Saturday, December 18, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM:Brenner recalls career's daybreak

Vince Neil accused of knocking out soundman. Britney Spears proves she's not so stingy after all. Larry Ruvo attends holiday party at the White House. David Brenner recounts Manilow memories.

Comedian David Brenner had just landed his first big gig in New York City. It was 1970.

He was booked for $500 a week at The Downstairs at the Upstairs. "Enormous money at the time," said Brenner, with a chuckle.

As Brenner waited to go onstage, the piano player asked the comedian what music he'd like to have for the walk to the stage.

"I told him, 'What you were playing was great. Play that,' " Brenner said.

"He said, 'That was one of my songs that I wrote.' He played me on with it."

At the piano was Barry Manilow.

Not long after, their careers took off, and they often co-headlined, sometimes in Las Vegas.

It was Brenner, a headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton, who put Manilow and the Hilton together. That deal was announced earlier this week.

"We've gone full circle," Brenner said.

The Scene and Heard

Norbert Phillips, stunt coordinator for NBC's "Fear Factor," made the most of a break after a long week of shooting a scene 36 stories up at Mandalay Bay's new tower. While his production was setting up for a blackjack bet, Phillips sat down at a Caribbean Stud table and, within a few hands, hit a straight flush worth $32,000. ...

An arrest warrant has been issued in Dallas for Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, who is accused of knocking out a soundman at Gilley's. The warrant for misdemeanor assault was issued Wednesday, six weeks after the incident at the Oct. 30 show. Michael Talbert told the Dallas Morning News he suffered a mild concussion. ...

The Ruvo-Rove connection: Las Vegas wine mogul Larry Ruvo had breakfast with Karl Rove, President Bush's chief political strategist, Wednesday in Washington. On Tuesday, Ruvo and his wife, Camille, attended a holiday party hosted by the president and first lady Laura Bush in the State Room at the White House.

Penn & Teller are again donating two tickets to their show at the Rio to anyone who donates blood, from now until Jan. 1. Last year, $400,000 worth of ticket vouchers were distributed by the duo. Potential blood donors should call 233-9620 for appointments. For questions about eligibility, call 228-4483. ...

Still looking for Las Vegas-themed Christmas gifts? There's the replica of "The Welcome to Las Vegas" sign and the "I Have Sinned" T-shirts from Sin City Brewing Co. Check 'em out at www.theWelcometoLVSign. com or www.sincitybeer.com.

Stop the presses. Britney Spears actually tipped! Spies tell me the notoriously stingy pop princess left $60, or 50 percent, on her check at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on Dec. 7. Spears came in under an assumed name, and several restaurant employees thought she was a Britney impersonator.

Sightings

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson, reportedly on the verge of being traded to the New York Yankees, spotted checking into New York-New York on Friday night. ... Queen guitarist Brian May, taking in illusionist Steve Wyrick's 7 p.m. show at the Aladdin on Thursday. May is making a rare onstage musical appearance during the 7 p.m. performance of "We Will Rock You" today at Paris Las Vegas.

The Punch Line

"Sam, if you want to personalize it, I got it right down the street from where you got that wig." -- Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., on ABC's "This Week" in 1990, when Sam Donaldson asked him where he got his "Korean suit."

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.