Authors: Mickey Podell-Raber
The Copa (12 page)
An autographed photo to me from The McGuire Sisters. The trio became famous after they appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and had several hit records, including
Sincerely.
Jimmy Durante
Although he is probably best known by today's generation as the storyteller in the animated holiday classic
Frosty the Snowman
(which is shown every year on television), Jimmy Durante was a top star in the nightclub circuit for decades. Because of his trademark nose, he was nicknamed the “Schnozz.” During his career, Durante paired with
several different partners to complement his act. But make no mistake about it, the “Great Durante” was always the star attraction. Singer-comedian Sonny King was Jimmy Durante's sidekick for over twenty-five years. Durante asked King to fill in for his partner, Eddie Jackson, in 1950. Sonny King had worked for Jules Podell at the Copacabana as a bouncer and eventually was promoted to bar manager. “I can't explain it. I don't know if it was spiritual, but we looked at each other and couldn't stop laughing,” King said of his instant chemistry with Durante. “The audience caught on and they were laughing, too.” A few years later, a top executive from the Sahara in Las Vegas saw King's act at the Copa and asked him to come and work at the hotel. King would move to Las Vegas and make it his home. Sonny King continued to work with Durante until 1980, when Durante passed away. Jimmy Durante was such an institution at the Copa that he recorded a live album at the club in the 1960s that is still available today on CD.
Bobby Rydell and my father. Rydell was a teen idol during the 1960s and continues to perform today.
Paul Anka
Paul Anka was a rising teen star in the late 1950s, known for both his performing and songwriting abilities. In 1960, at age twenty, he had the distinction of being the youngest star to ever headline the Copacabana.
Anka's record company at the time, ABC-Paramount, decided to record a performance of his during his Copa run in July 1960. The intent was to introduce his talents to the parents of his current teenage fans. Recording engineer Phil Macy from Bell Sound Studios set up remote audio equipment in order to record Anka properly. According to the album notes, the performance from July 6, 1960, was edited and
released as the album
Anka at the Copa.
The engagement was such a success that Jules Podell wrote Anka a letter that was printed on the back of the album.
Sugar Ray Robinson, Paul Anka, and my dad. Besides being one of the greatest boxers of all time, Sugar Ray also developed a nightclub act and worked in television and the movies.
On July 11, 1960, Podell wrote the following:
Dear Paul:
At the conclusion of your engagement here at the Copacabana, I wanted to let you know how we all feel about the two weeks you've spent with us as the youngest headliner in the history of the Copa.
We've had many stars with us over the years, Paulâsome who were already well-established names, top-ranking artists who had become institutions in the business, others who were getting their first big break by an appearance at the Copacabana. I personally derived a great inner satisfaction in noting the rise of many a performer who was spurred on to stardom after an engagement here.
So you will understand my gratification now, when I tell that I feel that you are certainly on the threshold of greatness. During your engagement, I was amazed to see your terrific flair for showmanship, the natural gift for timing and delivery, and the sincere boyish charm which consistently characterized your performances.
You will be pleased to know that, for the first time in the history of the Copacabana, it became necessary to schedule three shows on the opening night of your engagement! The entire two weeks were most successful for us, and I think you continued to gather more fans and admirers among all elements and age groups as well as retaining the tremendous followers among the teenagers who filled the Copa so often during their “Prom Nights.”
I was particularly happy to note that you recorded a series of your performances at the Copacabana during the two weeks, and that these will be released in album form for ABC-Paramount. I am
eagerly looking forward to hearing the album, which I will treasure as a tangible memento of one of the outstanding engagements it has been my pleasure to present.
Good luck to you always, Paul.
Sincerely,
Jules Podell
In 1962, The National Film Board of Canada produced a mini-documentary on Paul Anka titled “Lonely Boy.” Jules Podell granted the filmmakers access the club in order to shoot Anka's performance and some backstage footage. The most fascinating aspect of this thirty-minute film is the interview with Jules Podell and the footage inside the Copacabana.
The first scene that involves the Copacabana is a shot of the outside awning, followed by a few seconds of the Copa Girls and the audience's reaction. The film then follows Paul Anka as he is getting dressed in a room at the Hotel Fourteen, exiting the elevator, passing through the kitchen, and greeting Podell. After kissing Jules on the cheek, Anka proceeds to light Podell's cigarette before heading onstage as he is being introduced by Doug Coudy to sing his opening song.
Wayne Newton
Another entertainer who owes a great deal to Jules Podell and the Copacabana is Wayne Newton. Television superstar Jackie Gleason was passing through Phoenix, Arizona, in the summer of 1962, on a train trip to promote his CBS network show. The owner of a local CBS affiliate television station was looking for an act to perform for Gleason
while he was in the city for a luncheon. The owner remembered the Newton Brothers from an appearance they had made on his station and called Wayne to see if the brothers would be available. Wayne Newton and his brother jumped at the opportunity to perform in front of “The Great One.” After the Newton Brothers had finished their act, Gleason was so impressed that he stood up and proclaimed, in front of the assembled luncheon audience, “You're on my first five shows.”
My father, Joe E. Lewis, Red Skelton, and a group of friends enjoying an evening at the club.
On the September 29, 1962, the Newton Brothers made their debut on
The Jackie Gleason Show
. Wayne and his brother, Jerry, were planning to leave New York since they had no other work lined up after their appearances on the television show. When Gleason became aware of this, he vowed to rectify the situation for the brothers. Jackie called his old friend Jules Podell and asked him to book the Newton Brothers' act in the Copacabana lounge. Podell happily complied with his old friend Gleason's request and it turned out to be most beneficial to Wayne's career.
Wayne Newton always asked my father if he could ask me out and my father would say, “Yeah, go ahead.” My father could have cared less about my thoughts. At that time, Wayne was fat, nerdy, and had a high-pitched voice, but finally I agreed to go out with him. One evening it was arranged that he would come to the house to pick me up. He arrived on time and spoke with my mother for a few minutes and then we went to dinner. The thing that turned me off about Wayne most was his ego; he was so into himself. The entire conversation centered on his career and what his future plans in show business were. He bored me to death telling me “I'm” going to be big someday and “I'm” going to do this and “I'm” going to do thatâ¦it was all me, me, me, me. After twenty minutes of this, I told him I was not feeling well and asked him
to take me home. Ever the gentleman, he took me home and offered to escort me upstairs to our apartment. I told him thanks but I would be fine. As soon as I walked in the door, I called another guy whom I really liked and told him I was now available that evening to go out.
My father and actor Gabby Hayes. Gabby appeared in many Western movies as a sidekick, usually to Roy Rogers or Gene Autry.
Ad for D'Aldo Romano, a singer who never became a big star in America.
While working in the lounge, Copa regular Bobby Darin caught the Newton Brothers' act one evening. At this stage in his career, Darin wanted to become a record producer and he thought that a song that had been written for him would be perfect for Wayne. The song was “Danke Schoen,” and in the spring of 1963, Darin convinced Wayne to record it. The song and recording would change Wayne Newton's career and life forever.
