Las Vegas Weekly

November 5, 2009 · 1:25 PM

Photo Gallery: Louis Prima Jr. continues ‘King of Swing’s’ legacy

By Robin Leach

Louis Prima Jr.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

From the 1950s through the 1970s, Louis Prima Sr. was a legendary Las Vegas headliner. Celebrities, high rollers and The Rat Pack were regulars at what was known as the “wildest show” in Las Vegas. For 40 years, he commanded top billing!

Now Louis Prima Jr. has begun to carry on his father’s legacy as “The King of Swing,” and he’s moved to Las Vegas preparing for his own assault on the Strip. Our leading lady of the lens Denise Truscello captured this remarkable set of photos and portraits when she experimented with a natural sunlight photo shoot through the window shutters at her beautiful home.

Incredibly, Louis Sr.’s first song “Sing Sing Sing” was inducted into the Grammy Awards Hall of Fame, and he and the Witnesses followed that with hits including “Just a Gigolo,” “Old Black Magic,” “Jump Jive” and “When You’re Smiling” -- many of which became classics and have been given modern-day covers by David Lee Roth, Reba McEntire and Brian Setzer. Elvis Presley, when asked where he got his wiggle, replied, “From Louis Prima, of course!”

Music had to run in the family, and destined for his own musical greatness, Louis Jr. began his career playing drums at age 5. By 8, he was playing piano brilliantly and then moved on to other musical instruments, including trumpet and guitar. In 1987, he formed a rock band but backed out when grunge took over the music scene.

Now he’s returned to his roots -- his father's music. He’s put together a show with a swinging and rocking band that will “Jive” you crazy with the feel of the wildest show in Las Vegas.

Louis has concentrated on the East Coast the past few years and has consistently filled 1,200-seat showrooms nightly in Atlantic City. He’s also been a regular back in his father’s hometown of New Orleans. Now with his own band and singer Sarah Spiegel, Louis has turned his focus to the West Coast.

His debut appearance was just two weeks ago at The M Resort for its Italian Festival, and the raves and applause were an over-the-top return. The dynamic performance won him private and corporate shows, and now he’s planning more in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Louis Jr. has been turning up more on the Las Vegas social scene in recent weeks and has a major Hollywood red carpet event before Christmas.

Louis Sr.’s legacy is in good hands, and the wildest show in Las Vegas is getting ready to explode all over again.

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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