Las Vegas Weekly

December 30, 2009 · 3:11 PM

Strip Scribbles: Vince Neil to set off on South American solo tour

By Robin Leach

Vince Neil performs during the gala opening of Zowie Bowie Presents the Vintage Vegas Show at Monte Carlo's Lance Burton Theatre.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Our previous stories about Motley Crue rocker Vince Neil going off solo -- but still remaining with the group -- have been proved true. My Las Vegas neighbor will start an extensive South American tour in February with confirmed stops in Brazil, Argentina and Chile, and with more countries and dates being announced soon. Our hometown hero Vince will initially play concerts in Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Santiago.

Vince is currently recording his new solo album Tattoos and Tequila to be released in April with bassist Dana Strum and Jeff Blando of Slaughter and drummer Zoltan Chaney. One of the tracks that’s been laid down is a cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic “Who’ll Stop the Rain?” Vince says he picked the album’s title because it has nothing to do with Motley Crue, and his rock and roll life has been filled with tattoos and tequila!

After the South American dates, Vince reunites with Motley Crue for the Crue Fest 3 world tour starting late spring and running through the end of the year.

Photo: Jackie Brett

Tony Orlando goes over the Las Vegas history-themed menu at the Las Vegas Rocks Cafe with found Tony Sacca and his partner chef Josette LeBlond.

Photo: Jackie Brett

Tony Orlando gives his sign of approval after tasting his namesake menu item Tony Orlando Opah at Las Vegas Rocks Cafe.

Star surveillance

Singer Tony Orlando gave his yellow ribbon vote of approval to the new downtown Las Vegas Rocks Cafe after tasting his namesake menu item Tony Orlando Opah. Tony visited with the cafe’s founder, Las Vegas entertainer Tony Sacca, and they went over the menu with chef partner Josette LeBlond. … MLB free agent Jason Giambi was at Lavo with friends listening to the sounds of DJ Vice. … Slipknot lead singer Corey Taylor celebrated his 36th birthday with friends and family at Penn & Teller’s show in The Rio last night and visited with the two magicians backstage before watching their performance.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Slipknot lead singer Corey Taylor visits with Penn & Teller before they perform at The Penn & Teller Theater in The Rio on Dec. 29, 2009.

*Expect to see some amazing noodle pulling and fruit carvings at the 6th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants Award Show at The Venetian next Tuesday. Chinese restaurateurs from across the world fly in for the awards show. Organized by Chinese Restaurant News, the Top 100 Awards Show is the only awards competition for the Chinese food industry, the largest in the U.S., surpassing McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King combined. Top Chef contestant Lee Anne Wong and Master Chef Martin Yan, host of the award-winning Yan Can Cook, are scheduled to attend the event.

Photo: TVT

Martin Yan, Mayor Oscar Goodman and Chef Zhuang at the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants Awards at The Rio in 2009.

*Disney’s The Lion King broke its own Mandalay Bay Theater box office record with a gross of $1,314,161 during the eight-performance week of Dec. 21-27, 2009. The previous Mandalay Bay Theater record held by The Lion King was $1,200,128 set during the week ending July 26, 2009. Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, a new production will bow in Singapore in September, a first for Disney Theatrical Productions.

Photo: Courtesy

Kris Allen.

Tonight’s tips

American Idol’s newest winner Kris Allen makes a special midnight appearance at B.B. King’s Blues Club in The Mirage backed by the B.B. King Vegas All-Stars. Kris also will perform tomorrow at Fox’s New Year’s Eve spectacular from Mandalay Bay Beach with sexy hostess Carmen Electra, and swimming is encouraged! Kris spoke with our Editor Don Chareunsy shortly after he arrived at McCarran today. … Darling diva and showgirl supreme Bette Midler returns to Caesars Palace’s The Colosseum for the final run of her contract dates, which wraps on Jan. 31. Her New Year’s Eve show tomorrow is an astounding $2,000 if you want to meet her backstage as the balloons drop, pose for a photo and receive an autographed CD. … Dirty Little Secret performs at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip.

Tomorrow’s teases

Las Vegas becomes the best place in the world to usher in the 2010 New Year with star-studded parties and Strip-long festivities punctuated with the world’s best midnight fireworks show. We’ve got the full listing of the celebrities and their celebrations. Then to nurse the inevitable hangovers, get ready to welcome back country crooner Garth Brooks for his second round of concerts at the Encore Theater in the Wynn.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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