Variety (April 1964)

“Tooter Union Hits Back at Hotel Ops {TOP SHLARY LURE. (Webb Hotels to Form Talent Buying Tn Shuttering of Major ‘San Juan ns | |R&R ‘Cavaleade of Stars’. San. Juan,’ “April . *Abrahain‘Pena; American ‘Federation.of Musicians’ (Local 468) : | president,.; ‘expressed surprise that. -: his. union ‘is being “blamed for ‘a-|' ‘decision. to curtail. or. shut down four. or five club operations. in ‘San |: 3 “ Juan-. “hotels” during © the ‘ coming |_.. slack ‘season. -He‘described the: ‘Te-: ... ports ‘as -planned. “to: discredit ‘mie * “personally and to-weaken the mem. bership” . for ‘upcoming © contract | negotiations. «Roberto | Bouret’, _ Puerto’ Rico “Hotel | Assn... executive .diréctor,. |. told the local press“four or five San: -. Juan Hotels will .either “curtail: or -. elése.down nightclubs. by April 15. ”: Bouret placed : the -blame on: ‘the | _ musicians’ union because. of: what | “an : ‘iron-clad.” Te-. a -Bouret‘termed . ~ quirement” to. maintain .a minimum a of :17° musiciaris in’ all. clubs . off a ClassA rated’ hotels:: ‘The . -Americana: and’ potiee ‘ae | Leon : hotels: already : have “closed their nightclubs, and-La Concha‘ is || on the ‘brink of ‘shutdown. Another |. : hotel, the Conado’ Beach,-indicated “its nitery. activities’ would be closed [ "two night’ a week: during the off-4 -. season: compared to: one’. night. oft oa during. the winter.. 7 “This cis. a ‘traditional weapon a 7 hotels, . “said Peria. ..: “They "say ~ ‘they’re going ‘to .cut’’ before: wage: ., ‘talks begin. He-asserted that ‘hotels: “are: ‘attempting to. put the: working’ " “musician . on ‘a seasonal basis. “We “(Continued on. page 78): : AGA Refuses Booker’ fe = “License to SalmaggiHe’ I -. Seek Producer’s Permit’ 7 Guido: Salmaggi, ‘now.a resident : a ot? Honolulu; capital. of . America’s 4. island, staté, does -not foresee him| ‘self unable: to function® because’ of: “the denial of his application: for ene |: '." franchisement as:a‘ booker by ‘the j :. American Guild of Variety. Artists. '.. -He learned.of the union’ Srejection’. . after leaving New York. : : AGVA invoked.aii old: ‘ruling tiat } : no. talent. ‘booker: connected. with. an” advertising’: agency’. may “be: 2 Jieensed. “An. ‘apparent . fear that’ -_ Salmaggi would. collect. .¢ommis gions for hiring. talent’ for the ad _': shop: lies behind ‘the ruling: .. _ | +,.Salmaggi makes his. headquarters: > ‘in: the Honolulu offices of The Advertising © Agency:: ‘The letterhead ‘thereof -identifies him |: --as director of ‘the: Theatrical ‘Pro4: ‘Milici *: “motion: Dept... Salmaggi said that the agency would “handle. his .ad| : ‘vertising:. on theatrical. ventures, ne not. ‘the. other. way round. ". However,’ ‘per: suggestions. made Ln, him, -Salmagei‘will apply :to. AGVA | for a producer’s’.franchise-since. this .will be his~ essential ’ role -in:{ promoting big name. one-nighters. vt, in the. Hawaiian city.. Additionally | he is--contemplating.. straight con-: certs. which: would. come ‘under: the ...jurisdiction -of’ the American Guild’ *.Of. Musical: -Artists: ‘He reports: him| . self'a member of good: standing in‘}. _ the International Assn. of. Concert. a ., Managers. oy . Salmaggiis: ‘due: ‘again’ in: ‘New. : York next month when he: will-re| ‘ eeive an. award:-at. Carnegie Hall . “on ‘May 23 ‘from: the: Federation of | .: Italian-American. | “Democratic. Or-} =. ganizations..-This is: an: -echo. ‘of ‘his | . . 10. years: at Brooklyn’s ‘Academy ‘of. “~ Music in: ‘presenting ‘weekend grand. _ Opera, . prior. to ‘moving to” Hawaii: “with ‘his:.family.: “His brother, Felix | April“16. with Lloyd. .Price’..as .| headliner. . ‘The Birdland, currently | -. "Lon: ja: weekends-only’ policy, . will: . change to.a full date ‘with: the. new . Show. / . Birdland: long was the one of the’ * Salmaggi; now. is impresario. of. the | eg Brooklyn Opera Co. ' 5006 Historical Project . Bow. in Myrtle. Beach’ |; “Myrtle. Beach,S.C:, “April. Te. A: $500. 000: historical’ ‘and enter= -tainment™ _project:. will open:: here <= Memorial Day’. weékend.’ It wil | ' -féature “a: ‘reconstructed. . ‘Indian ~ Village,. a‘Fepli¢a ‘of. the: ‘original. .: -FortCarolina, : re-enactment of .an attack’ on-the‘fort from 4.. ‘Spanish wo ‘ship: and’ other .attractionns.. | '. Backing the venture.-is -a. ‘group. of businessmen from, Anderson and. Greenwood, S. ce a ; committée _ over ‘his: firing: » _ Leaders. ‘of the. Pitt: branch, ‘fola a. “meeting “last. ‘week “at |]: AGVA -headquarters, ‘arranged: for. Solid $6, 064 in. ‘Winmpeg ae Winnipeg, April 7: oF “Cavalcade -of -Stars’’:. ‘grossed: $6,064: and drew ’3,022-rock’ 'n’: -roll ‘fans. to the Civic. Auditorium’ Tast Saturday (28), Capacity. is: 4,100: . Show, which-headlined Dion, and featured ‘the Ronettes. and’. Myron. Lee, surprised with ‘its. solid. take. Earlier in: the: week; the first of two performances scheduled on’. the. |: Saturday : Right, was: cancelled: with only. $150-in the ‘till: Boxoffice. was ‘expected : to -be--slow, .but “a: Heavy door ‘sale turned. loss to a profit. AY Promotion Was by” radio’. station CKY* and ‘Trans-Canada AttracHons... Navarro’ $ Firing “Pittsburgh, ‘Api: To “Nat. Nazario. Jr:, ‘Artists ‘ag “its héadhere. for * 25 “years “and::was. the . only’: ‘original executive’ member of: the union: at: ‘the time of’ his” ‘dismissal. ‘two: | weeks” ‘ago, is’. riow ‘in’ the’ middle: “showdown * fight between |over -400° imiembers of : the: Pitt]; \of, a: branch : and. the. ‘ational . interim lowing ‘all: members. to-file.a formal protest'-.of..: Nazarro’s ‘dismissal.: addition to AGVA_ iniembers, . other. labor. léaders . ‘burgh, | in’ the. -protest. ‘Nazarrohas. -always.| | It was -theinability: -of the first (1940... Litomy asked: Nazarro, a | promineiit show | biz. figure here at the time, -to ‘smooth out. :a ‘few’ ‘rough ‘spots inAGVA’S organizing attempts. and.’ when | Nazarro ‘did .the job, . ‘Litomy: turned ‘the whole. ‘deal: over. to: him. and. went back,” -}-contract® called ‘for“Beatty-Cole ‘Bros. to pay Pugh $520 weekly for'| -the’ girls’.‘services.: AGVA. scale’ inthis situation. is . $100 per-per|: former: Union. charged that. Pugh}: told ‘the girls. they. would: ‘get: $28. weekly, and. out of that. sum they. -were-to reimburse~.him : for: their : ‘but when the union. decided. to bar |: passage from England. ‘its = Teps : ‘from . ‘outsige ‘work, “he: “was paid: $50. ‘a wéek: Some. 23° to ‘New York.. Pitt. at ‘the time; a. few years after ‘as emcee for. over..a year at’ $2, 500 aweek. He vas. permitted. to. ‘con no salary connected: with the’}6b years.” later, his. Salary had.. gone for : expenses. :’ . Continued. On! page. 76y han Flies Birdland, N 1 “After hany “years “OD, a-:: Jazz under | ‘the. -new:. ‘blueprint ‘goes: in most™ successful: jazz. rooms in New. York. |The.’ -progressive™ jazzsters | ~ -made ‘it ahayén’ for a-youthful set | ; "of: cniterygoers, : ‘most.. of‘ whom’ sat: “in: the. gallery where. ‘they’ could: ing. anything. -:". : Birdland, of late; has been handi-: “capped” because. of the: failure Of. ‘| new names ‘to cone along in ‘the jazz. firmament,. and.-due : to” -ins‘creased. competition. from. Green| wich: n’ Village. spots, eae 1‘ereasingly _veering -outside ‘ ‘Stirs Pitt Protests | AGVA, US. Dept. Foil Scale-Cutting In: -who., ,have ¢. “been | ‘friends of: Nazarro since he took]. over :as. ‘manager: of Local. 7, Pitts= |. in ..1940,. are: ‘also’ joining | ~ been active in trade union. affairs | in. Pitt and. is adelegate to: the |: Allegheny. County ‘Labor:: Council: ‘AGVA ° ‘executive’ “Seeretary: : here, ‘Les Litomy, : tO get. along with.|’ “other © labor.. heads that: _brought |" "Nazarro into: the’ picture -here: in. ‘Nazarro was. a club. date’ “act. in: ‘he. worked‘ at. ‘the: Penn Theatre | tinue: working. ‘because . there was’ to. $100: a. week: with, an extra: $25 | National: ‘interim: ccominittee Te ~~ Shifting toRevue Policy ‘Abbe May: Fulfil Dates ABC Booked ‘With: aéal “Green Leaves” 1 their. return to: Japan for 10 days: of,-bookings in Tokyo and other |-cities. from: May 23 until. June: 10. The freres played: ‘Japan once’ be-{ ‘fore. in‘April,. 762. Mort: Lewis. of | policy, New “York's: Birdland: «will |: shift ‘to a-revue format. First. show -new.act on:his own. He’s combined -with Dorothy ‘Dandridge. and bongo: player. ‘Candido: for..a: turn. which | the Masonic... Temple, Windsor, . a 1D. IN AREESEATAS| Combine With Vegas Tah | Gealls Rolls 2d Hellenic” "Major: ‘heailliriers ‘activity. is: in‘the major ‘cities. and into. the ‘suburbs. While’ New. York :City nightclubs, ae ‘olitside. of hotels, -face:. a: name| | blackout, the: suburban: spots ‘with ‘their huge : ‘capacity and -Kingsizéd parking .lots are “able ‘to . snag an ever-mounting:. ‘supply : of “.names. “| The latest to enter the-namie. buying sweepstakes in the’ New -York area] a ‘is. the San -Su San, Mineola, L. -1L,; which..is. throwing. out offers up: to $15, 000 for top talent. ‘spot ‘is: one. of. the: highest salary ‘dispensers ‘in the: country outside of Las: Vegas. -portedly. drawing about. $10,000. for 10: days, at that stte.:In addition, the on the bill ‘with, him: : Thereare.’ other:“e'yex More Raids Hi Raids Hit spot that will require’ a-lot.of bank|‘rolling. Buddy Greco is paired with |. Ronnie. Martin -and Billy~ Eckstine |" ‘is. coupled: with: _Nipsey: Russell,: all}... ‘of whont comprise: among. the most |” expensive* “eards in. the: ‘New York “who ‘had served | that havebeen set at:the Mineola. the. . American Guild ‘of Variety. area. Most: major. headliners, also. Ww ork: ‘ing .in television: and/or filmis;’ are. f{ now: -éonfining’ ‘their nitery. dates’ to fas. _ Vegas, . ‘Lake: ‘Tahoe, Miami (Continued: om page’ 78) being: imported into. the. U.S, to work | under established *. ~ union scales.” “Eight | girl, accor ding. ‘to “AGVA, were brought. to. the U.S. Nia: Florida. ‘to--work in the. Clyde}. ‘Circus .through:: Beatty-Cole’. Bros.. eontractor : ‘Digger ‘Pugha -British “subject, : AGVA contends ‘that: the original .for which. ‘they . were: imported. _An -other ‘was. deported last week .after:|° being:. nabbed as: . ‘AGVA ‘then intervened -and. 4: _| ordered _.the | circus . ‘topay. union | a. shoplifter. ‘seale for the remaining | ‘performers. -It also: got the Immigration. Service. ‘| to ‘help. end. this. scale-cutting prac-. | tice: -byworking. withthe “union. in. cases: of’ this. nature; ° _, Banidleader: Xavier Cugat. ‘and : singer. ‘Abbe Lane having. separated maritally ‘and probably professionally,.. indications. are«that ‘the dates ‘booked. for the duo ‘by Joe: Glaser’ Ss ‘Associated: Booking. ‘Corp. “may. -be ‘shifted:..to. Miss “Laneas. a ‘single., \Li be ace Smash $21: h $21 50 -| Liperace -Smas The ‘team. has . been’. booked . to Te a $ 0." reopen. the séason _ at-.the-Hotel.| Plaza’s. Persian. Room, ONLY:: “Sept. | .9. Inn ot: et. ‘Deen: a rised. view: the proceedings without cbuy-. : has, not. yé PP Nothing. is definite yet. of: disposition, “of. the -date. -Meanwhile, : Cugie . is | testing” a breaks: in. -at. the ElmwoodCasino, , Ont, This. amount ‘is. on ‘par with. the ‘deals. -pacted “by.’.the.?:Town.. &{Country. Club, : -Brooklyn, but: “under: those. shelled . ‘out by:. ‘the ..Latin: : ‘Casino; Cherry. Hill, N.-J. The latter. -chestra,. ‘Sari Su San has ‘booked: Pat. Henry | clubs.” Thursday. (2), persons ~ in 10 ‘striptease’ “spots. 1 patronage . fram. ah Fest April 21 in. Gotham James: Geallis. whose eredits in clude produttion .of a number. of: ‘low-budget. feature films,’ ‘peating his lastspring venture in concert : -management.. ‘He'll. -unveil second _. arinual Hellenic-Neat East ‘Music. Festival April‘ -21. at Philharmonic Hall, N.Y. Greece, ‘Lebanon, . Syria _ and “Armenia” will provide . talent, Ethnic. ‘components ‘are ‘purpose| .ful, ‘in ‘order to: dispose-of tickets to the foreign ‘colonies around New:| York. and. ‘Chicago, :the.. two -prin cipal: ‘stands;:-He. -proposes. to. -tour ‘his company to-‘campus and other: | The San Su: San’ Féportedly: ‘og. | Sates, as yet unbooked. * : fered: ‘$15,000. to. Johnny: . Mathis,.[ -|who turned down. the date. -The ‘4 bills thatthe spot ‘has been booking: \ are -fairly.-high, Jerry Vale: is .re ‘Gournaris, Buddy Sarkissian -.Or-EddieKochark, Wekki. Obadia,. Belcanto Trio; ‘Kakraman, George Stratis, ° Others: | a ill bei added. ot ON 0. Stripers New. Orleans, April 7. is re-. ‘Linéd up for the unit are Nicos: oe as Starters Las. Vegas, April VA ‘The first talent buying combine : ‘between: Las. ‘Vegas and: Lake Tahoe: is ‘now’ being formulated. The Sahara Hotel here. willte | paired. with the new Sahara-Tahoe now . ‘being: ‘built: by the SaharaNevada © Corp.,. a. Del E. Webb “Corp... subsidiary, In addition, it’s. anticipated . that ‘the .huge buying. power of these hotels will be aug© mented. by. :an. expanded. talent. -poliey:. at: the: corporation’s down-. town: Mint, which is. m-pping a '22story’ highrise : building to be Started: shortly... The Tahoe operation is* expect= ed. to. open: in June of .next: year. 147 floors with. the main nitery’: room séating iabcut £39 and the lounge ‘having. a a capre’ iv. of. -near-— ‘Lly..500." In. additien to the Sahara, | which -is'in the name rwcepstakes. in Vegas, the buyint puwer of this“ | combine is. expecied ig be. enor-. j mous. Net fisurin’, ia. tesa ‘eal; culations is the .irr1’s sister Phoe‘nix Towne House, cr renily. under construction, which will be [opened next “vear: yith compara| tively. modestly. basscted. enter|taingent: The expansion cf the’ “Webb ‘hotel. holdings is g-"ng on: ‘under: -. direction of ‘A. A. ?cCollum, ~. president. of the Sah-ra-Nevada. Corp., who -succesded iilten Prell lin. that post when latter moved. Up. "Police. -continued.. their erack-.: to, ‘board chairman. down. on: Bourbon... ‘Street: night-| arresting. 507 ‘ McCollum” painted out. that Vegas, particularly is attracting. ine. ‘easingly. Police. -Supt. ° “Joseph. ‘I... Giarusso. i wider orbiv.. He cited the ease of. “| Said’ legal. ‘steps. will ‘be™ ‘taken: to; ‘southern California "pmer. | put the clubs out of ‘businéss.: _|: Raided were the Sho-Bar, Blue a “Angel, 1 Den, : "Chez *. Paree,: -Papa’ Joe’s Ringside, Old: French} “Club; Gunga. ‘Circus _Club; “Flamingo .: Opera’ ‘House, ‘Hotsy.’ Totsy -* and. | wh'rh in ‘for-".. years .provided Les ‘Vegas’ -With:.75%% :of its patrona‘e.. Today, that area provides -oniv 65% of the ‘visitors. coming to the resert. But. because of California’s phenomenal. ‘growth, he added, there Freida’s Parisienne: Those arrested. are more: tourists from: the. Los — permits. ie ‘included:’ ‘dancers, ‘barmaids, -bar-. ‘Angeles | area today. |.tenders and. the: “holders of liquor {. Part. ‘of... the Nevada ‘growth, ‘McCollum . Said, stems from the It'll. be a .’8£0-raom structure on . Scheme i in Circus | “The: “American ‘Guild. of “Variety “Artists and: the: U.S: Immigration. Service have ‘tripped | uD a: scheme whereby : ‘circus; _petformers: were |‘Guys’ and -Dolis ‘strippery was ‘pad— safe to..assume that they'll draw. “stripping | is... finished. in. Orleans.” -They_ ‘pointed: ‘out. that | hara. of ‘date here. (dancing. when ‘they reopen. ‘At. the . outset. one of: the‘girts | pine anc a refused to..work on.:the Webbing Brothers F our r Playing . Giarusso . ‘said’ police. ‘made. an | phenomenal ‘selling to huge or“in-depth” ‘investigation . of: ‘the ganizations. : ‘Las Vegas, he noted, “ clubs which he stated were victim| is: selling. conventions io. an ever izing. patrons: and. perpetrating sex. | widening. aréa, and once the: su crimés, i per-jets now ‘on. the drawing 7 A -few ‘days before ‘the. raids, the | boards become a ‘reality, it’s fairly locked: for. one -year ‘under ‘orders | visitors from ~ ‘Europe. and other. issued by Civil’: District Court} ‘Parts. of. the ‘world: as well. Judge Fred J, Cassibry: : {:) One -of ‘the -factors contributing: ‘On. the” ‘heels. of: ‘Thursday’ s{to. the tourism. rise in. Nevada -is. ‘yaids;-twoBourbon: Street nitery-| the ability: of. the resort to: handle proprietors. said they have: elimi ehildren. The Easter schoal: holi-~ nated . ‘striptease: shows “because| days has. been attracting the fam‘New | ily. trade, particularly at the ‘SaFor.’ that reason, its not changing ‘times “and. the district |.likely_ that the Sahara will-turn to | attorriey.. have’: made. stripping out | a nude. policy. since the faniily: trade ‘is. to. ‘important to. it. : Northeast England, Once ~A Vaude Stronghold, New -Flourishing With Cafe Acts a Ni tleT _ April 7. _ ‘The Global Jet Circuit | _ Cabaret eet feril new. ‘vogue. .as-niteries and restaurant ‘Jet’ age | show: ‘business. permits: ‘floorshows boom in this. northeast: The clubs are. ‘Poodle’ s Patio and Madama Francine’s. ‘They will. close .for : about a “week: for remodeling and: will offer bands and. ‘such : jumps. as the Brothers Four) England’ area, formerly. a strong° closing: in. Tokyo" June 10 and. being. hold. of vaude. Leelling. in London. June 13. for: réhearsals }-. -of: the hew -BBC-TVcommercial. network. “From. England: the. folksters go. to Sweden and other Euro-: ‘| pean” -bookings ‘weeks, for four-to-six’ Their. click. “Green: Fields” and disks ‘sparked’ ITA is. handling | them. ~In 2. East: One-N ighters.| __ Liberace séored heavily. jn:.two.| Cabaret. -Room._ -eastern ‘concerts . last .:.week.-His |:Hotel.: ‘date -at' the Durfee: Tlieatre, ‘Fall | ‘River,. ‘last Wednesday: (1) resulted. ina record one-day gross of. $12, ; Tieved ‘due fo a new yen for live 600. Top was $6... Amid a store of: nightelabs and restaurants. ‘now . featuring live ‘talent, ° mainly * warblers, are two ‘prominent ones, La Dolce. Vita and ‘The .Blue Parrot: La’ Dolce Vita “| has. bid. for Buddy. Greco for a six. ‘night ‘appearance at a salary of. | $6,000, .and. the Blue Parrot res=. taurant ‘is. billing . name acts like’. Shirley Bassey: Clubs .in ‘the. Neweastle-on-Tyne city. area iriclude Alhambra’s OldTyme Music Hall, The Cavendish, “1 Club A’Gogo,. Club: 69, Emerson's, =: Flamingo, . ; Lido Continental ‘and a 7 * | Michael's. .. The mining . town of Ashington; in: Northumberland, .features the itsPortland... ‘Local and ‘London acts are... ‘booked, . and the room has a resident line of. “dancers, Current: boom. in hiteries is bes. ‘Liberace. also ‘did ‘excellently: “at acts following a surfeit of.tv, plus -Seranton, | a natural followup to the: void Starting. “Monday, “Friday ; (3) with: $8, 900° at a. $5: ‘caused: by ‘the: shuttering of local ; vauderies. : |