Mike's Experience Include: Riviera Hotel Casino Resort, Las Vegas, NV., Assistant Entertainment Dire

A brief recap: In December 1984, After Sam Distefano left Atlantic City and relocated to Las Vegas to begin his position as Vice President of Entertainment and Special Events at The Riviera Hotel Casino, owned by conglomerate billionaire Meshulam Riklis. During Sam s tenure at the Rivera, he succeeded in booking top-name performers that include Paul Anka, Milton Berle, George Burns, Bob Hope, Liza Minnelli and co-produced many production shows including An Evening at LaCage - "An Evening at the Improv" - the sexy "Crazy Girls" revue. In addition, Sam hosted the debut and associated produced the multi-million production hilton head hotels SPLASH a show that has been wowing audiences with its showcase of sexy showgirls, dynamic dancers, motorcycle stuntmen, and an ever-changing line-up of top specialty acts on The Las Vegas Strip, since 1985. Sam also secured hilton head hotels a major two-year exclusive contract with Frank Sinatra in the year of 1990.
On various occasions, I had the opportunity to visit Sam in Las Vegas during that time. Then for a period, hilton head hotels many transitions occurred in my business career and I had lost all contact with Sam since his retirement from his position hilton head hotels at the Riviera Hotel until present.
Recently I was fortunate to receive an email link from one of my associates who knew of my unsuccessful search for Sam. The email link directed hilton head hotels me to Mike Distefano; this was Sam s son who I had met as a young man; coming to Atlantic City and visiting hilton head hotels his dad . . . during the time Sam was at The Playboy Hotel Casino in the 1980s. I immediately contacted Mike and discovered that his dad Sam has retired and they both live in Las Vegas. Since I have not seen Mike for a long time I discovered that, he has worked with various Jazz musicians vocalist as a pianist and drummer including jazz trombonist Carl Fontana, vocalist Sarah Vaughan, and others including George Gaffney, Carol Novak, Gary Novak, Bill Acosta, Mike Barnett, Eddie DeHaas, Cleveland Eaton, and the Sam Distefano Trio.
Mike's Experience Include: Riviera Hotel Casino Resort, Las Vegas, NV., Assistant Entertainment Director/Musician, hilton head hotels September 1984-March 1992 - Booked many specialty acts and lounge hilton head hotels performers into the Versailles Theater and LeBistro Lounge. - Oversaw, managed, and directed headlining performer relations and personal valets for numerous performers including Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, George Burns, Norm Crosby, Jay Leno, etc. - Managed office duties (typed contracts, improved order processing and filing systems in the entertainment department). - Assisted in management of physical logistics in showrooms - acted as Personal Assistant to the Vice-President of Entertainment. - House Cocktail Pianist! (Gourmet Dinner Buffet, Kristofer's Restaurant, 'Top of the Riv' private hilton head hotels functions, Riviera Wedding Chapel)
tagged Atlantic City , Carl Fontana , Entertainment Manager , Hotel Restaurant Consultant , Hugh Hefner , Jazz , Lake Geneva Playboy , Las Vegas Casinos , Playboy hilton head hotels Clubs , Sam Distefano , Sarah Vaughan , The Riviera Casino | in Friends & Colleagues , Memoriable Moments