The world needs more characters. Almost anyone can sing or dance, but few are worthy of catchy nicknames such as the Midnight Idol, Mr. Las Vegas or the Sultan of Glitz. Even fewer get the main road to Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport named after them. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Wayne Newton.
Hometown boy Newton (he was born in Norfolk, Virginia) returns to the Birchmere Music Hall on June 12th for a 7:30 PM show. You can bet your bottom dollar, it will be sold out; so be sure to buy your tickets early. Tickets go on sale today at noon at Ticketmaster.com (click here to purchase.)
Nobody puts on a show like Newton. Perhaps best known for his hits "Danke Schoen" and "Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast" (which rose to #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100) the 70 year-young Mr. Entertainer has the unique ability to hold an audience captive until he's ready to let go. I was lucky enough to see him perform live twice (once from a distance at a July 4th celebration on the Mall, and again during my first trip to Las Vegas back in the mid 90's.)
If you only know Newton from his stint on season 5 of Dancing with the Stars, allow me to recommend two courses of action. First, rent 1989's Licence to Kill on Netflix, where Newton stars as televangelist Joe Butcher (to get a good taste of Newton in his prime.) Second, buy your tickets to see him live June 12th at the Birchmere. You won't regret it.
