Story and Photos by Pat Krause
Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, lit up the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa with an unforgettable performance on June 27th. The dinner show swapped traditional theater seating for candlelit tables, allowing fans to get closer than ever in this special “Wayne Newton: Up Close and Personal” experience. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a heartfelt journey through Newton’s legendary life and career, with the music serving as a soundtrack to his stories.
He performed a few of his most beloved hits, like “Steel Guitar Rag,” weaving them between candid stories and video clips from his early years. During “Help Me Make It,” he shared how he broke into show business full-time as a teenager, giving the audience a glimpse of the determination that launched his decades-long career.
A touching moment came as Newton played video clips of Jackie Gleason, who helped him land one of his first TV appearances. Another crowd-pleaser was a vintage clip from The Jack Benny Show, where Newton played multiple instruments before Benny humorously interrupted him—classic showbiz comedy that had the crowd laughing along.
Midway through the evening, he brought his wife on stage to ask fan-submitted questions. Newton answered with charm and wit, at one point recalling how he once gave a fan a lock of his hair instead of jewelry—after his wife lovingly patted his head in mock disapproval. He proudly noted he'd released over 156 albums, showcasing two of them while singing “Red Roses for a Blue Lady” and “Summer Wind.”
The show also paid tribute to Newton’s friendships with musical icons like Sinatra, Elvis, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., brought to life through nostalgic video clips. He joked about Sammy weighing “maybe 90 pounds soaking wet” and shared a treasured memory of singing with Glen Campbell for the Queen during a royal command performance.
Fans were amazed to learn Newton can play 13 instruments by ear. He demonstrated his skill live on guitar and violin, with videos showing even more of his musical versatility.
This wasn’t just a concert—it was a living scrapbook of memories, friends, and milestones. It was intimate, sincere, and filled with gratitude. As the show closed, Newton revealed the fan-question host was his wife of 38 years, sealing the moment with a kiss before performing a moving rendition of “My Way.”
As he exited the stage, nearly everyone rose for a standing ovation, honoring not just a legendary showman, but the life and music of a true American entertainer.
Pat Krause
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