Post #529322 by Vince Martini on Tue, May 11, 2010 12:03 AM

On 2010-04-14 23:24, JOHN-O wrote:
Yes, the Rat Pack was definitely mid-century Las Vegas cool, BUT.....

If I could travel back in time to Las Vegas, this is what I would hit up (in the following order):

1. The late show at the Moulin Rouge.
2. Louis and Keely at the Casbar Lounge (Sahara Hotel). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iYQehE1mOE (Not Vegas)
3. The Aku Aku (Stardust Hotel)... of course !!
4. Yma Sumac when she played the El Rancho in 1952.
5. Mary Kaye Trio (they played all over town). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThhM75nKomA (Not Vegas)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-04-15 08:35 ]

John-O, I dig what you are saying about the Rat Pack's time in Vegas and the rooms they filled. But, when the Pack performed at the Villa Venice outside Chicago, it was definitely a lounge act.

Anyway, I dig the list you provided. I am a huge Sinatra fan, but Mrs. Martini and I both agree, the Vegas show we wish we could have experienced is Louis Prima and Keely Smith with Sam Butera and the Witnesses, live in the Sahara lounge. Those cats were non-stop bop!

Louis and Keely just do not get the praise they deserve for really jump starting live entertainment in Las Vegas. Hell, they put the Sahara on the map, baby!

Okay, seeing Yma Suma at the El Tancho would be pretty hip in itself. No doubt about that.

I'm hungry. You think the Aku-Aku has a Polynesian breakfast buffet?