Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
‘Mr. Las Vegas’ gets killer souvenir at venue opening
Wayne Newton came away from the opening night of the T-Mobile Arena with a killer souvenir.
Brandon Flowers, frontman for The Killers, sent Newton an autographed poster signed by members of the Las Vegas band that’s sold more than 22 million albums.
Newton, one of the evening’s three main acts, said Flowers signed it: “Dear Wayne: You will never know what a thrill it was for me to be on the same stage as Mr. Las Vegas.”
Newton, who turned 74 last Sunday, said calls have been flooding in after all the media attention last week. He’s going to be on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Tuesday, a daytime show in New York and then flies to Los Angeles for a show.
The most emotional moment, he said, came when he sang “My Way” and “everybody lit up their lights.” After dedicating the song to Frank Sinatra, “who helped start us all, I got tears in my eyes,” he said.
“It was a ball,” said Newton, who shared the stage with Shamir, comedian Jeff Civillico, Blue Man Group, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds and The Killers.
The arena opening went down to the wire, with few hiccups.
“We didn’t get a chance to see the room until the day before it opened,” said Newton. “They were still setting up. One of the tractors that was setting up the band stands (for the performers) ran out of gas in the middle of our rehearsal.”
Furniture for the Hyde Lounge didn’t arrive in time for opening night.
Rick Arpin, senior vice president for MGM Resorts International, considers it an extraordinary team effort involving thousands.
“It was delivered not only on time but a month early,” said Arpin, referring to early plans to open it with a major fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
VINCE NEIL INCIDENT
Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil faces six months in prison if convicted of battery charges stemming from a Thursday incident inside Aria at CityCenter.
Neil, 55, allegedly pulled a woman’s hair when she approached his friend, actor for an autograph. The incident happened about 5 p.m.
TMZ.com video showed an irate Cage screaming epithets at Neil, reportedly after an altercation between them following the alleged incident.
Neil is due in court June 17.
Five years ago Neil made headlines for confronting former girlfriend and TV news reporter during a comedy show at the then-Hilton Hotel.
Jacobs filed battery charges, claiming Neil got physical with her. The battery charge was dropped and Neil avoided jail after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct.
Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Hannah, supported the rocker in a Facebook post Friday.
It read, “My angel @ thevinceneil, love you with all my heart, thank you for always putting a smile on my face.”
ON THIS DAY
April 10, 1959: Three robbers break into the house of Vera Krupp at her Spring Mountain Ranch outside Las Vegas and rip the 33.19cart diamond ring off her finger. The FBI recovers it in New Jersey six weeks later and the thieves go to prison. After her death in 1967, Richard Burton buys the Krupp Diamond for Elizabeth Taylor. He paid $305,000, the highest price paid for a diamond at that time. It sold for $8.8 million in 2011.
SIGHTINGS
Kim Kardashian West, hosting Hakkasan’s third anniversary celebration Friday. She was accompanied by “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” cast member Malilia Haqq and longtime friend Simon Huck and others… DJ Steve Aoki, hanging out with singer John Legend on Thursday before the Nicki Minaj-Ariana Grande show at T-Mobile… Singer John Mayer, at Friday’s Guns N Roses show… “Harry Potter” cast member Tom Felton, dining with friends at Tao Asian Bisto (Venetian) on Friday. Also there: Janel Parrish of “Pretty Little Liars,” celebrating boyfriend Justin Altamura’s 30th birthday with friends before moving the party to Tao nightclub… At Lavo Italian Restaurant (Palazzo) on Friday: Redfoo and The Party Rock Crew in their cheetah print pants on Friday… At Bootlegger Bistro on Thursday: Slash of Guns N Roses, Eddie Trunk of VH1’s “That Metal Show” and other rockers.
THE PUNCH LINE
“A California woman has turned her home into a sanctuary for 1,000 cats. She’s applied for both tax and man exempt status.” – Conan O’Brien