DREAMS, DREAMS, DREAMS

I’ve been coming to Vegas for a long time and it was 1965 when Little Anthony & The Imperials first set foot on ‘The Strip”. We were in our mid-20s and we performed at the old Flamingo lounge. This performance was something special and it made us the “second boy group” to play Vegas (the first was The Checkmates at Caesars Palace). We approached the show with the notion that we had to traditionally do a show “Vegas style” – you know, “the lounge singer” way.

We were so wrong although the “other boy groups” were killing them doing that “old time live rock ‘n roll and rhythm & blues show”, we weren’t. We spent lots of time and money on choreography and staging. We brought in the great choreographer Matt Maddox do create our moves onstage but it was in vain unfortunately.

The Checkmates were tearing down the walls at Caesars and I decided to go see for myself what they had that we didn’t. Do you know the answer to that was a plain, “nothing”? The Checkmates were doing the kind of show that Little Anthony & The Imperials did. The only difference was our management team had advised us that “our show” would not work according to Las Vegas standards of performing – “pooh-pooh on that advice”. We learned a lesson that day.

This is what happens when you allow yourself to be defined by others. So, we went back into our show and we came out smokin’. And now 40 years later, that formula we reverted back to then, still works. You have to maintain your identity as an entertainer, not someone else’s version. Add in, maintaining your focus too as well because it is crucial to surviving in the business. Remember definition and focus.

My buddy Clarence Collins, the founding member of The Imperials, and I we dreamed of playing the main rooms in Vegas. We wanted it so bad we could taste and for us, it would “the ultimate achievement”. It would “define Little Anthony & The Imperials” and we felt our careers would be crowned by “achieving Vegas”.

It allowed some kids from Brooklyn to now spend time with Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Sarah Vaughn, B.B. King, late great Jack Carter, Leslie Uggums, Richard Pryor, Moms Mabley, just to name a few. When you hang with legendary talent, particularly Las Vegas, something’s got to rub off. That’s how we learned comedy. We were “schooled” by Red Foxx, Slappy White, Flip Wilson, Shecky Greene and numerous others thanks to “Vegas”.

It’s got to affect you and if you are paying attention, you observe and learn from “the masters”, “Vegas is a dream come true”. For Little Anthony & The Imperials it holds true as we celebrate our 50^th anniversary and the zenith of our career.  

AROUND TOWN – MY KINDA TOWN

The other night I attended the Clint Holmes show at Sun Coast and without a doubt, Clint is one of the finest entertainers I’ve ever seen. It was a pleasure watching him perform. We had an opportunity to talk a bit and trust me, do yourself a memorable favor, catch Clint live. His show is powerful and dynamic.

I also caught Marie Osmond onstage a couple of months back, once again at Sun Coast. Man, I loved singing with her. Marie called me up from the audience and coaxed me into a song. Thankfully, she had onstage screens feeding the lyrics. I just turned 68 and sometimes, I forget a lyric but if you can see it, everyone benefits – better show and no flubs - whew.

FLASHBACKZ  

You are probably wondering what that is, right? Well, let me tell you, it’s a bunch of guys, who perform, calling ourselves “Flashbackz” with some of the most famous singing groups in the business: Harry Elston (Friends Of Distinction), Lamont McLemore (Fifth Dimension), Bubba Night (Gladys Knight & The Pips), Robert Deblanck (a well-known lounge singer) and Sunny Turner (original Platters). It was great to join them onstage and when you work with pros like these guys, you step up your game. Although we did that song together two years ago at The Flamingo, it seems like yesterday. The show was also special since it honored Gladys Knight’s husband.

CAN SOFTBALL SEASON BE FAR OFF?

Michael Bolton and Meat Loaf are not the only entertainers playing softball. The “Flashbackz”, or the “Gang Of Six” as we jokingly say, also play softball and we usually play our games in Henderson, NV.  twice a week. We are available for charity fundraisers and we love a good “challenge” especially if we can raise money for a regional charity. Contact me or Bubba Knight here if we can schedule a benefit game in the months to come.

LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS THANKSGIVING

On the 28^TH- 29^TH we will be at the Tropicana Express in Laughlin, NV. performing our classic traditional Thanksgiving show. We’re also breaking in new songs from our new CD “You’ll Never Know” which is available not only at retail nationwide, but as a download, too. Go on the littleanthonyandtheimperials.net site for further information.

THANK YOU

Little Anthony & The Imperials have received so many congrats regarding our possible nomination to be inducted into the HOF. Thank you so much. It means a lot to us and we’re performing there in Cleveland at the HOF on 2/13/09 – details to follow.