|
The Riviera and Harrahs
The Riviera
1963
 Barbra's
first Las Vegas engagement, and her first big break as a Vegas
entertainer came about when Liberace invited her to open his shows at
the Riviera Hotel for four weeks between July 2 and August 4, 1963.
Amazing as it may seem today, Barbra was billed at the time as an
"extra added attraction." During the engagement, Barbra apparently
insisted on working alone. So if this was indeed the case, Liberace
never had the opportunity to accompany Barbra on the piano.
Barbra's contract with the Riviera provided her with a weekly salary
of $5,000. Her contract also required that she give a specific number
of performances. When her initial 1963 engagement came to a close,
Barbra still owed the hotel a few more shows. The Riviera had to wait
until the fall of 1970 for Barbra to return and fulfill her remaining
contractual obligation. It's not clear if Barbra was offered more than
her 1963 salary for her return engagement as a solo headliner in 1970.
|
Barbra's vibe is
still going strong at the Riviera in the form of a lounge show
called Barbra and Frank - The Concert That Never Was.
Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo take the stage five nights a
week as Barbra and Frank in one of the best impersonation acts
you're likely to find anywhere in Vegas.
For information, visit the
Barbra and
Frank - The Concert That Never Was
web site. |
Harrahs
Lake Tahoe 1963
 Once
their engagement at The Riviera in Las Vegas had come to an end,
Barbra and Liberace took their show on the road. They headed up to
Lake Tahoe for three weeks of performances between September 9 and
September 22, 1963 with Barbra still carrying the distinction of being
the "extra added attraction."
Barbra's first week in
Lake Tahoe was quite eventful. On Monday, September 9, she gave her
first show at Harrah's. Four days later, on Friday the 13th,
Barbra was off to Carson City for an intimate occasion, her marriage
to Elliott Gould. Unless she was given the night off, the short 30
minute drive back to Lake Tahoe would have allowed Barbra plenty of
time to make her 8:15 show.
The
Riviera 1970
 By
1970, Barbra's billing as the "extra added attraction" was but a
distant memory. She had achieved "superstar" status in the world of
show business, but still had that early career contract to fulfill
with The Riviera. So in 1970, she returned for two weeks of shows
between November 27 and December 10, this time as the biggest
headliner in Vegas. The Eddie Kendricks Singers provided back-up
vocals as Barbra wowed her nightly audiences with a whole new set of
songs - ranging from early ballads to her more recent rock and roll
hits.
Of her final
engagement at the Riviera, Variety wrote:
"The voice is in perfect shape, taking her on some of the most
difficult
tune trips imaginable, but there's never a slip, crack or falter."
|
Here
is a sample of Barbra's song set at the Riviera in 1970: |
Somebody Come
And Play
I've Never Been A Woman Before
Don't Rain On My Parade
My Man
Monologue - Facing Fears
Let Me Go
No Easy Way Down
I Don't Know Where I Stand
When The Sun Comes Out |
On A Clear
Day You Can See Forever
Second Hand Rose
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
Some Of These Days
Somebody Come And Play (Reprise)
Someone To Watch Over Me
Monologue - Band Introductions
Stoney End
Happy Days Are Here Again / Oh Happy Day |
|
|