Las Vegas Weekly

May 11, 2010 · 6 AM

Human Nature’s headline run extended for two years at Imperial Palace

By Robin Leach

Smokey Robinson and Australian group Human Nature.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman is set to name today Human Nature Day as Harrah’s Entertainment officials announce that the quartet from Down Under is getting a two-year extension at Imperial Palace. Additionally, Imperial Palace’s theater will be renamed Human Nature Theater.

Motown legend Smokey Robinson will join the four members of Human Nature -- Toby Allen, Phil Burton and brothers Andrew and Michael Tierney -- tonight at Smokey Robinson Presents Australia’s Human Nature: The Ultimate Celebration of Motown for a first-anniversary concert at Imperial Palace. Human Nature is the first Australian group to have a long-term show on The Strip.

Smokey, who discovered the singers who pay tribute to the songs and artists of Motown, said: “They are extraordinary vocalists who truly know how to entertain. I knew that they would be hugely successful here onstage.” Las Vegas resident Smokey, who stages the show, added: “The guys and I are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with Imperial Palace."

Human Nature, who opened Down Under for Celine Dion and Michael Jackson on their Australian tours, formed as a doo-wop group while in high school in Sydney in 1989. Since then, they have racked up an impressive 17 Top 40 hits and five Top 10 hits on the Australian pop charts, along with all their albums going multiplatinum. Their U.S. debut was in 2008, and their first U.S. CD has just been released.

Rick Mazer, president of Imperial Palace, Flamingo, Harrah’s, O’Sheas and Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall, said: “The guys not only have incredible voices but also deliver a dynamic show every time they are onstage. Their talent is undeniable, and their passion for the music and sound is contagious. We are thrilled with the success and proud to have them headline here for another two years.”

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Imperial Palace headliners Human Nature.

We’ll meet up with Smokey and Human Nature tonight in advance of their joint onstage appearance and concert, and we’ll report that live on Twitter and then follow tomorrow with a story and photo gallery.

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 at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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