That Old Black Magic: Louis Prima, Keely Smith, and the Golden Age of Las Vegas
Nov 2010 · Chicago Review Press
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224
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About this ebook
In 1948, New Orleans veteran trumpeter and singer Louis Prima stumbled into a young girl named Keely Smith. She was barely a performer at all, almost half his age, destined for a relatively quiet life; their encounter was pure coincidence. But they went on to invent "The Wildest," the most exciting and successful lounge act Las Vegas has ever seen, an act that became one of the hottest in the U.S. in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Their records were hugely popular, and they were courted by Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, Robert Mitchum, and other well-known entertainers of the day. Their professional success helped bring about the rise of Las Vegas as a mecca of American entertainment. Their love story ended soon after they helped usher in John F. Kennedy's presidency--singing "That Old Black Magic" for him at his inauguration--but their influence is still evident. And Keely still draws SRO audiences to her nightclub appearances.
Now, on the occasion of Louis Prima's 100th birthday, comes the first book on this duo, illustrating not only one of show business's greatest love stories but also the Vegas milieu in which they reached the pinnacle of their success.
In 1948, New Orleans veteran trumpeter and singer Louis Prima stumbled into a young girl named Keely Smith. She was barely a performer at all, almost half his age, destined for a relatively quiet life; their encounter was pure coincidence. But they went on to invent "The Wildest," the most exciti...
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About the author
Tom Clavin is a writer, an editor, and a journalist. He is the author of Dark Noon and Sir Walter and the coauthor of Halsey's Typhoon , The Last Stand of Fox Company, and Roger Maris. His articles have appeared in publications including Cosmopolitan, Family Circle, Men's Journal, Parade, and Reader's Digest. He is a former contributing reporter for the New York Times. He lives in East Hampton, New York.
Tom Clavin is a writer, an editor, and a journalist. He is the author of Dark Noon and Sir Walter and the coauthor of Halsey's Typhoon , The Last Stand of Fox Company, and Roger Maris. His articles have appeared in publications including Cosmopolitan, Family Circle, Men's Journal, Parade, and Rea...
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