Las Vegas Backstage Talk

Gary Puckett, The Amazing Johnathan

May 11, 2017

 Audio of interviews are posted below

Gary Puckett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary Puckett and The Amazing Johnathan guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Gary Puckett performs at The South Point Showroom May 12-14 at 7:30pm.

GARY PUCKETT and the UNION GAP was one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties. Gary’s unmistakable signature voice garnered six consecutive gold records and top ten Billboard hits. GARY PUCKETT has performed on more than thirty network television shows and prime time specials during his career, even adding a command performance for the President and Prince Charles at the White House. The Union Gap disbanded in the seventies. In 1974, “Young Girl” was reissued in England where it received a silver record award for attaining a top five position on the pop charts, several years after its initial release.

Gary continues to tour nationally & internationally, has a new album out now, “GARY PUCKETT – LIVE”, and has recently released his first ever Chrismas CD, entitled “At Christmas”.

The Amazing Johnathan

The Amazing Johnathan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Amazing Johnathan returns to Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.  (Repeat)

The Amazing Johnathan, is an American stand-up comedian/magician. His act is mostly composed of hi-jinks, interaction with one specific audience member, and a few legitimate magic tricks. Since 2001, he has been a year-round headliner in Las Vegas. Self-described as the “Freddy Krueger of Comedy”, Johnathan usually performs wearing his ever-present headband and his shows frequently use gore, such as pretending to suck on his own hanging eyeball, cutting his wrists, and skewering his own tongue. He is also good friends with fellow performer Criss Angel, and has helped Angel perform a variety of illusions, most notably during his three guest appearances on Mindfreak.

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Tony Orlando, Anthony Cools

December 15, 2016

Audio posted below except on Internet Explorer

Tony Orlando & Michele LaFong backstage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Orlando guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Tony brings his Christmas Show to The South Point Showroom Dec. 16-18 – 7:30pm

Tony Orlando brings to the stage a warmth and exhilarating energy that electrifies an audience. From million selling records (five number one hits), a popular television variety series, movies and Broadway (Barnum and Smokey Joe’s Café), Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business.

Through no plans of his own, Tony was coaxed into putting his voice on a demo record for a song titled “Candida” for his friends Hank Medress and Dave Appell at Bell Records. The record was released under the name of the record promotion director’s daughter, Dawn.

“I think it is really the rule of show business that every big break you get you back into it without knowing it at the time. A few weeks after recording ‘Candida’ I had forgotten all about it. And then Hank Medress calls me and says, ‘Hey man, we’ve got a hit!’ The crazy thing was the song kept climbing the charts till it hit number one,” says Orlando.

Hoping lightning would strike again, Medress had Orlando recorded “Knock Three Times.” The song not only became number one, it was the tip song of 1971 selling over six million copies worldwide. The immense popularity of the song is still evident today. Tony’s recording of the song was featured in the hit movie Now and Then.

Realizing it was probably safe to give up his successful career at CBS Records, Tony decided to jump full force into what was already a meteoric rise to the top. Along with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, Tony Orlando and Dawn became an international sensation.

Amazingly enough, Tony hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his stardom. In 1973 he recorded “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree.” The song was number one for the year, became Orlando’s theme song and grew into an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal.

More about Tony Orlando here–>

Reservations

Hypnotist – Anthony Cools

World-famous hypnotist Anthony Cools performs at Paris Las Vegas, using his skills for decidedly evil purposes, tapping into the carnal desires and subconscious naughtiness of his audience, shearing off all inhibitions.

Not only is Cools the only hypnotist playing in a casino on the Las Vegas Strip, his show is the longest-running hypnotist show in Las Vegas history, and the longest-running show at Paris Las Vegas.

Signature stunts in his hilarious and interactive 90-minute show include handshakes that induce vocal, sexual responses, as well as several other tricks so shocking, we can’t even print them.

More about Anthony Cools here–>

You can catch Anthony Cools headlines at Paris Las Vegas.
Anthony Cools Showroom, Nightly 9:00pm, Dark Mon & Wed

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Gary Puckett, The Amazing Johnathan

May 19, 2016

 Audio of interviews are posted below

Gary Puckett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary Puckett and The Amazing Johnathan guest on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.

Gary Puckett performs at The South Point Showroom May 20-22 at 7:30pm.

GARY PUCKETT and the UNION GAP was one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties. Gary’s unmistakable signature voice garnered six consecutive gold records and top ten Billboard hits. GARY PUCKETT has performed on more than thirty network television shows and prime time specials during his career, even adding a command performance for the President and Prince Charles at the White House. The Union Gap disbanded in the seventies. In 1974, “Young Girl” was reissued in England where it received a silver record award for attaining a top five position on the pop charts, several years after its initial release.

Gary continues to tour nationally & internationally, has a new album out now, “GARY PUCKETT – LIVE”, and has recently released his first ever Chrismas CD, entitled “At Christmas”.

The Amazing Johnathan

The Amazing Johnathan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Amazing Johnathan returns to Las Vegas Backstage Talk with Comedian Michele LaFong.  (Repeat)

The Amazing Johnathan, is an American stand-up comedian/magician. His act is mostly composed of hi-jinks, interaction with one specific audience member, and a few legitimate magic tricks. Since 2001, he has been a year-round headliner in Las Vegas. Self-described as the “Freddy Krueger of Comedy”, Johnathan usually performs wearing his ever-present headband and his shows frequently use gore, such as pretending to suck on his own hanging eyeball, cutting his wrists, and skewering his own tongue. He is also good friends with fellow performer Criss Angel, and has helped Angel perform a variety of illusions, most notably during his three guest appearances on Mindfreak.

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Tom Papa, Tony Butala

March 24, 2015

Audio of shows posted below

Tom Papa

Comedy veteran, actor, writer and television and radio host Tom Papa guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong.

After touring with Jerry Seinfeld for several years, Seinfeld personally selected Papa to be the host of The Marriage Ref, which ran for two seasons on NBC. In 2013, Papa portrayed Ray Arnett in Steven Soderbergh’s Emmy Award-winning HBO film Behind the Candelabra. He also appeared on Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer, The New Adventures of Old Christine and with Clive Owen this season on The Knick.

On the big screen, he has made appearances in movies such as Analyze That with Robert DeNiro and Billy Crystal, Comedian with Jerry Seinfeld and alongside Matt Damon in The Informant! He also provided voices and worked as a writer on 2007’s Bee Movie.

Papa’s first hour-long special, Tom Papa Live in New York City, premiered on Comedy Central in January 2012. His Rob Zombie-directed second stand-up special, Tom Papa: Freaked Out, was named one of the 10 Best Comedy Albums of 2013 by Laughspin.com. His hit SiriusXM show, Come to Papa, airs weekly on channel 99.

Tony Butala- Original founding member of The Lettermen

The Lettermen Color Photo 2013The Letterman

 

Tony Butala, Original founding member of The Lettermen guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote The Lettermen’s  upcoming engagement at The South Point Showroom on March 25-27 at 7:30pm.

Butala estimates that the group made some 200 appearances on television shows such as Dick
Clark’s “American Bandstand” series, “Shindig”, and “Hullabaloo” were interviewed and
performed on talk shows and variety shows with Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin,
Jack Paar, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, Dinah Shore, and many others throughout the 60’s and 70’s,
cultivating new crops of fans.

Over its 50 years, the trio has gone through a few personnel changes. Engemann left in 1967,
replaced by Gary Pike, Jim Pike’s younger brother. A few years later, due to vocal problems,
Jim left the group and was replaced by his even younger brother, Donny Pike. The group stayed
stable, with this combination all through the seventies and early eighties led by the constant
member Tony Butala. Since then, Mark Preston, Ernie Pontiere, Bobby Poynton, Darren Dowler,
Don Campeau, Chad Nichols and Donovan Tea, have each had stints as members of The
Lettermen.

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Mick Foley, “The Reverend” Bob Levy

Jan. 28, 2016

Audio of interviews are posted below

mick foley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mick Foley, legendary professional wrestler, turned multi best-selling author, turned stand-up comic, “spoken word performer,” guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, together with “The Reverend” Bob Levy, to promote their upcoming dates at The South Point Showroom Feb 5 & 6 at 7:30pm.

One of the cornerstones of WWE’s meteoric rise in the late 90’s, Mick Foley earned the nickname ‘The Hardcore Legend’ for his ability to absorb seemingly inhuman punishment in some of the most dramatic matches in sports-entertainment history. Already a respected veteran for his 11 physically punishing years wrestling under the name Cactus Jack, Foley’s career soared to new heights in WWE as ‘Mankind’, a character Foley claimed was inspired by a combination of reading ‘Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein’ and listening to the music of Tori Amos.

As Cactus Jack, Foley won the 1995 ‘King of the Deathmatch’ tournament in Yokohama, Japan, and continued wrestling, despite the amputation of his right ear, in a match against Vader in Munich, Germany in 1994. As Mankind, Foley was a 3-time WWE Champion, but is best known for his epic and brutal battle with The Undertaker in 1998’s ‘Hell in a Cell’ match, during which he was knocked unconscious after falls both off of and through the 16 foot Cell structure. Despite the injury, Foley finished the match – with one of his front teeth lodged in his nose.

With retirement looming as a result of that physically demanding style, Foley penned his own memoir, ‘Have a Nice Day’ without the aid of a ghost-writer – writing 200,000 words in longhand in 50 days. The book showcased Foley’s paradoxical blend of wit and wisdom, wildness and warmth, and shocked the literary world by hitting number one on The New York Times best-seller list in October, 1999. The book remained on the Times list for twenty six weeks. A follow-up, 2001’s ‘Foley is Good’ hit number one on The New York Times list as well. Foley has published a total of ten books; four memoirs, four children’s books and two novels.

After speaking at some of the United Stated most respected colleges and universities – including MIT, Syracuse University, Notre Dame and The University of Miami, Foley decided to take his verbal skills to the stand-up comedy stage in 2009. 2012 saw Foley earn rave reviews for his comedy sets at ‘Just for Laughs’ in Montreal, and the ‘Edinburgh (UK) Fringe Fest’ – the two largest comedy festivals in the world. He is currently represented by Innovative Artists.

Foley’s acting credentials include ’30 Rock’, ‘Warren the Ape’, Now and Again’, ‘G vs E’ and ‘Boy Meets World’ and he was featured in the critically acclaimed documentary ‘Beyond the Mat’ He has done voice work on ‘Squidbillies’ ‘Celebrity Death Match’ and ‘Avatar: the Last Airbender’ and was featured in a 2012 episode of ‘Celebrity Wife Swap’. His list of guest appearances include ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, ‘The Late Show with Jay Leno’, ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’, ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, ‘Good Morning America’, ‘Family Feud’ ‘Redeye’, ‘Larry King Live’ and several appearances on ‘Today’.

He was featured in a 2010 story on ‘ABC’s World News Tonight’ for his work as an online volunteer with RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization. Foley was also recognized for his work with RAINN at 2010’s ‘Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear’ – where he was awarded a Medal of Reasonableness’ from Jon Stewart.

Foley lives with his wife and four children on Long Island. His latest book, ‘A Most Mizerable Christmas’ will be published in October, 2012 by DK Books. The Foley’s have sponsored children with Child-Fund International for twenty years.

“The Reverend” Bob Levy

boblevy5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Reverend” Bob Levy guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong, to promote his upcoming dates at The South Point Showroom on Feb. 5 & 6 with Mick Foley.

Levy is a stand-up comedian, radio personality and former wrestler who is best known as being a regular personality on The Howard Stern Show as well as being the co-host of the Miserable Men show on Howard 101. He has often been the host of comedy roasts, is a frequent guest on the Opie and Anthony Show and was a stand-up comedy performer on the Killers of Comedy tour.

Bob was raised on Great Kills, Staten Island. Before his career as a comedian, Levy worked as a landscaper, a painter and a wrestler at the semi-professional level under the name “Heartbreaker” Bobby Slayer.

During Levy’s early days in comedy, former Stern show writer Jackie Martling awarded Levy the title “Reverend.” When asked why he was given the name in an article, Levy replied “…because I was a filthy fuckin’ pig, and he wanted to call me the opposite of what I was doing onstage…”.
Levy was heard daily on the Kidd Chris morning show on WYSP in Philadelphia as an on-air guest, until they were fired in May 2008. Levy also opened a weekend comedy club in Levittown, Pennsylvania and three other comedy clubs in Easton, Florida.

He hosted two radio shows. One was on WNJC 1360 AM in the Philadelphia area, ‘Rising with The Reverend Bob Levy’ (with co-hosts Will Bozarth and John Kensil). The other was on WUFC 1510 AM in the Boston area, ‘The Bob Levy Show’ (with co-host Joe Conte). Both stations have changed formats and no longer air the shows. Bob currently produces podcasts of his shows available on the Radio Misfits website.  He is in the upcoming film documentary “Whats a Podcast” that’s currently in pre-production.

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Tony Orlando

Dec. 17, 2015

Audio of interviews posted below (Scroll down)

Tony Orlando is Paco!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Orlando guests on Las Vegas Backstage Talk radio show with Comedian Michele LaFong to promote his annual Christmas Christmas Show at The South Point Showroom.

Tony Orlando brings to the stage a warmth and exhilarating energy that electrifies an audience. From million selling records (five number one hits), a popular television variety series, movies and Broadway (Barnum and Smokey Joe’s Café), Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business.

Through no plans of his own, Tony was coaxed into putting his voice on a demo record for a song titled “Candida” for his friends Hank Medress and Dave Appell at Bell Records. The record was released under the name of the record promotion director’s daughter, Dawn.

“I think it is really the rule of show business that every big break you get you back into it without knowing it at the time. A few weeks after recording ‘Candida’ I had forgotten all about it. And then Hank Medress calls me and says, ‘Hey man, we’ve got a hit!’ The crazy thing was the song kept climbing the charts till it hit number one,” says Orlando.

Hoping lightning would strike again, Medress had Orlando recorded “Knock Three Times.” The song not only became number one, it was the tip song of 1971 selling over six million copies worldwide. The immense popularity of the song is still evident today. Tony’s recording of the song was featured in the hit movie Now and Then.

Realizing it was probably safe to give up his successful career at CBS Records, Tony decided to jump full force into what was already a meteoric rise to the top. Along with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, Tony Orlando and Dawn became an international sensation.

Amazingly enough, Tony hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his stardom. In 1973 he recorded “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree.” The song was number one for the year, became Orlando’s theme song and grew into an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal.

More about Tony Orlando here–>

You can catch Tony Orlando headlining at South Point Showroom.
The Showroom at South Point, Dec. 17-20 at 7:30pm

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