The first time I saw Neil Sedaka was at the Minidome in Pocatello, Idaho. This was, and still is, a multi-event venue shaped like the potato cellars so prevalent in the Gem State.
Sedaka was my first concert ever, that night in 1977. I was 11 and attended with my grandparents. Sedaka wore a jacket with “SEDAKA’S BACK” written in bling on the back. Very clever. I’d understood he was once famous, the not so famous, then famous again with the hit song “Bad Blood,” recorded with Elton John.
As Sedaka died Friday at age 86, I remember the excitement of seeing the recording star sing songs I’d known on the radio.
Sedaka had that great voice, sweet and easy to connect with. The showman expertly bantered with the audience, recalling, “Someone asked me what I did when the Beatles got to America. Well, I cried a lot.”
The British Invasion overtook the teen idols of the late-’50s and early ’60s, Sedaka among them. But the crowd in Poky cheered through “Oh, Carol,” “Calendar Girl” and “Breaking Up is Hard To Do.” I remember a huge response to “Laughter In The Rain.”
Forty years later, I met Sedaka in Las Vegas. In March 2017, I was a guest of my magic buddy Murray Sawchuck at Sedaka’s show at Orleans Showroom. Sawchuck had been friends of Sedaka and his family, meeting the crew while Sawchuck was headlining on Norwegian Cruise Lines.
I felt a rush of nostalgia when meeting Sedaka before his show at the Orleans. I started, “I saw you 40 years ago, in Pocatello, Idaho …” He grinned and said, “No, you didn’t!” I swore it happened.
“That was the ‘Sedaka’s Back’ tour,” Sedaka remembered. I told him my age at the time and he said, “Oooooh … Well, I have been doing it for 60 years It’s not as easy as it used to be, but I still love doing it.”
Sedaka performed many of the songs from the ‘77 show. He would not tolerate interruptions cutting off a fan who continued to shout, “Calendar Girl!”
“Are you in show business?” Sedaka asked. “No? Then shut up.”
He also asked for his piano to be moved closer to the edge of the stage, “I want to be closer to these folks! They paid good money to see me!”
Thousand of shows since, I still remember “SEDAKA’S BACK” like it was last night. Forty years between the first and last shows is the longest period between headliners in my life. The crowd at the Minidome flicked their Bics to honor Sedaka. I thank him, always, for igniting my passion for live performance.
Such a romantic
The first song Bruno Mars learned on guitar was Carlos Santana’s “Europa (Earth Cry Heaven’s Smile).” The instrumental track is from Santana’s “Amigos” album. Mars was 13 when he learned the song.
There is a sense of Santana on Mars’ new album, “The Romantic.” Especially, “Something Serious,” which actually sounds like a Mars-Santana collaboration. One day, maybe. Latin effects also drip from the mariachi horns opening “Risk It All,” and the rhythms of the boogie-inducing “Cha Cha Cha.”
At nine tracks, the new release feel like a scaled-down album, or expanded EP. It’s similar to a Mars show at Dolby Live or one of his appearances at The Pinky Ring at Bellagio. You want more, which I suppose is the point.
My hope, which is maybe hopeless, is for Mars to issue a rock-cover performance from The Pinky Ring as a limited-edition, vinyl-only release. Serial numbers stamped on every cover. This would be a graduated version of “Sinatra at the Sands,” from 60 years ago. “Live at The Pinky Ring” would be a different atmosphere and unalike genre, but a unique moment in time on the Strip. I’d even buy a new turntable, and maybe take guitar lessons.
Legendary effort
“Legends & Laughs” is a new show honoring the superstars of Las Vegas history. It’s also an example of “no-schedule” TV viewing, 5:30 a.m. Sundays on KSNV Channel 3. I’ll be recording that one.
Emily Conner Cooper hosts. Cooper was married to the late comedy giant Pat Cooper. We met her at Cooper’s 80th birthday at the Italian American Club. Cooper is also the daughter of Diane Decker, of the ’60s folk group The Serendipity Singers.
The show is to delve deeply into the lives of influential entertainers and personalities. Vegas vocal impression icon Bob Anderson is her first guest.
“This show was born out of my passion for the old days of Vegas with a bit of urgency,” Cooper says. “Las Vegas moves fast. Performers reinvent themselves constantly. But if we don’t capture these stories now, we risk losing them.”
Cool Hang Alert
Comedy-metal outfit Psychostick headlines at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and dark Italo-disco and synth-pop trio Nuovo Testamento with Dark Chisme at 7 p.m. Thursday at Backstage Bar & Billiards and Fremont Country Club on Fremont East. This is some heavy-duty fun and games at Backstage, Fremont East’s rock central. Shows are 21-over; go to 601fremont.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.