FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS – IT TOLLS FOR ED 

Yes, another icon of the entertainment business is no longer with us. Mr. Ed McMahon has passed on. Like everyone else, I sat in front of my TV and was glued to “The Tonight Show” (or The Johnny Carson Show) and Ed was always at Johnny’s side.

I met Ed McMahon only a couple of times briefly in my career. One of the times, I appeared on Carson show when it was still holding court in New York. That had to be in the mid-‘60s and of course, at the old NBC Studios in Rockefeller Plaza. I was in my dressing room getting ready to perform. The door opened and it was Ed McMahon introducing himself. He made me feel welcome to-say-the-least. 

The next time I met Ed was during the taping of the “Kraft Music Hall” TV show and Ed was hosting. The most memorable time though was in ’72 when we appeared on the classic “Midnight Special”. They taped the show in the studio next to “The Tonight Show”. I was backstage talking to my old friend Desmond Wilson, who played Redd Foxx’ son on “Sanford And Son”. Ed passed us in the hall and stopped to say hello. 

Ed remembered our previous meeting, especially the “Kraft Music Hall” and he was just as delightful off-stage as he was onstage. He did lots of charity work and was a veteran. 

I read some of the print reports concerning Ed’s death at 86 and although he was a pioneer, the last few years had been downhill. A broken neck, failed marriage (or two) and financial troubles were the things Ed was trying to manage. His health was failing.  

He did a rap on a commercial recently with MC Hammer, if I remember correctly. I felt bad for the man. For 30 years, he and Johnny Carson ruled nightlife television from its original inception in New York to the celebrity of “beautiful downtown Burbank”, “The Tonight Show” was it. To have the last years of your life broke, foreclosed, divorced, out of show business, etc. is a shame. Ed McMahon deserved better. 

I read a number of tributes: David Letterman, Paul Shaffer, Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, Bob Newhart, Doc Severinsen –all worked with the man. It was endearing to read their comments but this one stood out. “I will miss that laugh, I will miss him” – Bob Newhart, who often filled in for Johnny Carson as a guest host.  

This is an end of an era and sad to say, I’ve seen (and worked) the best. Some of the artists today are good in their own performance, others more style than substance. “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon was an example of “entertaining television” at its best. I can recall Ed McMahon distinctly and uniquely, say “Herr-rre’s Johnny”. Until we meet again Ed.

DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN 

We all know this famous quote and I had to say when I was introduced one of my all-time heroes, Yogi Berra. That’s right – Yogi – the one and only. There he was with his beautiful wife Carmen and this is a night I will not forget ever. The Imperials and I were in New York and performing at a private party. It was a birthday party for Jay Baker – I believe he is the founder of Kohl’s department stores.  

It was a “who’s who” of the New York area social scene and it was sponsored by the Rock HOF. Mr. Baker is a supporter of the Rock HOF and they wanted to honor his birthday in style. It was some party. We had our band with us and we performed at the Rock HOF annex down in Soho. 

I cannot explain how thrilled I was to have my photo taken with Yogi. I love baseball and Yogi, to me, personifies the game. One of the HOF representatives was extremely thoughtful and they went out and purchased a baseball. Yogi signed it for me saying that he’s heard that his signature on a baseball goes for $2000 on eBay. I am usually not short on words but I didn’t know what else to say but “thank you Yogi, thank you”. I guarded that baseball all the way home to Las Vegas. Move over HOF award, Yogi’s here. 

SAMMY DAVIS JR. COOKED  

Sammy Davis Jr. was a good friend and a mentor to me and The Imperials. We were a part of his “inner circle”. He used to counsel us and give advice I still adhere to this day. In previous columns, I mentioned this but recently, a promoter we are working with asked if he could include a memory of Sammy in a tour book he is preparing for our tour in Sept. of the NC, SC, GA.  

I don’t mean to sound at all jaded but our 50 years plus had us cross paths with some of the greats. Some of our meetings, I’ve forgotten for some reason and then, someone says something and it comes back like an El Nino wind. 

We were at Caesars Palace and Sammy was headlining. He had an entire floor and his own security. Now, a lot of people may find this surprising, but Sammy liked to cook and traveled with his own pots and pans. Sammy invited us up “to his floor” and he was cooking neck bones, collard greens and rice. Well, we’re not quite sure but the scent of his cooking must have trickled down to the casino floor.  

Richard Pryor was there gambling and he caught the scent. Everyone was asking – where is that coming from? The pit bosses notified the casino security and they were going to track down this mysterious scent. Richard knew it was Sammy cooking and he soon joined us upstairs -- we all “chow-ed down”. We were feasting man. It was so good. The next thing, the door to Sammy’s suite opens and there are a couple of casino security guards standing there. They smiled, closed the door and left quietly without a word.

HURRAY FOR HOLLYWOOD (CASINO THAT IS) 

On Sunday, the 28^th of June, The Imperials and I will be performing in Grantville, PA. at the Hollywood Casino. I have to give Pennsylvania credit man. They are opening a number of casinos of late and we love performing at venues like these. They are classy, the best stage you could ask for, excellent audiences and all the right people working the concerts - lighting, equipment, convenience, staging, reception, etc. is all top drawer. I guess that is why, the casinos won the venue of the year award.  

The Hollywood Casino is located near Harrisburg, PA., and it is a part of the racetrack there. You head due west on I-76 from Philadelphia and you can’t miss it. Admission is free to the casino and the racetrack which is a plus. For example, Belmont Racetrack in LI has a small admission charge, $2. It is still better to have that $2 in your pocket, you know? The parking is all free at Hollywood and that’s some more coin for you. Come see us this Sunday – the 28^th.  

SWEET HOME LAS VEGAS – 7/11 

Next, we roll into The Cannery in my hometown, Las Vegas on July 11^th. The Cannery is another casino we love performing at - great people and in some ways, a concert home court for us. The thing I also love is the date “7-11” – now if that isn’t a “winning Las Vegas number, nothing is”. Little Anthony & The Imperials and it’s 7-11. 

We perform at The Cannery twice each year and it’s an easy gig for me and Clarence, in particular. With the exception of our band and Ernest Wright, we live here in town so I can drive to the show and then, head home that night. No flights, no bus, no hotel, taxis, no packing, restaurants, etc. – just jump in my car and I get to sleep in my own bed.  

BACK EAST AGAIN 7/17-18th 

Then, the following week, The Imperials and I head back East for two concerts: (1) Tanner Park in Babylon, NY (really Long Island) and (2) the Town Park in Lyndhurst, NJ on July 17^th and 18^th respectfully. Shows like these are fun to do in the summertime as long as it doesn’t rain on our parade. We get to meet our fans up close and personal. 

Tanner Park is complete with athletic fields and a beach - Long Island at its best. Our summer concert will fill the night with hit songs, some humor and one memorable concert, I promise you.  

The next night, we are in Lyndhurst, New Jersey doing a free concert similar to the one we did there last year. This Saturday night concert is going to be a blast especially since there is a carnival adjoining the concert band shell area. I get to sing to thousands and have the lights of the Ferris wheel and the arcade as a backdrop or should I say, “live screen saver”?   

If you caught our interview back in Feb. on CBS Sunday Morning, the B-roll for that segment was shot entirely at the Lyndhurst Town Park concert. Our friend Tom DiMaggio is the Town Commissioner in Lyndhurst and he deserves a lot of credit. Towns like Lyndhurst and Babylon should be credited too, for continuing live shows in tough economic times. 

I read recently that Art Tatum’s 100^th birthday concert, in his hometown of Toledo, OH. had to be cancelled this year due to lack of funds and the overall event expense. The San Francisco Blues Festival was postponed a year. Other towns are cutting out Fourth of July fireworks. Welcome to the 21^st century and cost-cutting.  

To the promoters and towns that allow us to perform in summer shows like Tanner Park and Lyndhurst, I thank you one and all. We don’t do as many “outdoor gigs” as we used to, but Little Anthony & The Imperials will always do some of them.  

We like being a “people’s group” and you can really reach out at venues like Tanner Park and the Lyndhurst Town Park. We do our 90 minute show, sign autographs and have a good old time meeting our fans up close and personal. You can’t compare that one-to-one audience/performer connection to anything else – it’s something special.