Badda Bing Gentleman’s Club was the scene for my annual 70th birthday celebration, which turned out to be an exceptional evening. The media was out in full force and even with a few stutter steps, the party actually went off without a hitch. Rick Belcastro, owner of Badda Bing’s, gave me the keys to the Chapel of Lust as a birthday gift and I proceeded to perform the Chapel’s first wedding ceremony. Guests at Badda Bing’s are always amazed by this impressive location, and Rick takes great pride in making sure his guests are enjoying themselves. It’s a fabulous private party venue.

The Monti Rock III annual celebrations would never be possible without Great Buns Bakery that provides their signature cakes, Susan and Jerry Rispoli of JR’s Place on Durango for all the Italian goodies, and my own harem of ladies, including Marci, Debbie, Roxanne and Trish, who spent hours decorating and making preparations for the birthday festivities. I love you ladies! Special thanks also goes to Ed Foster and  Roy Scimeca wth their trusty little cameras.

Many of the guests were caught by surprise when they saw yours truly after my latest transformation. No, it wasn’t a Britney Spears meltdown, it was simply time for a change. So my stylist, Teresa Graves, and I went for the buzz cut with a white blond color. The look has created a much more sleek and elegant Monti Rock III.  Feel free to comment on this…

This week brings us the sad news about 3 show business stars . Dennis Hopper, Art Linkletter, and Gary Coleman passed away within days of one another.  Art, age 94 was the daddy of many TV game shows,  and Dennis, age 74, became a Hollywood “Bad Boy:”  early in his career. Over the years Dennis had become a talented actor and did may things to change that image.  At the time of his death, he had become highly respected by his peers. Gary Coleman, age  42, made it big as a child star in TV’s Diff’rent Strokes. After the demise of the show, Gary seemed to fail at his attempts to keep his stardom.  Ill health and emotional problems followed him throughout the rest of his sad life.  May they all rest in peace.

I’ve decided to address the Mob Museum downtown and how Monti Rock III has always been on the side, in some ways or another of those baby gangsters, the Lollipop Mafia. How lucky I’ve always been to have them in my corner. When I got to Vegas in the early ’60s, it was them who, with a handshake, got me the jobs. From Maurice Levy to Lillian Reese, the mob has always been a part of the show business dynasty from the days of Frank Sinatra. When the corporates came in, the mob just put on better suits. Those of us who were privileged to be around them knew they were good guys with slightly shady backgrounds.

Years ago when I arrived in Chicago to play some club dates, the  mob was the best to me. They knew I was the first of a kind of gay, seedy act. Now we have Russian mob, Asian mob, Israeli mob…it never goes away.

In the works are three mob museums – all about the history of  LV. But in reality, it’s the history of the world. I would like to remind my readers that Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Virginia Hill created the Flamingo in Las Vegas,  but it was Howard Hughes who brought ”corporate” into the mix. He and his Mormon Mafia.

Is there a Diva war going on between David Saxe and Tony Sacca? David has two theaters at Planet Hollywood in the Miracle Mile, and who by the way runs a very successful operation. Rumor has it that Tony is opening a new show downtown, and David will open a new show at Planet Hollywood. Each performer claims this show belongs to them, and now Tony is reportedly trying to push up his opening date ahead of David’s previously announced premiere.

Is downtown ready for a show starring Tony Sacca? The Fremont Experience does well on the weekends, as do some of the restaurants. The Golden Nugget has Gordie Brown but will bring in some other shows. PR/Marketing Director Justin McVay has just  signed to move to Golden Gaming. Seeing Justin at my party made me realize it was time to grow up.

The best man won on American Idol. Simon’s retirement from AI was heartfelt with Paula Abdul coming to the show to help bid farewell. By the way, Paula has been signed to a new TV series for the fall season.

There’s a movie coming out called Love Ranch. Joe Pesci (could this be a comeback role?) and Helen Mirren star as characters based on Joe and Sally Conforte, owners of Nevada’s first licensed brothel, Mustang Ranch. The film is a fictionalized version of the infamous love triangle of Joe, Sally and pro boxer Oscar Bonavena. The fighter was murdered in 1976. Congrats to John Bentham for Marriage Can Be Murder, the dinner show at Fitzgeralds and Cavemen at Excalibur.

The Holly Madison reality show/peep show on E! Entertainment Television seems to be picking up an audience.

Only You, a revival of the true dinner show, has opened at Hennessey’s Tavern on  Fremont St. This Motown-inspired show stars Derek David, a former member of The Platters, along with several other great singers from The Platters and The Marvelettes. For more information call 702-382-4421.

The Las Vegas Classic Jazz Band has ended an unprecedented 23-year engagement at The Gold Coast. We hope this group finds another venue in the very near future to keep this music alive.

Happy Anniversarty to Vinnie Favorito. He has just given his 3,000th performance in Las Vegas. We went to his special show last week at the Flamingo and as usual saw one of the funniest comics around do his stuff. Lorraine Hunt, Dennis Bono and a large contingency of the local and California press were in attendance, too. One thing for sure is that you leave his show exhausted from laughing. A private party followed the show. Vinnie is reportedly being considered for a TV sitcom.

As always, the Rev. Monti Rock III wishes you all a fabulous week!

Please direct all blog related correspondence to:   revmonti@yahoo.com

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