The last time I went to see Wayne Newton in his show, Up Close and Personal, he told a story that broke my heart, but shows a side of the entertainment industry that most of us never take the time to think about:
When Newton was 23 years old, he made an appearance on TV’s The Lucy Show. His appearance made such a splash that the networks executives approached Newton about starring in his own show. He was thrilled, but Lucille Ball asked him to see her before accepting the offer.
Owing a great debt to Ball for putting him on her show, Newton valued her opinion and advice. And her advice came in the form of a question: “Have you ever heard Jim Nabors sing?” Newton, who, like Nabors, had a beautiful singing voice but a bit of a high-pitched speaking voice, said he loved Jim Nabors’ singing voice. Ball’s followup question: “What is Jim Nabors mostly known for?” And the answer came back: Gomer Pyle, the stumbling, bumbling comedy character he played on television.
The message was clear to Newton: He could either be known for his voice (and massive talent on almost every instrument known to man) or for whatever character television came up for him. It wasn’t even a choice. And, as millions of his fans who have lined up to see him perform will attest, he made the right one.
Up Close and Personal is filled with such stories, and Newton rarely tells the same ones twice. That’s right—he’s got so many stories he could keep this show going for years, and no two would be the same. But those wanting to hear music, fear not: Newton is backed by a great band, and delivers some of the classics his fans can’t get enough of, like “Viva Las Vegas,” “Daddy Don’t You Run So Fast” and several others. He’s also occasionally joined by surprise guest stars.
So, to Mr. Las Vegas, who never turned his back on his fans, we say: Danke Schoen.
Flamingo, ticketmaster.com
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