Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Mick Jagger sweeps into Vegas restaurant
MICK JAGGER has been known to seek Las Vegas landmarks. He found another Friday night, striding into Piero’s Italian Cuisine at about 9:30 p.m.
The Rolling Stones’ legendary front man ventured to the restaurant’s back-room lounge, a night before the band plays Allegiant Stadium. Piero’s GM Evan Glusman, son of iconic restaurant founder Freddie Glusman, confirmed Saturday that Jagger arrived with a party of eight.
The 80-year-old rock legend ordered agnolotti, a Piero’s staple since its opening in 1980, opting for pesto sauce.
Glusman said an advance team scouted the restaurant, once featured in the 1995 mob classic “Casino,” at 5 p.m. Three armed security officers kept watch over the scene until Jagger left at about 11 p.m.
“As far as rock stars, it doesn’t get much bigger than Mick Jagger,” Evan Glusman said. “He has been famous for 60 years and is still filling the biggest stadiums in the world. We are honored that he picked our restaurant as a place to visit in Las Vegas.”
Stabile Productions co-founders Matt and Angela Stabile; their daughter-producer Tiffany Stabile; and Jagger’s choreographer, Chucky Klapow, were also on the scene.
Jagger wound up seated next to popular national radio broadcaster J.T. The Brick (whose legal name is John Tournour) and his wife, Julie.
“Mick just walked into Piero’s NOW,” J.T. texted, as he was dining with his son, John. “We are having dinner. Right next to me.”
This was only fitting. J.T. and Julie met after the Stones’ show at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on historic Stones show at The Joint at the Hard Rock on Feb. 15, 1998.
Last year on his tour of Vegas, Jagger posted on social media from Neon Museum,
Fremont Street Experience and the parking lot of CJ’S Auto Repair on West Bonanza Road. Different dress code there.
Star of stage, and screen?
Gwen Stefani delivered a spirited introduction of her husband, Blake Shelton, on Friday night at the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love gala at MGM Grand Garden.
“I am honored, absolutely honored, to be here tonight to support the incredible work of Keep Memory Alive,” said Stefani, wearing a silver-sparkled dress, “and to celebrate this year’s honoree, Blake Shel-ton!”
Stefani continued, “His heart is as big as his voice. His talent is obvious. He lights up the room and brings a smile to everyone he meets, and that makes us all love him so much.” The No Doubt co-founder listed Shelton’s supporting organizations nationwide, those benefiting
veterans, children’ shospitals, food banks, people with disabilities, disaster relief efforts, wildlife conversation.
Having established a righteous crescendo, Stefani called Shelton to the stage, “Please help me welcome my husbaaaand!”
It took Shelton about two minutes to find his way to the spotlight, but used the suspense to break news.
“They told me that Gwen had some nice things to say, and I didn’t want to miss that, and then there’s no good way to get up on this stage” Shelton started as he took a stool and grabbed nearby acoustic. “It doesn’t really matter, though. I don’t know if you guys saw the auction earlier. This is maybe the last time I’m ever going to perform country music. I’m a movie star now. I’m not (messing) around.”
Shelton might have paid his way to a second career. He made the top bid for a walkon role with Mark Wahlberg, an exclusive opportunity to be in an upcoming movie. The project is certain to be filmed in Nevada, should Wahlberg realize his Hollywood dreams in this state.
The walk-on experience
nd includes a look at “the magic of filmmaking” with the A-list star and his cast and crew, and two tickets to the premiere. Everyone wins.
Shelton claimed the auction with a $40K bid, a mere pittance for what might be an Oscar-winning turn.
Shelton followed with and acoustic set, starting with a proven audience favorite, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” Longtime Power of Love supporters remember that song unleashed in 2020, performed by Diamond himself, in his what was likely his final public performance.
Shelton and Stefani teamed on “Nobody But You” The crowd anticipated this the moment she showed up in the room. That audience, especially those crammed at the front of the stage (we call it the Posh Pit) was spirited away. If Wahlberg has a country musical in his holster, he’s already found his man.
Cool Hang Alert
We have an instant classic from our friends at Majestic Repertory Theatre in the Arts District. “Ride The Cyclone” is the theater’s latest joy ride. Once more, the plot is six teenage chamber-choir singers are thrown into Limbo after a freak accident. The sextet encounter a mechanical fortuneteller, who offers them the chance to sing their way back to reality.
The show is generating broad word-of-mouth support around Vegasville. Emily Jillette, who has an educated eye for Broadway and off-broadway gems, loves it and is heading back. The musical is extended through June 8; go to tickettailor.com for intel and to book. We’ll get there, ASAP.