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Wayne Newton

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Wayne Newton

Wayne F. Newton (born April 3, 1942) is an American singer and entertainer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He performed over 30,000 solo shows in Las Vegas over a period of over 40 years, earning him the nickname Mr. Las Vegas. His best known songs include 1972's "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast" (his biggest hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard chart), "Years" (1980),[1] his vocal version of "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" (1965), and his signature song, "Danke Schoen" (1963).

Life and career

Newton was born Carson Wayne Newton in Norfolk, Virginia to Evelyn Marie "Smith" (née Plasters) and Patrick Newton, who was an auto mechanic.[2][3] His father was of Irish-Powhatan descent and his mother of German-Cherokee ancestry [1].[citation needed] While his father was in the U.S. Navy, Newton spent his early childhood in Roanoke, learning the piano, guitar, and steel guitar at the age of six.

While Newton was still a child, his family moved to a home near Newark, Ohio. He began singing in local clubs, theaters, and fairs with his older brother, Jerry. Because of his connection with Newark, the city selected Newton to be the grand marshal of its bicentennial parade in 2002. Wayne's severe asthma forced the family to move to Phoenix, Arizona in 1952, where he later attended North High School. The brothers, as the Rascals in Rhythm, appeared with the Grand Ole Opry roadshows and on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee; and performed for the president and auditioned unsuccessfully for Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour.

In the spring of 1958, toward the end of Wayne's junior year in high school, a Las Vegas booking agent saw a local TV show on which the two Newton brothers were performing and took them back for an audition. Originally signed for two weeks, the brothers eventually performed for five years, doing six shows a day. On September 29, 1962, they first performed on The Jackie Gleason Show. He would perform on Gleason's show 12 times over the following two years.

Many other entertainment icons such as Lucille Ball, Bobby Darin, Danny Thomas, George Burns, and Jack Benny lent Newton their support. In particular, Benny hired Newton as an opening act for his show. After his job with Benny ended, Newton was offered a job to open for another comic at the Flamingo Hotel, but Newton asked for, and was given, a headline act. In 1972 his recording of "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in July 1972.[4]

From 1980 to 1982 Newton 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.[5]

From 1980 through 1982, The Beach Boys and The Grass Roots performed Independence Day concerts on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., attracting large crowds.[6][7] However, in April 1983, James G. Watt, President Ronald 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 "the wrong element", who would mug people and families attending any similar events in the future.[7] Watt then announced that Newton, a friend and supporter of President Reagan and a contributor to Republican Party political campaigns, would perform at the Mall's 1983 Independence Day celebration.[7][8] When Newton entered an Independence Day stage on the Mall on July 4, 1983, members of his audience booed him.[9][10]

In 1994, Newton performed his 25,000th solo show in Las Vegas.

In 1999, Newton signed a 10-year deal with the Stardust, calling for him to perform there 40 weeks out of the year for six shows a week in a showroom named after him. Orchestrated by his business partner, Jack Wishna, this "headliner-in-residence" deal was the first of its kind. In 2005, in preparation for the eventual demolition of the casino, the deal was, from all reports, amicably terminated; Newton began a 30-show stint that summer at the Hilton. His last show at the Stardust was on April 20, 2005.[11] During a break in his on stage performance, he announced to the crowd that night he wanted to spend more time with his wife and new daughter as the main reasonings for canceling the contract. Newton said the Boyd family made him a very nice offer to stay on past the demolition of the hotel and casino and to play in other Boyd venues, but Newton declined citing "another deal in the works for Vegas", but he did not mention the Hilton specifically. News crews were expecting this performance to end on time, to make their 10 pm and 11 pm shows, but the show finally ended around 11:30 pm, thus eliminating the possibility. Mr. Las Vegas went on at 7:30 that night, and sang nearly his entire repertoire and songs of other Vegas mainstays as well.

Newton was elected to the Gaming Hall of Fame in 2000.[12]

In 2001, Newton succeeded Bob Hope as chairman of the USO Celebrity Circle. In January 2005, Newton started a reality television show on E! called The Entertainer. The winner got a spot in his act, plus a headlining act of their own for a year. And recently during player introductions at the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, Newton sang Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas."

Newton was the grand marshal of the 80th Annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia, May 1–7, 2007.[13] He canceled a sold-out show to join the Festival.

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 the first guest on The Price Is Right, which tapes next door, 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.

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.

Beginning October 14, 2009 he will begin performing his newest show "Once Before I Go" at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.[14]

On December 6, 2009, Newton appeared on the finale of the Amazing Race 15. From a suite at the MGM Grand, he told the finalists that the Finish Line was at "my house" (the Casa de Shenandoah on Sunset @ Pecos 36°4′12.8964″N 115°6′4.9212″W / 36.070249000°N 115.101367000°W / 36.070249000; -115.101367000).

Family

In 1968, Newton married Elaine Okamura, and they adopted a daughter before divorcing in 1985. Newton's brother, Jerry, was the best man at the wedding. But within a year, the two were estranged, a situation that continued for more than three decades.

In 1994, Newton married the former Kathleen McCrone, a lawyer from Rocky River, Ohio. The couple has one daughter, born in 2002.

Finances

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; the network had reported that he partnered with the Mafia to buy the Aladdin. His bankruptcy declaration included a $341,000 Internal Revenue Service tax lien. By 1999, he was financially well off again.[15]

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."[16]

In January 2010, Oakland County International Airport sued Newton for unpaid parking fees which they claim he owes on his Fokker F28 which has been parked there for three years. It 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 fee is currently $5,000. An aircraft of this type needs to have its engine run at least once a month to retain its airworthiness. In 2009 it was discovered that the interior of the craft was rotting, and filled with mold.[17]

In February 2010, Bruton Smith sued Newton claiming Newton was deliquent on a loan he had personally guaranteed and then bought from Bank of America. Smith is seeking foreclosure of Newton's Las Vegas ranch Casa de Shenandoah [18]

Quotes about Newton

  • "Advertisements throughout the airport showed enormous pictures of Newton, microphone in hand, as he performed at the Aladdin Hotel. A taxi ride into the city required driving on Wayne Newton Boulevard. If a visitor was very lucky, his driver might tell him that his arrival date coincided with the celebration by the people of Las Vegas of Wayne Newton Day. And if one asked the driver what he thought of Wayne Newton (as I always did), the answer was invariably positive. Newton was good for tourism, one was told; he was good for taxi drivers, too, having entertained many of them for free at various points during his entertainment reign in Las Vegas. More important, Newton was the embodiment of Las Vegas, its ambassador to the world." Floyd Abrams, on arriving in 1986 into Las Vegas to represent the National Broadcasting Company against Wayne Newton in a famous libel suit.[19]

Personal Life

In 1979, for his 20th anniversary North High School class reunion, Newton flew his entire senior class along with their spouses and partners to Las Vegas for an overnight stay featuring his stage show and a barbecue at his ranch.

Namesakes

The road serving the main terminal of McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is named Wayne Newton Boulevard in his honor.

Singles

Year Single Chart positions
US US
AC 		US Country
1963 "Heart! ( I Hear You Beating)"(with the Newton Brothers) 82
"Danke Schoen"(with the Newton Brothers) 13 3
"Shirl Girl"(with the Newton Brothers) 58 18
1964 "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" 123
"The Little White Cloud That Cried" 99
"Only You" 122
1965 "Comin' On Too Strong" 65
"Red Roses For a Blue Lady" 23 4
"I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time" 52 17
"Summer Wind" 78 9
"Remember When" 69 15
"Some Sunday Morning" 123 23
1966 "Stagecoach To Cheyenne" 113 23
"Games That Lovers Play" 86 22
1967 "Sunny Day Girl" 23
"Summer Colors" 20
"Through the Eyes of Love" 26
"Love of the Common People" 106 33
1968 "All the Time" 26
"Dreams of the Everyday Housewife" 60 14
"Husbands and Wives" 28
1969 "(I Guess) The Lord Must Be In New York City" 28
1972 "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast"(gold record)[4] 4 3 55
"Can't You Hear the Song?" 48 3
"Anthem" 65
1973 "Pour Me a Little More Wine" 26
"While We're Young" 107
1974 "Lady Lay" 101 47
1976 "The Hungry Years" 82 11
1979 "You Stepped Into My Life" 90
"I Apologize" 45
1980 "Years" 35 40
1989 "While the Feeling's Good"(with Tammy Wynette) 63

Filmography

TV credits

  • The Lucy Show (Season 4 Episode 14, 12-27-65) Where the 23 year old Newton plays a fictional character named. . ."Wayne Newton". He sings 3 songs in the half hour episode: "Side By Side", "Bessie The Heifer" and "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You".
  • Bonanza (1966) In 1966, Newton played the character "Andy Walker" in two episodes of the TV series Bonanza.
  • In 1986, Newton appeared as CSA Capt. Thomas turner in the TV mini series "North and South Book II".
  • In 1990, Newton appeared on the TV series Full House in the episode titled Viva Las Joey.
  • In 1991, Newton appeared on the TV series Roseanne in the episode titled Vegas, Vegas.
  • In 1991, he played an opposing counsel in an episode of the TV series L.A. Law.
  • Newton made several guest appearances in the TV series Las Vegas.
  • In 1995, Newton played the manager of a Las Vegas casino in the TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the episode titled Viva Lost Wages
  • Newton also appeared on an episode of the TV series That '70s Show.
  • Newton appeared as himself on NBC's "The Pretender" in the episode "Cold Dick" in 2000.
  • Newton appeared on MTV's reality show "Pimp my Ride"
  • Newton appeared on "My Wife and Kids"
  • Newton appeared on an episode of "7th Heaven" titled "Wayne's World".
  • Newton also had a guest appearance on one of the episodes in the "Perfect Strangers" series which ended its run in 1993.
  • Dancing with the Stars (US Season 5) (2007) (Contestant)
  • Celebrity Family Feud (US Season 1) (2008) (Contestant)
  • Newton was featured in the final leg of Season 15 of the hit CBS reality TV game show The Amazing Race. The Finish Line was at his house.
  • In the movie The Hangover, he is shown in one of the pictures during the credits getting in a fight with Phil.

References

  1. ^ Wayne Newton - Songs
  2. ^ Wayne Newton Biography (1942-)
  3. ^ Genealogy.com: Ancestry of Wayne Newton
  4. ^ a b Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 83. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  5. ^ Aladdin Hotel time line
  6. ^ "July 4: Day of Music, Parades, Fireworks", The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., July 3, 1982, p. 53.
  7. ^ a b c Phil McCombs, "Watt Outlaws Rock Music on Mall for July 4", The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., April 6, 1983, p. A1; Phil McCombs and Richard Harrington, "Watt Sets Off Uproar with Music Ban", The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., April 7, 1983, pp. A1, A17.
  8. ^ Campaign contributions of Wayne Newton in website of NEWSMEAT by Polity Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  9. ^ John Katsilometes,"Newton’s recounting of Beach Boys controversy a telling moment in ‘Once Before I Go’", in "The Kats Report", October 30, 2009, in website of the Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  10. ^ Associated Press, "Newton Sings for 300,000 on Rainy Fourth in Capital", in The Blade, Toledo, Ohio, July 5, 1983, page 4", in Google news. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  11. ^ USATODAY.com - Wayne Newton leaving longtime Vegas stint
  12. ^ "The Gaming Hall of Fame". University of Nevada Las Vegas. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
  13. ^ Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival : Official Web Site
  14. ^ Wayne Newton's performance dates
  15. ^ Out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy
  16. ^ [http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Aug-02-Tue-2005/news/26981975.html 2005 - IRS alleges Wayne Newton owes $1.8 million]
  17. ^ The Detroit Free Press, February 5, 2010, page 8A
  18. ^ 2010 Former friend seeks to foreclose on singer Wayne Newton’s home - Las Vegas Sun
  19. ^ Floyd Abrams Speaking Freely, published by Viking Press (2005); Page 94.
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