Misplaced Pages

#581418

66-892: In 1991, the club chain became defunct. Thereafter, on October 6, 2006, a Playboy Club was opened in Las Vegas at the Palms Casino Resort, and in 2010 clubs were opened as well in Macau and Cancun. In time, the Las Vegas club closed on June 4, 2012, the Macao club closed in 2013, and the Cancun club closed in 2014. In May 2014 the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles opened a Playboy-themed lounge consisting of gaming tables and Playboy Bunny cocktail waitresses. In September 2018,

132-540: A $ 341,000 Internal Revenue Service tax lien . By 1999, he was financially well off again. In August 2005, the IRS filed a lawsuit against Newton alleging that he and his wife owed more than $ 1.8 million in taxes and penalties. One of Newton's tax lawyers disputed that, saying, "We believe the IRS owes him money." In late 2009, officials at Oakland County International Airport in Waterford, Michigan, claimed Newton owed

198-475: A $ 501,388 judgment against Newton awarded to Monty Ward, his former personal pilot, but security personnel employed by Newton refused to accept the papers. Ward, who filed suit in 2006, won the judgment for past-due wages in January 2009. Newton was enmeshed in another lawsuit over a stalled project to convert his 40-acre home into a museum. In this lawsuit, a developer claimed he purchased Newton's home and paid

264-577: A 10-year-deal with the Stardust , calling for Newton to perform there 40 weeks out of the year for six shows a week in a showroom named after him. The "headliner-in-residence" deal was the first of its kind. In 2005, in preparation for the eventual demolition of the Stardust Casino, the deal was amicably terminated. His last show at the Stardust was on April 20, 2005. In his final performance at

330-511: A Blue Lady ," however he closed the show with a special finale of " MacArthur Park " which culminated with an onstage rainfall. On December 12, 1992, Newton hit No. 1 on the Cashbox Pop and Country charts with an Elvis-inspired song " The Letter ." Controversy swirled around this chart feat as "The Letter" did not chart at all on Billboard 's authoritative Hot 100 chart, Adult Contemporary chart, or "Bubbling Under" chart. It did not make

396-461: A Las Vegas brokerage firm. Bankruptcy papers placed the value of the property at $ 50.8 million. The property remained on the market, until 2015, when Newton reached an accord with Lacy Harber, the businessman who owned 70% of the corporation that had purchased Casa de Shenandoah to turn it into a museum. Newton and his family moved back into the property, and in September 2015, after construction of

462-791: A Playboy Club was opened in Midtown Manhattan but permanently closed in November 2019 after just over one year in operation. The first club opened at 116 E. Walton Street in downtown Chicago, Illinois , United States, on February 29, 1960. The opening acts were comedian Dick Gregory and then 17-year old singer, Aretha Franklin. Chicago jazz pianist, Sam Distefano, was the Musical Director. It relocated to Clark and Armitage in Lincoln Park in 1980 and closed in June 1986. Over

528-509: A Playboy-themed gaming lounge in 2014. The Commerce Casino offers a wide variety of limit, pot limit and no limit poker games, including: The casino spreads more Texas Hold'em games than any other casino in the world. Commerce spreads hold'em games as low as 2-3 and 2-4. 3-6, 4-8 & 6-12 exist on the main floor, with 8-16 and larger limit games in the Hotel section. No Limit Hold 'em games have buy-ins as low as $ 40 and go much higher. There

594-459: A booking he had at Harrah's Reno . Benny then hired Newton as an opening act for his comedy show in Las Vegas and to perform on The Jack Benny Program , which Newton did for five years. After his job with Benny ended, Newton was offered a job to open for another comic at the Flamingo but Newton asked for, and was given, a headline act in 1963. In 1965, Newton performed on The Lucy Show as

660-422: A casino, cigar terrace, gentleman's tonic, sports bar ("The Player's Lounge"), night club ("The Tale Bar"), cocktail bar under the direction of Salvatore Calabrase , and a fine dining restaurant under the reins of Iron Chef Judy Joo . Along the stair-walls, a row of lenticular portraits are hung winking and smiling at guests as they walk by. In November 2012, spokesman Sanjay Gupta announced that PB Lifestyle,

726-453: A country boy singing to animals. Impressed with Newton's performance, CBS offered Newton his own TV show around this character. However, Newton declined the offer, at the urging of Lucille Ball , who told Newton unless "you want to be this country boy the rest of your life, turn this series down..." Newton was known for his distinctive high-pitched voice, which stayed with him for most of his career, although his voice did lower somewhat in

SECTION 10

#1732771904582

792-581: A lawyer from North Olmsted, Ohio . The couple have one daughter, born in 2002. Newton was floated as a potential candidate for United States Senate by Frank Fahrenkopf , the former Republican State Chairman of Nevada, but Newton declined to run. A street near the Harry Reid International Airport is named Wayne Newton Boulevard. Newton was elected to the Gaming Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2010, Newton testified in front of

858-568: A local music radio show, playing steel guitar and singing country music, before school. On the weekends, he performed in a traveling road show of the Grand Ole Opry . While he was a child, his family moved near Newark, Ohio . He began singing in local clubs, theaters, and fairs with his older brother, Jerry. Due to Newton's severe asthma, his family moved to Phoenix in 1952, at his doctor's suggestion. Soon after arriving in Phoenix,

924-679: A luxury hotel, 45 Park Lane) was the most profitable casino in the world, and the British casinos contributed $ 32 million to the corporation. Later, Playboy also operated British casinos in Manchester and Portsmouth. In 1981, Playboy opened a hotel and casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with an 800-seat showroom designed by Playboy's Vice-President of Entertainment, Sam Distefano. However, the New Jersey gaming regulators denied Playboy

990-605: A metal key-card in 1966) was required for admission to a club. They were presented to the Door Bunny. In 1965, Hugh Hefner sent Victor Lownes to London to open Playboy's British casinos, following legalization of gambling in the United Kingdom . Playboy's Musical Director, Sam Distefano, set up the entertainment policy for the London Playboy Club and Casino. In 1981, the casino at 45 Park Lane (now

1056-518: A month to retain its airworthiness. The plane has since been disassembled, transported, and reassembled on his estate grounds. In February 2010, Bruton Smith sued Newton, claiming he was delinquent on a loan he had personally guaranteed, then bought from Bank of America . Smith sought foreclosure of Newton's Las Vegas ranch Casa de Shenandoah. That same month, Clark County sheriff's deputies were refused entry to Newton's ranch. The officers attempted to serve civil papers and seize property as part of

1122-480: A new Playboy Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new club at The Palms, with its prominent neon bunny head, had casinos, bars, and a restroom with pictures of Playmates on the walls. The club closed in June 2012. Australian women were invited to Sydney to audition for the iconic Playboy Bunny role and for positions as singers and dancers at the Playboy Club. A minimum of five women were chosen to travel to Macao for

1188-586: A night club. After the Goa club, PB Lifestyle planned to open clubs in Hyderabad and Mumbai . India's obscenity laws ban material deemed "lascivious or appealing to prurient interests". Adult magazines such as Playboy are banned in India. Designer Mohini Tadikonda has altered the original Playboy Bunnies uniform to satisfy India's obscenity laws. In 2nd half of 20th century, Spain, a local Hostess Bar businessman in

1254-583: A partnership with other Arabian breeders to purchase Aramus, who was a son of Naborr. He became the sole owner of Aramus in 1972. Newton was given the Arabian Horse Breeders' Alliance (AHBA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 during the first Arabian Breeder's World Cup in Las Vegas. He continues to be directly involved in management of his horses, planning the breeding program for his horses, determining which to keep and which to sell, and even assisting his ranch staff during foaling season. He

1320-474: A permanent gaming license, and Playboy sold its interest in the unit to Elsinore Corporation, its partner in the venture, in 1984, at which time the hotel and casino were renamed The Atlantis. The Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin featured architecture inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, operated from May 6, 1968, until 1981, had a ski slope, and was one of the first to install a chair lift . The facility

1386-561: A show entitled "Mr. Las Vegas" at Caesars Palace that ran from January through May 2019. Referring to his 60th year on stage, Newton said "It's hard for me to articulate, much less think about it...I was here when Caesars (Palace) was built. This hotel for me has always represented the flagship of the Strip." In June 2020, Newton was seen on television commercials in North America as a spokesperson for Caesars Entertainment to promote

SECTION 20

#1732771904582

1452-461: A six-month contract as a Playboy Bunny. The Macao Playboy Club opened on November 24, 2010. In October 2010, it was announced that a new Playboy Club in London was to be opened on the site of the old Rendezvous Mayfair Casino 14 Old Park Lane. It was opened on June 4, 2011. The 17,000 sq ft property, spread over two floors, was designed by London-based architects Jestico + Whiles . The club features

1518-505: A spot in his act plus a headlining act of their own for a year. During player introductions at the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, Newton sang Presley's "Viva Las Vegas." Newton was featured on the 2007 fall season of Dancing with the Stars partnered with two-time champion Cheryl Burke . He became the third contestant to be eliminated from the contest. During the taping (which takes place at CBS Television City ), he also became

1584-473: A two-week contract to perform in Las Vegas at the Flamingo . On closing night, Newton and his brother were offered a one-year contract to continue performing in Las Vegas. To pursue his music career, Newton left North High School just before finishing his junior year. At age 18, Newton intended to join the US military but because of his asthma he was given a 1-Y rejection meaning he was qualified to serve only in

1650-562: Is a new $ 5/10 $ 500/$ 1500 spread No Limit Hold'em game which was first created in 2008. The Casino's bad beat jackpots sometimes grow into six figures. Commerce Casino offers a $ 100,000 Super Jackpot for Hold 'em. Players can bring members of a home game to the Casino and they will provide game instruction, dealers, a pit boss , cards, chips and poker snacks. The "home" games act as live cash games and are eligible for jackpots. The casino offers free poker lessons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at

1716-524: Is an American singer and actor. One of the most popular singers in the United States from the mid-to-late 20th century, Newton remains one of the best-known entertainers in Las Vegas and has performed there since 1963. He is known by other nicknames such as "The Midnight Idol" and "Mr. Entertainment". As a teenager, Newton first performed in Las Vegas in the late 1950s and was mentored by some of

1782-433: Is called Aramus Arabians, and has produced six generations of horses, breeding over 700 foals , with 96 champions as of 2014 . Newton's first experience with horses was at his uncle's farm, where he visited frequently. He bought his first horse when he sold his bicycle and his parents' movie camera to buy a foal when he was a sixth-grader. Originally owning Thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horses , he "fell in love" with

1848-770: Is now operated as the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. The 32-piece house orchestra was headed by Chicago pianist, Sam Distefano, who conducted for performers such as Frank Sinatra , Peggy Lee , Mel Tormé , Liza Minnelli , Sonny & Cher , Dean Martin , Sammy Davis Jr. , Paul Anka , Dionne Warwick , Eddie Fisher , Wayne Newton , Vic Damone , Diahann Carroll , Bette Midler , Frankie Avalon , Anthony Newley , Vikki Carr , Tony Bennett , Natalie Cole , Donna Summer and Ann-Margret . Distefano went on to serve as Playboy's Vice President of entertainment for all Playboy Clubs and Hotels worldwide, until he left Playboy after 25 years. On October 6, 2006, Playboy opened

1914-448: Is the highest-grossing entertainer in Las Vegas history. Throughout his career, Newton has appeared in a number of movies and television shows. His well known songs include " Danke Schoen " (1963), " Summer Wind " (1965), " Red Roses for a Blue Lady " (1965), " Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast " (1972) and " Years " (1980). "Danke Schoen" is Newton's signature song and was notably used in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off . Newton

1980-536: The Radio & Records chart either. This marked the first and only time in history that a record hit #1 on the Cashbox Top 100 chart yet failed to chart on Billboard ' s Hot 100. During the 1990s, Newton began performing at other casinos as their headliner, including Bally's , Caesars Palace , and MGM Grand Las Vegas . Newton performed his 25,000th solo show in Las Vegas in 1994. In 1999, Newton signed

2046-751: The National Mall in Washington, D.C. , attracting large crowds. However, in April 1983, James G. Watt , President Reagan 's Secretary of the Interior , banned Independence Day concerts on the Mall by such groups. Watt said that " rock bands " that had performed on the Mall on Independence Day in 1981 and 1982 had encouraged drug use and alcoholism and had attracted "the wrong element" who would threaten individuals and families attending any similar events in

Playboy Club - Misplaced Pages Continue

2112-589: The 1970s and 1980s. In the 1970s, Newton began focusing on primarily performing in Las Vegas. Following the death of Elvis Presley and the aging of many members of the Rat Pack , Newton emerged as the biggest entertainer in Las Vegas. In the 1970s, Newton performed primarily at the Desert Inn , The Frontier and Sands Hotel and Casino . Newton holds the record for total crowd counts during his peak. Esquire described Newton as "the biggest moneymaker in

2178-582: The 80th Annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia from May 1–7, 2007. He canceled a sold-out show to join the Festival. In 2008, Newton received a Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service . The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars , a national memorial to President Wilson, commemorates "the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson ." The award honors leaders who have given back to their communities. From 1980 to 1982, Newton

2244-677: The American Diabetes Association was created. It has been awarded to several researchers including Jose F. Caro and Peter J. Roach. In 2001, Newton succeeded Bob Hope as chairman of the United Service Organizations Celebrity Circle, a nonprofit-charitable corporation that provides live entertainment to members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Newton was the grand marshal of

2310-574: The Arabian breed via his ownership of the Champion stallion Aramus, after whom he named his horse ranch. He first came to the attention of Arabian breeders in 1969 when he partnered with Tom Chauncey, an Arabian breeder and television station owner, to purchase the stallion Naborr from the estate of Anne McCormick . They paid $ 150,000, which at the time was the highest price ever paid for an Arabian horse at auction. Shortly thereafter, Newton formed

2376-733: The Crowne Plaza Hotel. Beginner classes are Tuesdays from 8 pm to 10 pm and intermediate classes are held on Thursdays from 8 pm to 10 pm. Registration is available at the company website. The instructor is Roger Rodd "Poker Comedian and Poker Instructor to the Stars." The Commerce Casino is home to several poker tournament series, including: The Commerce Casino is home to several eating establishments, including: Commerce also offers Pan , No Bust Blackjack , 3 Card Poker , Let It Ride , Caribbean Stud Poker , 21st Century Baccarat , EZ Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker , Super Pan Nine and 13 Card ( Chinese poker ). Games besides poker, such as

2442-763: The Macao Club closed in 2013 and the Cancun Club closed in 2014. Manila was the only Club ever to be featured in Architectural Digest . During the last three months of 1961, more than 132,000 people visited the Chicago club, making it the busiest night club in the world. Playboy Club membership became a status symbol. Only 21% of all key holders ever went to a club. At $ 25.00 per year per membership, Playboy grossed $ 25 million for every 1,000,000 members. The Rabbit-headed metal Playboy key (supplanted by

2508-792: The Playboy Plaza in Miami Beach, Florida and Playboy Towers in Chicago. The last American location before Playboy Club Las Vegas opened was Lansing, Michigan , located in the Hilton Hotel, which closed in July 1988. International Clubs existed until the 1991 closing of the Manila , Philippines Club located in the Silahis International Hotel . In 2010, International Clubs were opened in Macao and Cancun but, in time,

2574-640: The Rules Committee of the Virginia House of Delegates where he appealed for the state to recognize the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia . Newton believes his father and grandfather have Patawomeck ancestry. Newton has stated, "My two loves in life, from the time I can remember, were music and horses, and I couldn't decide which I loved more." His Arabian horse breeding program, located at his Casa de Shenandoah ranch,

2640-495: The Stardust, Newton sang nearly his entire repertoire and songs of other Vegas mainstays as well. During the summer of 2005, Newton began a 30-show stint that summer at the Las Vegas Hilton . Going into the 2000s, Newton continued to perform shows in Las Vegas and took a larger role serving as the face of Las Vegas. In January 2005 Newton started a reality television show on E! called The Entertainer . The winner got

2706-552: The Valencia community registered the name: 'Club Playboy' and the rabbit icon. Several of this kind exist under the name. On September 12, 2018, a Playboy Club was opened in New York City at 512 West 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan . Many questioned the wisdom of opening a Playboy Club in the #MeToo era. On November 14, 2019, after just over one year in operation, the owners of the new Playboy Club in New York City announced

Playboy Club - Misplaced Pages Continue

2772-422: The airport more than $ 60,000 for unpaid parking fees, which they claimed he owed after having abandoned a $ 2 million Fokker F28 plane there more than three years before. The plane was originally flown in for renovations in 2005. After they were completed in 2007, the plane was moved to an outside parking area. The monthly parking fees were $ 5,000. An aircraft of this type needs to have its engines run at least once

2838-436: The bet wagered (rounded up to the nearest dollar) for hosting these games. The Racebook at Commerce Casino opened in July 2009, featuring mini satellite wagering from California and Eastern U.S. race tracks. 33°59′54″N 118°08′41″W  /  33.998407°N 118.144587°W  / 33.998407; -118.144587 Wayne Newton Carson Wayne Newton (born April 3, 1942), also known as Mr. Las Vegas ,

2904-410: The brothers first performed on The Jackie Gleason Show . Over the next two years, Newton would perform on Gleason's show 12 times, which were his first appearances on national television. In the early to mid-1960s, Newton also acted and sang as "Andy," the baby-faced Ponderosa ranchhand, on the classic western TV series Bonanza . During the filming of Bonanza , Newton first met Elvis Presley (who

2970-745: The brothers performed in a local television talent show Lew King Rangers and won. As a result, the owner of KOOL-TV , Tom Chauncey, who also televised the talent show, gave the brothers their own television show, Rascals in Rhythm and served as a mentor to them. The brothers, as the Rascals in Rhythm, appeared with the Grand Ole Opry roadshows and on ABC-TV 's Ozark Jubilee ; performed in front of then-president Dwight D. Eisenhower and auditioned unsuccessfully for Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour . Newton attended North High School where he

3036-521: The casino was providing $ 22 million a year in licensing fees to the city. In addition to the main cardroom, the Commerce Casino complex includes a full-service 200-room Crowne Plaza Hotel, which houses dining establishments, a day spa ,a beauty salon, pool and sundeck, banquet rooms, shops, and entertainment. The Commerce is also home to several restaurants and host to live boxing, MMA and Professional Wrestling events. Commerce Casino opened

3102-435: The club had permanently closed and the space would be re-branded as a steak house and other entertainment venue. Commerce Casino Commerce Casino is a cardroom located in the Los Angeles suburb of Commerce . With over 240 tables on site, Commerce Casino is the largest cardroom in the world. Established in 1983, the casino accounted for 38% of Commerce's tax revenues for the 2006-2007 fiscal year. As of 2016 ,

3168-485: The company in India with rights to the brand, would be opening its first club in India at Candolim, Goa in December 2012. It was planned as a 22,000 square feet (2,000 m) beach location. In April 2013, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar refused the application on "technical grounds". Parrikar said only individuals, not corporations, were eligible to operate a beach shack style club. The law did not preclude opening

3234-627: The event of a major emergency. Instead, Newton volunteered his time performing shows for troops overseas. Wayne Newton and his brother performed at The Flamingo for five years doing six shows for six days a week. Newton credits his ability to base his performances on what the crowd wanted to hear for his early success in Las Vegas. In 1962, Newton performed the Irish folk song " Danny Boy " for Jackie Gleason in Phoenix. Impressed by Newton's performance, Gleason told Newton "don't go on any other television show before you go on mine." On September 29, 1962,

3300-550: The first guest on The Price Is Right , which tapes on the same lot, under host Drew Carey , who began adding guests to the show, especially to present prizes. Newton appeared after a trip to Las Vegas was shown. Beginning October 14, 2009, Newton began performing his then newest show "Once Before I Go" at the Tropicana in Las Vegas. In 2010, Newton took a five-year hiatus to spend time with his family and prepare his voice for later shows in Las Vegas. In 2016, Newton returned to

3366-622: The future. Watt then announced that Newton, a friend and supporter of President Reagan, would perform at the Mall's 1983 Independence Day celebration. Newton entered the Independence Day stage on the Mall on July 4, 1983, to mostly cheering members of the audience, but some members booed. On May 23, 1989, Newton's live stage show was broadcast as a pay-per-view event called Wayne Newton Live in Concert . Newton did not perform his trademark songs " Danke Schoen " or " Red Roses for

SECTION 50

#1732771904582

3432-438: The history of Vegas. Nobody has drawn like that week in, week out. Not Elvis, not Sinatra . There's just no comparison." Newton's shows were especially popular in Las Vegas because of their length - often lasting up to three hours - which stood out in comparison to the short length of many headliners' shows at the time in Las Vegas. In 1972, his recording of " Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast " sold more than one million copies and

3498-406: The house. Any player that regularly banks the "player banked games" and does not have a contract with the casino to do so will be barred from the casino. The Commerce serves as a host for these games, providing a venue for their play and benefits indirectly off the gambling revenue through "rent" payments from the third-party provider. The casino also charges a collection to play the game usually 1% of

3564-408: The nation's biggest artists including Frank Sinatra , Bobby Darin and Elvis Presley . In 1963, he achieved headliner status at the Flamingo , a casino hotel in Las Vegas, and soon became one of the city's most popular performers. The Washington Post describes Newton as "America's number one night club act" and at his peak being more prominent in Las Vegas than both Sinatra and Presley. Newton

3630-705: The next two decades, over two dozen clubs had been established across the United States: There was also a Playboy Club in Montreal Canada. Playboy Clubs operated in Japan, under a franchise arrangement, in Tokyo , Osaka , Nagoya , and Sapporo . There were Playboy Club resorts in Ocho Rios, Jamaica , Great Gorge at McAfee, New Jersey , and at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, as well as Club-Hotels such as

3696-504: The ones listed above, are called "California Games" and have been modified to conform to California state gambling laws. The primary difference between California Games and normal casino table games is that the player does not play against the house but rather plays against a third-party provider that banks the games. California law requires that all non-poker games at the Commerce Casino or any California card room are player-banked, meaning players play only against one another, and never against

3762-667: The reopening of Caesars Entertainment resorts during the COVID-19 pandemic . During the 2022 NFL draft , which was held in Las Vegas, Newton announced, alongside Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen , the Las Vegas Raiders ' third round pick selection of Dylan Parham from the University of Memphis . On June 1, 1968, Newton married Elaine Okamura; they divorced in 1985. They have one daughter named Erin, born in 1976. On April 9, 1994, Newton married Kathleen McCrone,

3828-470: The singer $ 19.5 million, with the understanding that Newton would move out and allow the property to be converted into a museum. The developer claimed that he had invested $ 50 million on the project, but that Newton had failed to move out and had deliberately thwarted construction efforts. On December 17, 2012, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Bruce Markell approved the sale of Wayne Newton's estate, Casa de Shenandoah, to be listed for sale by Nathan and Associates,

3894-571: The stage at Bally's Hotel in the form of a lounge show called "Up Close & Personal," a combination of live singing, playing some of the 13 self-taught instruments (having learned in the past to give his voice a rest when performing six shows a night at the Fremont Hotel), and showing movie and TV clips of himself on screen. After performing more than 30,000 shows on the Las Vegas Strip , Newton celebrated his 60th year on stage with

3960-455: Was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in July 1972. The song peaked at No. 4 in the United States and No. 1 in Australia and Canada, while the album of the same name peaked at No. 25 on the album charts. In 1975, Newton was featured in Glen Campbell Live in London , a TV special for the BBC . Campbell and Newton sang three songs together. From 1980 through 1982, The Beach Boys and The Grass Roots performed Independence Day concerts on

4026-413: Was awarded the Arabian Professional and Amateur Horseman's Association Breeder of the Year award in 1996. Newton was featured in the production of "You Can't Say Love Enough" (1996), an all-star single, also featuring Dolly Parton , Heidi Newfield and several other artist-celebrities; this production served to raise funds for diabetes research. Concurrently, the Wayne Newton Research Grant awarded by

SECTION 60

#1732771904582

4092-445: Was born Carson Wayne Newton born in Roanoke , Virginia to Patrick Newton (1915–1990), an auto mechanic, and his wife, Evelyn Marie Smith (1921–1985). He is of mostly English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and German ancestry. His father served in the U.S. Navy during World War II , Newton spent his early years in Fredericksburg, Virginia , learning the piano, guitar, and steel guitar at age six. He has perfect pitch . He performed in

4158-418: Was filming another show on the same set) and they went on to become good friends. In 1962, Jackie Gleason organized an engagement between Newton and the Copacabana . There Newton first met Bobby Darin . Darin, who was impressed by Newton, agreed to produce Newton's records. By 1963 Newton had been signed to Capitol Records , and his first album was released on the label. Newton's hit song " Danke Schoen "

4224-454: Was originally written for Darin to sing, however Darin was intent on Newton having a hit song of his own and gave it to him. "Danke Schoen" went on to reach No. 13 on the Hot 100. Many other prominent entertainment icons such as Lucille Ball , Danny Thomas , George Burns , and Jack Benny lent Newton their support. For example, after Benny saw Newton performing at a nightclub in Sydney, Australia , he hired him to perform an opening act for

4290-445: Was part owner of the Aladdin Hotel , in a partnership that led to a number of lawsuits and a failed attempt by Newton to purchase the entire hotel in 1983. In 1992, Newton filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize an estimated $ 20 million in debts, much of which was accumulated while suing NBC for libel; he claimed the network had reported that he partnered with the Mafia to buy the Aladdin. His bankruptcy declaration included

4356-407: Was the Sophomore Class President. He was also a member of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps . In the spring of 1958, near the end of his junior year of high school, a Las Vegas booking agent saw the two Newton brothers performing on their local TV show and took them back for an audition. Impressed with their audition, the booking agent signed Newton, then age 15, and his brother, as part of

#581418