by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

As promised we attended the Kevin Spacey Show Monday night at the Stardust Hotel. No suspense this time-it was one of the most wonderful evenings of song I've heard in a long, long time. And, believe me gang, I'm not taking anything away from my two favorites, Steve & Eydie (They'll be at the Stardust January 12-15). But, what made this particular show so memorable was Mr. Spacey and the music of Bobby Darin. Not only is he a great actor (he has a couple of Oscars) but the guy can sing. Another point that needs to be brought out, and it's very important, Kevin was not trying to be an impressionist. He was simply singing the songs Bobby made famous as a tribute to not only the man, but Kevin's own mother and Bobby's family and fans.

With a full orchestra (12 musicians and two backup singers) Mr. Spacey wasted not a second before he began to swing: "Hello Young Lovers" opened the 90 minute show followed with a great "I'm Sitting On Top of the World." We, the audience, knew we were in for a very special treat and Kevin was aware immediately that he could do no wrong this evening.

If you call using certain mannerisms as doing an impression, then Kevin was guilty of that. And, of course, there's nothing wrong with doing that! "Mack the Knife" was wonderfully accepted by the audience and then when he did the title song from the new movie "Beyond the Sea," well what more can one say-standing ovation time! Mr. Spacey received many standing ovations this evening. This was followed by a beautiful "Once Upon a Time" and a great "Fly Me to the Moon." I'm not going to sit here and list every song Kevin Spacey sang Monday night, but needless to say he did a fabulous cross section of Darin's music including: "Bridge Over Trouble Water" by Paul Simon, "My Funny Valentine", "Sail Away" and "Splish, Splash."

And just who was in the audience you might ask? Well, we (my date Donna Sturgeon) did not see them all (remember this is one of the great showrooms of all time and there's not a bad seat anywhere) but a few we spotted included: Steve Wynn, Robert & Vera Goulet, Mike & Annie Merrick, the Domani's, Jackie Brett, Jack & Donna Wishna, Vinnie Favorito, Mel Carter and Phyllis McGuire among the more than 800 fans.

Kevin Spacey thanked his audience Monday night, explaining that this being the last stop of the Budweiser sponsored tour he found it only appropriate it be Las Vegas. Well, Mr. Spacey we of Las Vegas thank you for bringing back to us, if only for a few minutes, one of the treasures lost so long ago... Mr. Bobby Darin, May 14, 1936 - December 20, 1973.

Ran into another fantastic entertainer the other evening... Don Cherry. He and his wife, Francine promised to send me a couple of albums and darn if they didn't! But what was really interesting was the magazine they sent along: Dean Martin Fan Center 10th Anniversary issue. The entire magazine was dedicated to two "Palies" named Dean & Don. It was almost a history of entertainment, golf and Las Vegas. I get lots of stuff from various people, but I'll be darned... I couldn't set this down. Talked to both of them on the phone and learned a few things that should be of interest. Don is still singing and playing golf, but he limits his time for singing. His latest CD is out and what a winner - "Don Cherry It's Magic with Mr. Willie Nelson."

It's been a long time since I actually sat in an audience and listened to this soft-spoken, laid back singer sing "Band of Gold." I believe (not sure) that it occurred at the Desert Inn where he worked for a number of years when Burton Cohen ran the store. Not only was and is Don a perfectionist on stage, but this guy can golf. At one time he was the only entertainer (forget Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, etc) that was a working singer and a member of the PGA playing on tour. As an amateur golfer this Texas born guy has more trophies in his trophy room than there are oil wells in Texas. That's how darn good he was and still is today.

What mystifies me is why some smart casino entertainment buyer hasn't gobbled him up as an entertainer inside the hotel and as a golf consultant during the day. There's not a golfer today, or yesterday, that hasn't heard of Don Cherry. If you would like to know more about this remarkable guy, check out his website: www.doncherry.us.

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

I'm outa here!

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