May
15,
2011
On
July
21,
1966
Barbra
appeared
at
the
Sahara
Hotel
in
Las
Vegas.
It
was
a
private
event
for
sales
executives
of
Columbia
Records.
In
recent
times,
The
Sahara
became
a
victim
of
both
the
changing
dynamic
of
Las
Vegas
and
the
economy.
On
May
16,
the
Sahara
will
close
its
doors
for
good.
According
to
our
friends
at
Barbra-Archives,
not
only
did
Barbra
make
an
appearance at the Sahara's Columbia Records convention,
but
she
also
performed:
"Columbia's
president,
Goddard
Lieberson,
appeared
on
stage
...
and
introduced
the
next
performer—not
by
name,
but
by
catalog
number:
CS
9278,
Color
Me
Barbra. Barbra
Streisand
walked
on
stage
and
sang
a
few
numbers
from
the
album."
The Sahara was one of the last bastions of the golden age of Las Vegas, managing to hang on through the a pivotal time in Vegas history that saw the emergence of the mega-monstrosities like the MGM Grand and The Bellagio.
In it's day, The Sahara was literally THE place to see and be seen. It opened in 1952 and was a favorite venue for such performers like Don Rickles, Johnny Carson, Ann-Margret, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
To get a feel for what life must have been like on the Vegas Strip during the 1960's, be sure to rent the original "Ocean's 11" movie starring Sinatra.
