From the scene: Big Elvis takes a breather; ‘Tenors’ hire a rockin’ band
The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is the Fulton Street Food Hall at Harrah’s, where pizza by the slice is nice, nice, nice.
Within the hour is the finale of “Million Dollar Quartet,” ending its three-year run on the 60th annversary of the night Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins convened at Sam Phillips’ Sun Records in Memphis in a jam session for the ages.
Newsworthy across the way is that beginning Dec. 10, Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee is taking a break from his performances at the Piano Bar as the room undergoes a big renovation.
How big? Worth about 40 exclamation marks! As Mr. Vallee reports on his Facebook page: “WOW!!!!! It’s been an exceptional year!!!! The Piano bar will be closed from December 10th thru Dec,26th for EXPANSION!!!!!!!! The room will accommodate 100 more people!!!!! THE BIG ELVIS SHOW WILL BE DARK FROM DECEMBER, 10TH THRU JANUARY, 2ND !!!!! Our Show keeps growing year after year!!!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!”
I love the guy. So much passion, and a wonderful voice. We’ll catch him upon return.
More from around here and other places:
‘ROCK OF AGES’ TO ‘TENORS OF ROCK’
The quintet of Englishmen who form “Tenors of Rock” have hit Vegas. Get to know them! Gareth and David Richards, Tommy Sherlock, Johnny Williams and Jimmy Denning. The show opens for previews on Dec. 28.
The quintet of vocalists keeps it refreshingly simple: They sing classic-rock songs, primarily from the 1970s and ’80s, a set list spiced by AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses, Queen and Aerosmith. If it was a rock album issued on vinyl or cassette, it’s in play for this production.
The guys joined my “Kats! On the Radio” KUNV91.5-FM show last week, and I was encouraged by the scope and quality of what they’ve devised for Harrah’s. Principally, the backing band is loaded with talent: From the soon-to-close “Rock of Ages” at Rio are keyboardist/music director Bryan McAdams, guitarist Chris Cicchino, and bassist Dan Grennes. On drums is Blas Elias, long of Slaughter and Blue Man Group.
The original version of “Tenors of Rock” hit Las Vegas in 2013, playing at the Lounge at the Palms. They sang to tracks then, knowing they would need advanced production and real musicians to have a shot here. They deserve credit, and a chance to keep a live rock show alive on the Strip.
SOCK SHOW
The original Jerry Lee Lewis of the Vegas “MDQ” cast, amiable Brit Martin Kaye, left the Harrah’s show a few months ago to tour with the production in the U.K. (his role has since been filled by Jacob Tolliver, who held the spot through the finale).
Kaye says he plans to stay in town and pursue his side project — which is now his primary project — the autobiographical music show Odd Socks.” Kaye has performed the autobiographical mix of covers and originals at Art Square Theater over the past couple of years. The title is derived from his penchant for wearing mismatching socks.
PARQ PLACE
A fun free show is being staged at what is dubbed Winter Parq at the Linq (Caesars Entertainment should open an ice rinq there, too). Ongoing through New Year’s Eve, the show features dancers, stilt walkers, the famous Scott Brothers from “Jubilee!” and more. It runs on the hour, five times per night, seven days a week beginning at 6 p.m. It’s sort of the Linq’s answer to the Fremont Street Experience light show, but on the ground and featuring real people.
HOLIDAYS WITH ‘LEGENDS’
Have we not specified the holiday lineup at “Legends in Concert” at Flamingo Las Vegas? Let’s do it now: Garth Brooks, portrayed by Dean Simmons, will perform an acoustic version of “The Christmas Song;” Michael Jackson, portrayed by Damian Brantley, sings “Santa Claus is Coming to Town;” Barbra Streisand, portrayed by Sharon Owens, will sing “Jingle Bells;” and Elvis, portrayed by Victor Trevino, sings “Blue Christmas.”
Also, says the show’s formal news release about the holiday modifications: Local youth choirs and performing arts groups have also been invited to perform in the holiday production at the Donny & Marie Showroom. For the big finale, the cast will perform “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and the Legends band will perform a sensational tribute to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo” (“Carol of the Bells”). It’s a whole thing, in other words.
SEVENTY? REALLY?
On the topic of Flamingo Las Vegas …
Not nearly as widely promoted as Caesars Palace’s 50th anniversary, celebrated for several months, the Flamingo is passing a significant birthday, too: The hotel is 70 on Dec. 26. As (or, if) any major celebration is announced, we’ll pass it along.
John Katsilometes’ column runs Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter and @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
