Pavarotti repaid LV doctor in kind

The last time Dr. Joe Johnson tended to Luciano Pavarotti, there was doubt whether the ailing Italian opera star was well enough to perform.

Pavarotti was in town for a 2002 concert at Mandalay Bay, and word came down that he was not doing well.

"He was having some minor medical issues that we all worried would threaten his performance that evening," said Johnson, who has been an on-site physician for headliners for more than 20 years.

Johnson's job that afternoon, he recalls, "was not so much doctoring, but sitting, visiting, comforting, reassuring. He had been cooped up in his room since Thursday and was a little unsettled."

During the conversation, Johnson mentioned that his sister, Kathryn Swindle of Tennessee, was a huge fan. Pavarotti repaid Johnson by calling his sister.

When Pavarotti went ahead with the performance, Johnson thought all was well until he was summoned at intermission by a security guard. Pavarotti wanted to see Johnson immediately after the show, the security guard said.

Johnson and Pavarotti's attendant helped the singer get out of his tuxedo and into more comfortable clothes to greet several dignitaries.

"I'll never forget this," said Johnson, who was Pavarotti's physician for every Las Vegas visit since 1987.

"I told him, 'Luciano, you were wonderful tonight.' He looked me in the eyes with those dark, almost piercing eyes and said, 'Doctor, I was magnificent.' "

Johnson waited around and finally asked Pavarotti if there was some reason he had asked to see him after the show.

"He said, 'I want to thank you and say goodbye.' " They hugged, "and that was it."

Pavarotti died Thursday at age 71 from pancreatic cancer.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

MTV has made it official: Britney Spears will launch her comeback Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards, with a boost from illusionist Criss Angel. ...

A recently traded former Most Valuable Player in the NBA got off to a high-maintenance start during his recent stay in a posh Las Vegas rental home. The night he and his family arrived, the property owner was informed the thread-count on the bed sheets wasn't acceptable. The property owner was dispatched to find 1,000-count sheets.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

Best star-gazing sites for this weekend's MTV Video Music Awards? Try the BMI Urban Awards red carpet from 5:30-7 p.m. today inside New York-New York; 50 Cent's 9 p.m. Saturday pool concert at the Hard Rock Hotel and his album release party at Body English at 11 p.m.; Kanye West at The Joint at 11 p.m Saturday; Christina Aguilera walks the red carpet at LAX nightclub (Luxor) at 11 p.m. Saturday; West performs at Tao Beach at 2 p.m. on Saturday; and Pharrell performs at Tao Saturday. The VMA red carpet at the Palms casino runs from 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday.

SIGHTINGS

Rapper Lil' Jon, Los Angeles Clippers guard Cuttino Mobley and star deejay Tiesto, partying Wednesday at LAX nightclub during deejay Bob Sinclar's special performance. ... Magician David Copperfield, rolling a few frames Wednesday at Lucky Strike Lanes (Rio). ... Actor Shia LaBeouf, in a hat pulled low, walking through the Palms casino on Thursday. ... Porn icon Jenna Jameson, furiously text messaging and chatting during the World Extreme Cage Fighting at The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel) on Wednesday while her boyfriend, Tito Ortiz, concentrated on the bouts.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Britney Spears has been cleared of all child abuse charges. She got so excited she threw her kids on the roof of the car and went for a ride." - Conan O'Brien

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