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1975 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
First Show
Key Musicians: Gene Cherico (bass), Al Viola (guitar), Irv Cottler (drums),
Charlie Turner (trumpet), Bill Miller (piano), Charles Shoemaker (vibes), Pat
Rizzo (alto sax), Nino Tempo (tenor sax), Francisco Aquabella(bongos).
Nat Brandwynne Orchestra Conducted By: Don Costa
Opening Act: Sam Butera & The Witnesses featuring Sandy Williams.
note: Frank' played two weeks at Caesars, closing on 4-2-75The title of the
engagement was "A Man And His Music."A 61 piece orchestra backed Frank. His
show opened witha jazz sextet supporting him, then a large string section
backed him on some ballads, then a brass section and then all threesections
came together. Frank liked to do one show a nightduring the week and two shows
on weekends. But for the first time ever, he did two shows every night. Las
VegasSun reported that Frank, Elvis and Dino were being paid $250,000 a week (
today that would be $1,477, 518.00 ).A new record was set when Caesars asked a
cover of $40.00 for Frank's dinner show and #35.00 for the lateshow. In the mid
1950s, you could see Sinatra for lessthan $4.00. Even the veterans on the Vegas
Strip wereamazed at Sinatra's drawing power. Local papers feltthe cover charge
to see the big names was out of control.They questioned whether people would
continue to paysuch outlandish prices.Ed
