‘El Paso’ proved to be problematic for Newton
Wayne Newton’s introduction to the wild side of Las Vegas didn’t take long.
Newton, who was 17 when he and brother Jerry got their first gig here, got an odd request one night: Management strongly requested they stop singing a certain song.
“The song ‘El Paso’ had just come out (in late 1959), and it was really a big crowd pleaser,” said Newton, during an interview at his home this week.
Marty Robbins won a Grammy for it, and some music historians rank it as the No. 1 country song ever, but, Newton said, “Every time we played that song, a fight would break out.
“Finally the pit boss sent a note backstage. ‘Please don’t do that song any more.’ ”
Nothing had quite prepared them for Las Vegas.
It was different world back in Roanoke, Va., when he was doing the Grand Old Opry road shows from ages 6 to 9.
“I traveled as a child with people like Hank Snow, Jimmy Dean and that guy who sang, “Young Love” (Sonny James). They were in their mid-to-late 30s.”
The Newton brothers played their guitars and sang with future icons of country.
A decade later, they were in Las Vegas, splitting $500 a week at the Fremont, where they performed six shows a night, “40 minutes on, 20 off,” Newton said.
Las Vegas was taking off, and so were their careers.
They saw it all during their five years at the Fremont, including a member of the audience keel over dead.
“When security was looking for some kind of identification to notify (next of kin), they couldn’t find any, so they wrapped him in a carpet and put him backstage where we had to step over him to go on stage. And I think he was there for about eight hours.
“So,” he said, “when people say, ‘Not much throws you up there, does it?’ ” He didn’t need to finish the sentence.
Newton will share many more memories as my guest Sunday on “Conversations With Norm” at Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
We’ll start an hour early this time, at 1 p.m., so Wayne can catch a plane to Montana for the holidays.
Ticket information: 702-749 2000.
KTNV-TV, Channel 13, weatherman Bryan Scofield will serve as emcee. Featured guests and show host personnel are donating their time for the fundraiser.
Proceeds go to The Smith Center’s education and programming outreach fund.
OSCAR’S GRAND ENTRY
Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman made quite an impression at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show on Monday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Decked out in a big cowboy hat and holding an oversized martini, Goodman was making his usual understated entrance with his two skimpily dressed showgirl sidekicks.
“Who’s that?” someone asked.
“He’s the richest man in Texas,” an onlooker said.
It never gets old for Goodman, who served as mayor from 1999 to 2011.
“I want to be me when I grow up,” chuckled Goodman, who turns 76 in July.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Singing impressionist Bob Anderson is kicking off his Frank Sinatra tribute “Frank the Man, the Music” at Palazzo Theatre starting Jan. 24. The years-in-the-making production will depict three eras of Sinatra music, plus a 32-piece orchestra under the direction of Vincent Falcone, Sinatra’s former musical director. ...
The ninth edition of Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit will be held April 23-26 at Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace and MGM Grand. Tickets go on sale today at vegasuncorked.com.
SIGHTINGS
Actor Vince Vaughn, taking in Tuesday’s session of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas &Mack Center. ... Arnold Schwarzenegger, with girlfriend Heather Milligan and her parents, at Strip House steakhouse (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Monday night. They shared the restaurant’s 24-layer chocolate cake before heading to the National Finals Rodeo. ... Dot-Marie Jones of “Glee” at “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” (Luxor) on Sunday with her family. ... Jon Bon Jovi, ordering a pulled pork quesadilla with friends at Double Barrel Roadhouse (Monte Carlo).
THE PUNCH LINE
“The Bond girl this time is Monica Bellucci. She is very beautiful. She’s the oldest Bond girl ever. She’s 50. You know they are going to make a big deal out of that and give her a name like Ivanna Playbingo. Or Miss Menopausy. Anita Supplement. Havna Hotflash. Eileen Onawalker.” — Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
