Newton reveals touch of tradition

Wayne Newton is continuing a show-opening tradition that started with Elvis and was revived last week by another icon.

Elvis started it in the mid-1970s when he opened shows by saying, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, my name is Wayne Newton."

Newton followed suit when he and Elvis appeared in Las Vegas shows during the same week.

Then U2's Bono got in the act last week in front of 40,000 at Sam Boyd Stadium, when he opened with "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, my name is Wayne Newton."

All of which explains why Newton, during Wednesday's opening night performance for his Tropicana show "Once Before I Go," told the crowd, "Good evening ladies and gentleman, my name is Bono."

Newton's show marks his 50th year in Las Vegas.

MEDIA UPDATE

Longtime Las Vegas publicist Jack Taylor has been named public relations manager for Pala Casino Spa & Resort. ... Kurt Mische, former director of development at KLVX-TV, the PBS member station in Las Vegas, moved to Reno last month to become president & CEO of KNPB-TV, the PBS member station there. ... The morning team at KKLZ-FM, 96.3, is at Hash House A Go Go, 6800 W. Sahara Ave., today. The winner of the best costume receives a $100 gift certificate at the eatery. Anyone who shows up in costume between 7 and 9 a.m. gets a hubcap-size pumpkin pancake. Mention "KKLZ breakfast deal" and you can purchase a breakfast menu item for 96 cents. I'll be going incognito as a pumpkin pancake-loving pirate, with Jim Tofte, Mike O'Brian and Charly Kayle and film critic Jeff Howard about 8 a.m.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Sheldon Adelson may have lost more than $20 billion since the beginning of 2008 on his shares of Las Vegas Sands stocks, but there was no skimping at the lavish wedding Saturday of daughter Sivan Ochshorn. The cost of roses alone, if the rumblings are true, could have purchased a nice home. She married New York attorney Patrick Dumont. ... Monte Carlo headliner Frank Caliendo is on "The Jay Leno Show" tonight.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

Primm Valley Casino Resorts is offering two-for-one tickets to Nevada residents for all concerts and sporting events through 2009. KC and the Sunshine Band performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Star of the Desert Arena. Future acts include Foreigner, Kenny Rogers, Stone Temple Pilots, Sarah Evans and Boyz II Men. Pick up tickets in person and show ID. Information: 1-800-386-7867 or www.primmvalleyresorts.com.

SIGHTINGS

At "Once Before I Go" on Wednesday: Newton's partner on "Dancing with the Stars" pro Cheryl Burke, who put a fedora and fake mustache on Newton a la their "Stars" performance; "Stars" pros Edyta Sliwinska, Alec Mazo, Anna Trebunskaya and Jonathan Roberts; Drew Carey; Wayne Brady; "Peepshow" star Holly Madison; Vanna White of "Wheel of Fortune"; Sabrina Bryan of the girl group "Cheetah Girls"; Newton's friends Louis Prima Jr. and Tracey Davis, daughter of Sammy Davis Jr.; Las Vegas headliners Carrot Top, Zowie Bowie, Nathan Burton and Frank Marino. ... Taylor Dayne, at the Donny & Marie show (Flamingo) on Friday. She's attending the Matt Goss show (Palms) tonight and performing a song. ... Pro wrestling icon Ric Flair, dining Thursday at MRKT Sea and Land (Aliante Station).

CORRECTION

Sportswriter Rick Reilly works for ESPN, and not as reported Thursday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"How many times have you safely landed a plane in a river?" -- From David Letterman's "Top Ten Questions on the Northwest Airlines Pilot Job Application"

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.