I
think what Wayne Newton, Siegfried & Roy and others were able to put
together to benefit the USO was absolutely fantastic. There were a lot of stars
on that Mandalay Bay stage giving of themselves with no other reason than they
truly wanted to be there for the USO. I personally took exception to what has
been said about a particular performer, one who has been known to boost other
entertainers and to give of himself to many a worthy cause. More on this later in the column.
This
was a benefit by volunteers ranging from the event center to the stage crew to
the musicians. Like Joe Delaney, a fellow journalist always says, "It matters
not how you give just as long as you give." Joe, and many of us who have been here for a few years,
remember when this town had as many as five telethons a year and a couple of
really huge dinner benefits. And, Joe who was the entertainment columnist for
the Sun (and still is) produced a number of those events in conjunction with
the late Forrest Duke, who was the entertainment columnist for the Review
Journal. Every star on the strip, be it a main showroom or lounge entertainer,
was always invited to participate and they would show up for Joe and Forrest.
Stars like the real "Rat Pack", Debbie, Goulet, Johnny Carson and Ed McMahan
(who emceed many of them) would make a point to be in town if there was anyway
possible.
I can
remember one year during the biggest benefit of them all, the annual "Night of
Stars" for Saint Jude's, when our buddy, the late journalist Pete Mikla was
asked by Delaney to escort one of the biggest stars in the galaxy (at that
time) to the Hilton's Grand Ballroom. The star was Charlton Heston. He had
flown in from Hollywood to just say a few words. I, like many of us old timers,
can remember when such regulars as Freddie Bell, Sonny King, Bernie Allen,
Jerry Vale, Pat Cooper, Cork Proctor, Bob Anderson, Louie Prima, Keeley, Blackie
Hunt and Laurie Perry (Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt to you new in town), to name just
a few, were the hard core of every benefit. They were always a sure "Yes!" They could care less if they saw their
name in the paper, on the news or in a photograph. Most of the time they did
not!
|
One thing I thought was sorta tacky was how a few
participants in the benefit and some writers, lashed out publicly at a particular
entertainer for not being one of the "volunteers." Danny Gans, who has very
possibly donated more money and time to various causes in this town than some
of those complainers earn in a year, had his reasons for not being on the list.
There were already enough high-powered stars signed up for the show that was
for sure. They certainly did not need Danny Gans to make it a hit. And, to my
knowledge, there was nothing personal between him and some of those
participating that would keep him from being on that stage. If he thought it
would have made a difference you couldn't have kept him away. What was not
mentioned by those same people, at the time, was that on September 13th
Danny pledged $75,000 to the American Red Cross. Oh, by the way, as of when
this column was written he had sent two checks amounting to $45,000.
Those complainers should remember how many times Danny
has been the first to volunteer his time for a well-deserved cause. And God
only knows how much money he has shelled out without a single word being
printed or said about it. Danny Gans does not need me, or anyone, to defend his
actions.
Gans, I believe, was wrongly accused. After all the appropriate word here,
and one everyone fails to remember is "Volunteering." For whatever reason he
chose not to volunteer that is his right! The last time I remember when the
word volunteer actually meant mandatory was when I was in the United States Air
Force. And gang, I'm personally proud of the fact that Danny picked Las Vegas
to be his home. Just remember there are three sides to every story.
I'm outa here!
CONTINUE ON TO...:
>Las Vegas Entertainment Today Home Page
>Entertainment Today Article Archives
>LVLG "Heard Around Town"
>Las Vegas Leisure Guide
|
