by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Right off the bat I want to send out a huge "Thank You" to everyone who attended my birthday party last Monday evening at the Take 1 Nightclub in beautiful downtown Las Vegas (7th and Fremont). It was a fabulous evening, thanks to my daughters and my Best Lady, Nancy Barr, who worked tirelessly to create the party. If it wasn't for them the party wouldn't have been half-as-good as it was. Ben Ardito, owner of the club, did a fantastic job of providing great food and enough booze to float an aircraft carrier. I thank everyone!

Now to the saying goodbye to a great friend, a fabulous person, a beautiful entertainer and a damn good cook. Freddie Bell, 76, passed on to the Great Stage above last Sunday at about 11: 30 p.m. I know that a gang of greats were there to greet the one guy they had been waiting for, for oh so many years. The Chairman of the Board was the first to say "Hey, buddy, it's about time you got up here... we need some jump stuff!" Sonny King was next in line, "Thanks for taking over for me champ... you're the greatest..." Then Sammy Davis, Jr., jumped out from behind Dean Martin with a quick tap routine, "You might be able to sing like me, but you never were a great dancer!" Freddie was on the floor rolling in the gold that covers this particular stage - the one reserved for only the greatest.

Born Fernando Dominico Bello on Sept. 29, 1931 in Philadelphia, he began his career as an entertainer in his hometown while a teenager. Pretty soon Bell began to get a reputation as someone you could count on to be on time, know the music and who had a great band. The Bellboys were born! In 1953 he was asked to come to Las Vegas and perform in a new venue inside the Sands Hotel - a lounge. The contract called for two weeks with options. They stayed for a couple of months, returned to Philadelphia to complete some commitments and returned to the Sands in 1954. In 1955, Bell was asked to appear in a historic movie - one that would give him his first national hit and make him a legend - "Rock Around the Clock" starring Bill Haley and the Comets. The hit from that movie was, "Giddy Up A Ding Dong," which went to No. 1 on the UK charts, where it remained for a number of weeks.

Bell was always entertaining. When not appearing in Las Vegas, Reno or Lake Tahoe, he was either in Chicago, Philly or Atlantic City (and of course other cities across the country). His annual tour of Europe was always a highlight of his year, for that was where he got out the old rock'n roll charts and wailed away - much to the delight of his European fans, which numbered in many thousands.

Bell is survived by six children: Marianna, Andrew, Lisa, Debbie, Freddie Bell, Jr., Angela and his stepson, Jonathan, a number of brothers and sisters, and The Lady who was with him 24/7 as the curtain began to come down, and in his own words "She's the love of my life," Angela Bell. Bell and Angela were married in 1989.

Services will be this Sunday, Feb. 17, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 Eastern Ave. Viewing will be from noon to 2 p.m. with services in the chapel and at graveside to follow. A memorial party will be held at the Italian American Club on East Sahara Blvd., immediately following services. Everyone is invited to attend.

One need not live in Hollywood, or be a star, to attend the magic and excitement of "Oscar Night." Nope, Las Vegans can join in the fun when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 80th Annual Academy Awards telecast on Sunday, Feb. 24th. by attending the only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night America Party at Planet Hollywood.

Benefiting the Arthritis Foundation of Southern Nevada, the celebration will be held in the Grand Ballroom beginning at 4 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Dinner will follow, along with the live awards telecast at 5 p.m. Tickets are limited and are on sale at the Foundation. Call 702-367-1626 to reserve your tickets. Each guest will receive the same official program distributed to guests at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

Siegfried and Roy will serve as Honorary Chairs for the event, with John Daly and Nina Radetich serving as Masters of Ceremonies. Philanthropist Cindy Doumani will receive the 2008 Commitment to Community Award, while long-time KTNV-TV 13 Anchor and Health Reporter Cathy Ray, will be honored with the Community Health Award. Host committee members include: Jaki Baskow, Lynette Chappel, Jimmy Foster, Mike Mecca, Rossi Ralenkotter, Randy Soard, Lucy Stewart and Mark Wayman.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Does the name Bill Nolte ring a bell with you? No, not Nick Nolte, but Bill! If you had the opportunity to see the local production of "The Producers" at Paris, then you watched Bill in the role of Franz Liebkind. Bill Nolte, not Nick, has fallen in love with our little village and purchased a home here. The play closed on Feb. 9th, but Bill will remain. Reason why I write about Bill? He will be performing solo in a show called "All of Me" at the Clark County Flamingo Library Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24th at 2 p.m. The show will feature standards by songwriters such as Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Fats Waller, Anthony Newley and Stephen Sondheim. Tickets are $15 and for reservations or info call the Performing Arts Society of Nevada at (702) 658-6741... The Da Vinci Experience, an exclusive exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci's remarkable inventions and copies of his most famous paintings currently on display at the Henderson Events Plaza, will close out its run Sunday, March 2nd... Mary Wilson of the Supremes will be appearing at the Riverside Resort and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, beginning Feb. 26 through March 2nd.

Well, gang, that's about it for yet another week.

I'm outa here!

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