Kirshner works on big Vegas project

Pop-music icon Don Kirshner is in talks with several Strip properties about a major Las Vegas project involving a new twist to entertainment.

Local deal-maker Jack Wishna confirmed Sunday that he is partnering with Kirshner on what Wishna characterized as an "unprecedented" project.

Kirshner will be in Las Vegas this week, Wishna said, to discuss the deal, which could bring some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll history to the Strip.

They're keeping the details under wraps, but Kirshner, who has been plotting a comeback for years, might have revealed his ambitions during an interview with The Washington Post four years ago.

His idea at the time was the creation of a global entertainment company, tapping into his deep musical industry ties and Wishna's local knowledge.

Wishna put together Wayne Newton's long-term deal with the Stardust in 1999 and has met with Britney Spears and Michael Jackson to discuss Las Vegas headliner deals. Wishna brokered the deal that recently brought Donald Trump into the Las Vegas real estate market.

Kirshner, 74, was nicknamed "the man with the golden ear" by Time magazine after he produced scores of hits. He is credited with discovering Bobby Darin and taking The Monkees, among others, to the top.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

That Tuesday party at the Palms featuring 26,000 rubber ducks is being held at the pool outside Simon at Palms Place, not the Palms Pool & Bungalows.

SIGHTINGS

British soccer star Wayne Rooney and NBA All-Star LeBron James, reconnecting on Saturday at Blush nightclub (Wynn). They met while shooting a Nike commercial a couple of years ago. Rooney is in town on his honeymoon, and James, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, was here for a two-day Team USA mini-camp. ... Brandon Rush, the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft last week after leading Kansas to the NCAA basketball title, at Body English on Saturday. ... Lauren "Lo" Bosworth, who co-starred in "Laguna Beach," holding her graduation party (from UCLA) at Privé nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort on Saturday. Missing was her best friend and roommate, Lauren Conrad, who got stuck in Italy and missed the celebration. Also partying at Privé: actress and singer Juliette Lewis, celebrating her 35th birthday. Lewis fronts The Licks rock group. Also in the house: a number of the Boston Celtics and the electro-hip-hop group LMFAO, performing its hit song "I'm in Miami Bitch." ... At the Manny Pacquiao-David Diaz WBC lightweight title fight Saturday at Mandalay Bay: The entire Boston Celtics team, with former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, will.I.am of the Black Eyed Peas, boxing stars "Sugar" Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas, and singing legend Steve Lawrence. ... At Tryst (Wynn) on Saturday: James, NBA Most Valuable Player runner-up Chris Paul (New Orleans), Carmelo Anthony (Denver), Carlos Boozer (Utah), Sam Cassell (Boston Celtics), Luke Walton (Los Angeles Lakers) and Richard Jefferson (Milwaukee), boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr., WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto, Baltimore Ravens standout Terrell Suggs and New York Rangers player Nigel Dawes. Celebrating her 21st birthday at Tryst was Tyler Ellis, the daughter of late fashion designing icon Perry Ellis. ... At Drai's After Hours (Bill's Gamblin' Hall), actor Taye Diggs, with friends. ... At Poetry (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday: Bette Midler's daughter, Sophie, partying 'til the wee hours with friends. At other tables: MTV personality La La Vazquez, being presented with a birthday cake in the shape of a Tiffany's box. Her group included Beyonce's sister, Solange; Rooney and his wife, Coleen; former University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball star Marcus Banks, NBA standout Gary Payton, and Bo Collins of the Oakland Raiders.