Sunday, May 15, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Top executive at Wynn out of a job

Vince Neil teaming up with Hard Rock Hotel on project. Nicole Richie spotted in the crowd at Body English. Sean "P. Diddy" Combs exploring Las Vegas projects.

Those rumors of a top management shake-up at Wynn Las Vegas are true: Out is Frank Tucker, director of nightclub operations.

Whether Tucker jumped or was pushed could not immediately be determined, but his exodus Wednesday came one week after the opening of Steve Wynn's $2.7 billion megaresort.

The grand opening last weekend of La Bete, the main nightclub, didn't live up to recent celeb-studded gala openings, but that may not have been Tucker's doing, if Wynn preferred to showcase the club without a blowout bash. A New York paper reported recently that the Eagles were going to be part of the opening, but I'm told they wanted $1 million. Wynn insiders deny it.

Mary J. Blige and the Wallflowers provided entertainment, and Wynn was spotted dancing to the Eagles' hit "Heartache Tonight."

Tucker decided to "pursue other interests outside the nightclub world," according to a source close to the situation.

Tucker had spent 4 1/2 years as general manager at Mandalay Bay's rumjungle nightclub before joining Wynn in the fall of 2003.

Billy Richardson, who formerly operated Luxor's RA nightclub, and Elizabeth Blau, a top exec at Wynn, have assumed nightclub management duties.

The Scene and Heard

Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil and the Hard Rock Hotel are teaming up on a motorcycle-cafe concept as part of the $1 billion expansion, Hard Rock president Kevin Kelly confirmed on Saturday. ...

The folks at Wynn Las Vegas are fuming over what they considered a nasty breach of etiquette. A top chef at a swanky property showed up last week with a party of six at Alex, the high-end restaurant at Wynn under the direction of Alex Stratta, who turned Renoir into a five-star restaurant at The Mirage. All six ordered Caesar salad, which wasn't on the menu and had to be specially prepared.

Sightings

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, ordering $20,000 of Cristal champagne Friday at OPM nightclub (Forum Shops at Caesars) and partying with about 40 NBA players, including Kenyon Martin of the Denver Nuggets and most of the Boston Celtics. Combs, who told reporters at "Diddy Day" on Saturday at the V Theatre (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood) that he's exploring Las Vegas projects, met with Aladdin honcho Mike Mecca on Friday. He was spotted checking out La Bete after dining at Daniel Boulud Brasserie at the Wynn, where he is staying. ... Britney Spears, on the town with hubby Kevin Federline. They attended "Mystere" (Treasure Island) on Thursday and "Ka" (MGM Grand) on Friday and were later spotted at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel). They're staying at the Palms. ... At the Palms: a squad of NBA stars for the birthday party of Mike Bibby of the Sacramento Kings. Spotted at Rain: Maurice Clarett, former Ohio State star running back. ... Also at "Ka" on Friday: Damon Wayans, who later turned up at La Bete and Light (Bellagio). ... Also at La Bete: Peter Gabriel. ... Boxing champ Arturo Gatti, buying out OPM's Orchid VIP Room for Friday night, including private staff, bartender and DJ. Cost: $40,000. ... Also at Body English: Spotted among a crowd heavy with NBA and NFL stars, a shockingly gaunt Nicole Richie and Drew Carey (no, not together).

The Punch Line

"I don't want to say the Stones are old or anything, but the first time they toured in America, the band were actually shooting buffalo off the roof of the tour bus as they came through." -- Jay Leno

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