Wayne Newton

Vegas Residency to Celebrate 65 Years

Wayne Newton, famously known as Mr. Las Vegas, is poised to commemorate his 65th anniversary as a performer in Sin City with a special residency. On August 29, he announced the extension of his “Up Close and Personal” residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino during an appearance on the Today show. The new performance schedule includes 62 dates, running from January 13 to June 12. Newton first graced the Las Vegas stage alongside his brother in May 1959, and now, at the age of 81, he continues to captivate audiences.

Who Is Wayne Newton?

Wayne Newton’s professional singing career began in his childhood. He initially performed with his older brother, Jerry, before establishing himself as a solo artist in the early 1960s. Newton achieved fame with popular hits such as “Danke Schoen” and “Red Roses for a Blue Lady.” Over the decades, he has solidified his reputation as one of Las Vegas’ most beloved and highest-paid entertainers, continuing to perform and tour to this day.

Early Years

Carson Wayne Newton was born on April 3, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia, and spent his early childhood in Roanoke before moving to Newark, Ohio. His father worked as a mechanic, while his mother dedicated herself to raising their two children. Both parents have Native American heritage, with Cherokee roots on his mother’s side and Powhatan lineage on his father’s side.

Newton’s journey in music began at the tender age of six, inspired by performances from artists like Kitty Wells and Hank Williams. Shortly thereafter, he and Jerry embarked on a tour as part of a Grand Ole Opry traveling show. Additionally, he hosted a daily radio program on a local station. A gifted musician, Newton is proficient in several instruments, having taught himself to play the piano, banjo, and guitar, among others; he plays a total of 13 instruments.

At the age of ten, Newton, who suffered from asthma, relocated with his family to Phoenix, where the climate was more conducive to his health. He continued to perform locally, appearing on a television station and even hosting his own program. During his junior year of high school in 1959, Newton secured a booking in Las Vegas at the Fremont Hotel & Casino with Jerry. Originally contracted for two weeks, their engagement extended to nearly a year. His burgeoning career also included appearances on The Jackie Gleason Show and serving as an opening act for Jack Benny, earning him acclaim as a youthful performer with a remarkable soprano voice.

Solo Success

In 1962, renowned singer Bobby Darin played a pivotal role in launching Wayne Newton’s solo career. The following year, Newton achieved a significant milestone with his hit “Danke Schoen,” which reached the Top 20. In 1965, he solidified his place in the music industry with another upbeat ballad, “Red Roses for a Blue Lady.” His last major single, “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast,” was released in 1972. By this time, Newton had developed his signature look, complete with a pencil-thin mustache and a refined stage presence, while also adjusting his vocal range to a deeper register.

Although Newton later experienced a decline in chart success, he continued to thrive as an entertainer. He became a staple performer in Las Vegas and frequently appeared on television variety shows, earning a reputation as one of the highest-paid acts in the city. His enduring popularity as a concert performer allowed him to tour extensively across the United States. A dedicated supporter of the U.S. military, Newton participated in numerous USO tours to entertain troops.

Legal Troubles

In the early 1980s, Newton found himself at the center of controversy when NBC News aired several reports alleging his connections to organized crime. Claims emerged that he had acquired part ownership of the Aladdin hotel and casino through mob funding and that he was associated with two members of the Gambino crime family. In response, Newton filed a libel lawsuit against the network, asserting that the allegations were false and had adversely impacted his reputation and business ventures. In 1986, he won a $19 million settlement, which was later reduced to over $5 million. However, a federal appeals court overturned this ruling in 1990, and Newton’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was rejected the following year.

Newton faced further financial challenges in 1992 when he declared bankruptcy, citing $20 million in debt. Later in the decade, he engaged in a legal dispute with fellow singer Tony Orlando over a shared theater in Branson, Missouri.

Television and Movie Work

Throughout his career, Newton has frequently been invited to portray himself, embodying the quintessential cabaret performer on various television shows and in films. However, he also seized opportunities to take on diverse roles. Notably, in the 1989 James Bond film License to Kill, he portrayed an evangelist alongside Timothy Dalton. The following year, he appeared in Andrew Dice Clay’s film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, coinciding with a resurgence in the popularity of his hit “Danke Schoen,” which was lip-synched by actor Matthew Broderick in the comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

In recent years, Newton ventured into reality television, launching his own competition show, The Entertainer, in 2005 to discover new talent for Las Vegas. Two years later, he participated in Dancing with the Stars, showcasing his skills alongside notable personalities such as Jane Seymour and Marie Osmond. Around this time, he faced health issues that necessitated a temporary reduction in his public performances.

Approaching 65 Years in Las Vegas

Now in his 80s, Newton remains an active performer at his Las Vegas residency. To date, he has entertained tens of millions of people during over 50,000 appearances, according to Today. In August 2023, he announced an extension of his residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino through June 2024, marking his 65th anniversary as a performer in Las Vegas this May. “I don’t want to quit,” Newton remarked to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I would have to get a real job.”

Personal Life: Wife, Daughters, and Casa de Shenandoah

Newton resides in Las Vegas with his second wife, Kathleen, and their daughter, Lauren. He also has a daughter, Erin, from his first marriage to Elaine Okamura.

For many years, Newton’s lavish estate, Casa de Shenandoah, occupied over 36 acres and was often likened to Elvis Presley’s Graceland. The property featured multiple homes and a horse stable, where Newton raised Arabian horses. In 2010, he sold the estate for a reported $19.5 million, transforming it into a tourist attraction for three years, during which visitors could explore the grounds and view his memorabilia. Initially, Newton held a minority stake in the company managing the attraction, but it eventually closed, and the property was sold again.