Imagine Dragons put Fremont Street back on the map
Las Vegas’ Imagine Dragons added another global audience to their growing fame Sunday with a live Grammy appearance from Fremont Street.
The performance, seen on CBS (tape delayed on the West Coast), was reminiscent of U2’s moment in 1987. In November, the Imagine Dragons did a pop-up three-song concert next to Lake Bellagio, surprising thousands of onlookers.
That drew a comparison to U2’s rooftop appearance in downtown Los Angeles on March 27, 1987.
This time, the Dragons went to Fremont Street, where U2 filmed the music video for “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” on April 12, 1987.
U2 band members strolled Fremont at Third Street for their video.
Imagine Dragons performed one song on a stage built at Fremont Street, between Sixth and Seventh streets, across from El Cortez.
Half a block away, La Comida restaurant bartender John O’Donnell was singing his favorite U2 song, “Where the Streets Have No Name.”
“Fremont Street on the map again,” said O’Donnell, who grew up in the same neighborhood as U2 drummer Larry Mullen. “U2 and now Imagine Dragons. The exposure is incredible.”
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Hockey fever has no age limit. Jerry Baer, a 78-year-old retired marketing executive who lives at the Las Vegas Country Club, came up with a team name back in November when word broke that the NHL was considering a franchise for Las Vegas. He’s already printed up some T-shirts with the name: The Las Vegas Six Shooters. He’s not out to profit from it, just boost interest. Raised in Chicago, he grew up a Blackhawks fan. … Say a little prayer today for 96-year-old Joe Vento, who has been playing the piano for Las Vegas since the 1940s. Vento, who was inducted into the Las Vegas Entertainers Hall of Fame last week, is checking into a hospital for tests. He has been performing at the Royal Resort four nights a week. He’s believed to be the oldest living entertainer in Las Vegas. … Weird Al Yankovic, who won his fourth Grammy for comedy album for “Mandatory Fun” on Sunday, is launching his 100-city “Mandatory World Tour” at Planet Hollywood on May 12. His five-day engagement reflects the success of “Mandatory Fun,” which debuted No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was the first chart-topping comedy album since 1963.
SIGHTINGS
Following their performance at The Venetian, the cast members of “Dancing With the Stars Live!” dined at Tao Asian Bistro on Saturday. The group included Mark Ballas, Valetin Chmerkovskiy, Sasha Farber and Kym Johnson and Season 19 winners Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson. … Malcolm Butler, the Super Bowl hero for the New England Patriots in Arizona on Feb. 1, hosting a celebration party at Chateau Nightclub (Paris) on Saturday. Earlier, he dined at Andiamo Italian Steakhouse (The D hotel-casino) on Saturday. … Nicolas Cage and his family, sharing spaghetti and meatballs and two clam pizzas on the patio at Dom DeMarco’s Pizzeria and Bar on Saturday. …The UFC’s Nick Diaz, at Ghostbar Dayclub (Palms) on Saturday. At N9ne Steakhouse, former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith. … Nadir D’Priest, lead vocalist of the heavy metal rock group London, chatting with Rod Stewart after his show at The Colosseum (Caesars Palace) on Saturday.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Girl Scout cookie season goes until March. What are the ethics of setting your daughter up to sell cookies outside a medical marijuana store?” — Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more at normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter.
