The family of jazz icon Billy Eckstine is taking legal steps against a Las Vegas man for posing as Eckstine's son.
The man, who booked the Sahara last year and is currently completing a two-week engagement in Atlantic City, is an impostor "who is pulling the wool over a lot of people's eyes," said Guy Eckstine, a son of the 1940s singer and bandleader, who died in 1993.
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Guy Eckstine is a former Columbia Records executive, and his brother Ed Eckstine was a president of Mercury Records.
One of the last straws came when the man, whom family members have identified as Freddie House, performed as the jazz great's son at a tribute last month for rhythm and blues legend Ruth Brown, Guy Eckstine said in a telephone interview on Saturday.
House could not be reached for comment. Eckstine said House is finishing his show, "Sentimental Journey," at Resorts Inc. in Atlantic City.
Eckstine said he confronted House in Atlantic City last week and informed him, "You've got serious legal problems coming your way."
Eckstine said the family has retained legal counsel in Las Vegas after learning that House is perpetrating "a complete and utter scam."
House insists he is Billy Eckstine's son and has agreed to a DNA test, Eckstine said.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Mario Lopez remembers making trips from his home near San Diego to Las Vegas for little-guy wrestling tournaments. "I went, 'Wow, look at all these lights.' I couldn't wait to come back," he said by telephone. He's returning to Las Vegas later this month, but this time as the emcee of the Miss America Pageant, which airs live on CMT Jan. 29 from Planet Hollywood, formerly the Aladdin. The runner-up in ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" said he won't be dancing on the show "unless it's impromptu."
SIGHTINGS
Sean Penn, at the Adult Video News party at rumjungle (Mandalay Bay) on Friday. Penn is directing "Into The Wild" and has scouted locations in Laughlin and Boulder City. Also in the crowd: Dustin Diamond of "Saved By the Bell" and adult stars Brianna Love, Taylor Wayne, Lexi Hart, Michelle Sweet and Miss Mary Jane. Also there: comedian Josh Blue, winner of the fourth season of NBC's "Last Comic Standing." He was pulled into photo opportunities after his sellout performance at House of Blues. ... Dave Navarro, providing the zinger of the week during his appearance at Scores strip club on Friday. As he was receiving multiple lap dances on the main stage, several attendees shouted, "Where's Carmen?" Navarro, whose marriage to Carmen Electra fell apart last year, shot back, "Pick up a paper sometime." ... At Tao (Venetian) on Friday: Hustler magazine Publisher Larry Flynt, with his two sons, Dustin and Jimmy, at a Hustler-sponsored party. In the VIP section: Nicky Hilton and new beau David Katzenberg, Jeff Beacher and Navarro. ... At Earth, Wind & Fire (Luxor) on Friday: former heavyweight boxing champion Leon Spinks. ... Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, having a night out at Red Rock Resort on Friday, playing blackjack and shooting craps. ... Hilton, at Pure (Caesars Palace) with Katzenberg. Also there: Criss Angel, Ty Law of the Kansas City Chiefs and Dexter McCleon of the Houston Texans. ... At Rain (Palms) on Friday: Big Black of MTV's "Rob & Big," celebrating onstage with friends. ... At The Playboy Club (Palms) on Friday: Rob Bourdon, drummer for rock band Linkin Park. ... At Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Friday: Jenna Jameson and boyfriend Tito Ortiz. ... At the Tournament of Kings (Excalibur) on Friday: Ricki Lake. ... Gene Simmons and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, in the audience at Carrot Top's show.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Dick Clark Rings In New Year On July Fourth 'Just In Case'" -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Newspaper Headlines in 2007
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
