama will move out front in musical: Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; Michael Kessler and Melinda Jackson have the world at their feet.
'Bodies' offers education with its skinless anatomy lesson: Exhibit features more than 260 full body, organ and partial body specimens; Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009; Las Vegas offers two types of body exhibits – with or without skin.
Pink Martini: No boundaries of sound: Eccentric and eclectic, orchestra blends genres — and languages; Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009; If film director Federico Fellini had created a band, it would be Pink Martini, a genre-busting orchestra from Portland, Ore. The group was founded by classical pianist Thomas Lauderdale, who grew up loving everything from Chopin and Hungarian folk songs to Scott Joplin and the soundtrack of “Midnight Cowboy.”
Your usher at 'Lion King?' He really did meet the Beatles: Former radio DJ claims he introduced fellow Australians to Fab Four's music; Monday, Sept. 14, 2009; Barry Ferber owns a small piece of Beatles history. The 65-year-old former disc jockey lays claim to being the first person to play the group’s music on the radio in his native Australia.
Relatively new to stand-up, Jon Lovitz will try hand on Strip: Friday, Sept. 11, 2009; Compared with Louie Anderson, comedian Jon Lovitz is a lightweight. Lovitz will be filling in for the hefty Anderson at the Excalibur while Anderson takes a couple of weeks off beginning Sept. 15.
You can't hurry love — or music: Former Supreme Mary Wilson’s new album is five years in the making, will reflect ‘life and life’s issues’; Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009; It’s been a long time since Mary Wilson, the former Supreme, has recorded an album.
Her stature supplies jokes, but also stories: All of 3-foot-6, comedian will bring well-received act to Las Vegas; Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009; Comedian Tanyalee Davis is a little woman who gets big laughs. The 3-foot-6 native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is a polished performer who will do five minutes at the drop of a hat — on the subway, in the washroom, at Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland. Her routine is a blend of jokes, observations and life stories. She humorously forces audiences to face their biases about people who are different from the norm.
Show packed with U.K. talent to take the Orleans stage: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009; One of Elton John’s favorite bands — the Overtures — heads the lineup of “Britain’s Top Talent,” a variety show coming to the Orleans this weekend. Leading up to the Overtures are five acts including magician-comedian Paul Zenon, yo-yo expert Arron Sparks, baton twirler/acrobat Nathalie Enterline and vocalist Ben Stone, the producer’s son.
The band behind Santana: Friday, Sept. 4, 2009; Latin rock band Santana returns tonight to begin its second session as resident headliner at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Def Leppard’s hard rock has survived hard times: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009; Def Leppard has had its share of tragedy — but remains a close-knit family. The metal band, formed in Sheffield, England, in 1977, continues to rock on. "The difference between Def Leppard and the other bands is that Def Leppard really is a band,” guitarist Vivian Campbell said.
Legendary Bill Cosby talks about early days in Vegas: (because he doesn’t need to be censored); Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009; When you interview Bill Cosby, you serve as the catalyst for a comedy routine involving long anecdotes that go off on tangents. William Cosby Jr., 72, really needs no introduction. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he already was a successful comedian when he became the first black star on TV in the hit series “I Spy” in 1965. “The Cosby Show” dominated the airwaves in the 1980s.
Trumpeter will serve up jazz with pop, rock flavors: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009; Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti has put down roots. Botti — who will perform Saturday at Aliante Station — accepted the nomadic life while touring constantly for 10 years.

Recently the 46-year-old bought a home in Los Angeles. He’d been daydreaming about making a change, walked into a house for sale, fell in love with it and bought it on an impulse.
Frank Sinatra Jr. will play to a Vegas unlike his father’s: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009; Frank Sinatra Jr. sounds a lot like his old man over the telephone — same intonations and vocal rhythms, sans the Hoboken, N.J., accent.
Performer Ronn Lucas coming back to valley with new sidekicks: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009; After headlining at various locations in Las Vegas for eight years ventriloquist Ronn Lucas decided it was time to get out of town for a while.
Lisa Landry: Not dirty, not clean, her routine is ‘beige’: Monday, Aug. 31, 2009; Comedian Lisa Landry doesn’t have to look far for her material.
New impersonator show will have a ‘La Cage’ feel: Monday, Aug. 31, 2009; Frank Marino, the preeminent portrayer of Joan Rivers, says he is showcasing his new female impersonators show at the Imperial Palace this week and if president Don Marrandino likes the production, it may be there for a long time.
Las Vegas resident talks to Joan Rivers about getting rich: Friday, Aug. 28, 2009; On Wednesday, Las Vegas resident James Malinchak tells Joan Rivers how he got rich.
At 76, Joan Rivers still active, still caustic: Q+A: Joan Rivers returning to Vegas for stand-up shows after five years away; Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009; Better living through cosmetic surgery. That could be Joan Rivers’ mantra after more than a dozen operations altering her lips, breasts, nose, stomach, eyes and arms. But doctors never touched her tongue, which remains scalpel sharp.
Vegas headliners will show Gloved One love in tribute show: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009; “Jersey Boys” co-star Erich Bergen wanted to stage a tribute to his childhood hero Michael Jackson after the superstar died suddenly on June 25.
Biker-chick flick won’t have typical scene at premiere: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009; Forget about the red carpet, the limos and entertainment reporters prowling the chaotic scene of a major motion picture premiere, pandering to celebrity-hungry fans who can’t get enough news about their favorite stars.
Wife, mother, Frankie Valli’s girlfriend: Newest addition to ‘Jersey Boys’ took circuitous route back to Vegas; Monday, Aug. 24, 2009; The newest member of “Jersey Boys” is a Minnesota girl. Carly Thomas-Smith joined the cast of the bio-musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in April, about the time it reached its one-year milestone at the Palazzo. She plays Valli’s girlfriend, Lorraine.
'Stars Among the Angels’ benefit on Sunday at Green Valley Ranch: Entertainers, celebrities turn out to help Children’s Service Guild of Southern Nevada; Friday, Aug. 21, 2009; Las Vegas entertainers Earl Turner and Lani Misalucha, headlining in “Voices” at the Las Vegas Hilton, are among the celebrities who will entertain at a charity event for the Children’s Service Guild of Southern Nevada this weekend at Green Valley Ranch.
Japanese athletes add action to music in return of ‘Matsuri’: Friday, Aug. 21, 2009; Slowly, the hyperkinetic show “Matsuri” is putting down roots in Las Vegas.
A statement via raw fish and jazz: Restaurateur-musician supports the sound he loves by giving it a place; Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009; The jazz flowing from the backroom of the Osaka Japanese Bistro isn’t the typical smooth jazz played for background in some restaurants. The Outside In Jazz Trio plays straight-ahead jazz tinged with an occasional rock vibe. Every Thursday evening for the past six years, restaurateur Gene Nakanishi has served up this musical treat to go along with the sushi, sashimi and tempura.
Old Vegas kind of guy: ‘Jersey Boys’ singer/dancer hopes to resurrect entertainment of bygone era in solo show; Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009; People ask: Where did real Las Vegas-style entertainment go? No more griping. Broadway star Rick Faugno plans to give you what you say you want.
Remembering entertainer Ray Jarvis: Jarvis best known for his five years with Folies Bergère; Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009; Tropicana east of Maryland was a dirt road in the early '60s when the Red Barn, a former antique store, became a bar.
Blues trio on farewell tour after 25 years of performing: Monday, Aug. 17, 2009; It was happenstance that the three women from Fredericksburg, Va., met and formed a group that has entertained blues fans for a quarter of a century.
Young performer realizing a dream: Friday, Aug. 14, 2009; Spring Mountain Ranch State Park isn’t Broadway, but it may be on the route for aspiring entertainer Primrose Martin. Martin, a 16-year-old theater major at the Las Vegas Academy, plays the park’s outdoor stage in “Once on This Island,” the third musical in the Super Summer Theatre lineup.
Pianist gives all fans the presidential treatment: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009; Roger Williams has been playing the piano for more than 80 years. Williams, who’ll be 85 on Oct. 1, began playing at 3 years old. He takes his annual sojourn in the Entertainment Capital this weekend, playing such classics as “Autumn Leaves” and “Born Free” at the South Point.
Longtime Elvis impersonator to go beyond the standards: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009; Dennis Wise knows exactly where he was when Elvis Presley died Aug. 17, 1977.
Lit keeps the light on for ailing drummer: Friday, Aug. 7, 2009; This month marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the alternative rock band Lit’s platinum-selling album “A Place in the Sun.”
Billy Joel tribute artist comes home to Vegas to perform: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009; Las Vegas native Michael John Pappageorge got a late start in his entertainment career. The 46-year-old Clark County employee was 24 before he learned to play the piano, 36 before he began focusing on a Billy Joel tribute act.
Comedy benefit planned Aug. 13 for teen entrepreneurs: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009; A benefit show for Teen Entrepreneurs of Las Vegas featuring comedian Carrie Snow and a lineup of other comics will be held at 8 tonight at Palace Station’s Bonkerz Comedy Club.
‘Newgrass’ via old RV: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009; The Montana Slim String Band is putting miles on its new-to-them motor home.
Sax player making rare stop on home turf: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009; Here’s an example using today’s vocabulary words: It’s serendipitous that smooth jazz saxophonist Paul Taylor, whose latest album is titled “Burnin’,” is performing a benefit for the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Foundation this weekend. But it’s egregious that Taylor, a Las Vegas musician, rarely performs locally.
‘Metal God’ of Judas Priest aims to live up to mantle: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009; Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford doesn’t mind being called “the Metal God.”
Diana Krall: A rock star on the piano: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009; Jazz musician Diana Krall has been playing piano since she was 4 years old — that’s 40 years of tickling the ivories with no sign of slowing down.
Listen to storyteller Shock, you might laugh until you cry: Friday, July 31, 2009; Genius storyteller Ron Shock headlines Bonkerz comedy club this week. The 66-year-old Las Vegas resident will have you in tears as he relates incidents from his colorful life and observations about the world around him.
Opening the Male: Show explores relationships, what’s inside men’s heads; Friday, July 31, 2009; Calling his one-man show “The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?” was risky for comedian Robert Dubac. “The title seems to scare men away a little bit, just because they’re kind of tired of getting male-bashed,” Dubac says from his home in Telluride, Colo. “But then they come and realize it’s just an instrument to lure the women in so we can make fun of them.”
Past’s last reflection: Q&A with Fluff LeCoque, of 'Jubilee'; Thursday, July 30, 2009; Las Vegas’ glorious, glitzy, glamorous past has atrophied to one show — an elegant topless production that celebrates its 29th birthday Friday.
Blues band gives audience a taste of rock, jazz, polka, whatever: Wednesday, July 29, 2009; Station Casinos’ blues fans may never have seen an act like Jason Ricci & New Blood. “The show is ridiculous,” Ricci says. "I could do an entire evening of just blues songs or I could end up in a Speedo. There’s no guarantee that either one of those is going to happen."
Little River Band: An American update for old Aussie band: Tuesday, July 28, 2009; The Little River Band burst out of Australia and onto the American music scene in the mid-’70s with such hits as “It’s a Long Way There,” “Help Is On Its Way,” “Reminiscing” and “Lady.”
Imelda Papin: Manchester shares showroom with Filipino star: Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Vocalist Imelda Papin, who was born in a remote fishing village in the Philippines, will perform on a Las Vegas stage this weekend with one of her idols, Grammy-winning vocalist Melissa Manchester.
Little Texas blends country, rock, but not in equal amounts: Monday, July 27, 2009; Progressive country group Little Texas recently received a cool reception in Branson, Mo.
Born into showbiz, but not the blues: Friday, July 24, 2009; The desk clerk answered in French, leading me to wonder where bluesman Guy Davis was staying.
'Smooth blues’ gets a warm reception: Drummer Larry Wrice brought out the brushes to keep it soft; Thursday, July 23, 2009; “Smooth blues” had a quiet but auspicious debut Wednesday night at DeStefano’s Italian Restaurant.
Country brings Tillis duo together: Wednesday, July 22, 2009; Pam Tillis rebelled early in her music career and rejected the legacy of her father, country legend Mel Tillis.
Magic touch on command: Kentuckian Lance Burton says you're not for real until you've performed at a family cookout; Wednesday, July 22, 2009; Most nights magician Lance Burton performs in his multimillion-dollar theater at the Monte Carlo, surrounded by the bright lights of the Strip.
Drummer wants to take edge off blues: Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Smooth jazz found its niche in the music world.
Now drummer Larry “Wild” Wrice wants to create another new genre, “smooth blues.”