Las Vegas Weekly

May 22, 2009 · 11:58 AM

Videos: Laughter among tears as crowd says last goodbye to Danny Gans

By Robin Leach

Danny Gans memorial tribute.

Photo: TVT

Donny Osmond said that he choked up and teared up. It was the last goodbye to Strip entertainer Danny Gans at the Encore Theater, where he had started a new run of shows just three months ago. The singer and impressionist died May 1, and Strip entertainers yesterday paid tribute at the “Celebration of Life” memorial service.

Donny was with his sister Marie, and other attendees included Siegfried & Roy, Rita Rudner, Criss Angel, Carrot Top, Clint Holmes and his wife Kelly Clinton, George Wallace, Earl Turner, Gerry McCambridge and members of the Scintas family.

Dozens signed large paper sheets with private messages for Danny and his family.

Elaine Wynn made the opening introductory remarks, saying, “Today, sorrow and joy will share the same stage.” Her estranged husband Steve Wynn recalled several moving moments of his long friendship with Danny when he spoke.

Donny showed me on camera for our video coverage here the last text message that Danny had sent him shortly before he died. “I will keep that message forever on my Blackberry. He and I always texted each other just before we went onstage at night with a joke and a message. He was like a brother to me, and this loss is surreal. I still can’t believe he’s disappeared.” Danny was partnered with his manager Chip Lightman as the producers of Donny & Marie’s show at the Flamingo. They also had produced George Wallace’s show there.

Click HERE for our colleague and Las Vegas Sun veteran showbiz writer Jerry Fink’s story about Danny’s memorial tribute and a photo gallery.

On Tuesday, we’ll have all the reminiscences of those who attended, plus the poignant, deeply moving and eloquent speeches of Danny’s three children Amy, 21, Andrew, 19, and Emily, 14.

They choked on their emotions and cried, but then hugged one another and laughed as they recalled their father’s love and his idiosyncrasies. Andrew wore his late father’s signature red socks and black and white spats shoes. He said he knew his father would want them to be the last things to leave his stage.

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.

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