Second Installmant of Louis Primal Scream In 1954 Prima was offered to stay at The Sahara in Las Vegas to open his new act with Keely Smith.[3] He called up New Orleans saxophonist, Sam Butera. With Butera came his background musicians, The Witnesses.[3] They were talented musicians whom Prima tweaked to his liking. The act was a hit, and ultimately led Prima to sign with Capitol records in 1955.[3] He released his first album with Capitol records, “The Wildest!,” in September 1956.[3] Some of the popular songs include his medley of “Just a Gigolo” and “I Ain’t Got Nobody.”[3] In 1957, they released “The Call of the Wildest.” Keely worked with other artists to release the album I Wish You Love, and received a Grammy in 1958.[3] Keely also received a Playboy Jazz Award in 1959. She got a number one female vocalist reward in 58/59 from Billboard and Variety.[3] The duo also redid Old Black Magic, which was a top 40 hit for two months. It earned the duo a Grammy. The couple also had two daughters together.[3] Prima decided to relocate his acts to the Desert Inn because he would take in $3 million for producing 12 weeks worth of acts a year for five years.[3] In 1959, Prima signed with Dot Records and they produced 8 albums.[3] The top albums were “Wonderland By Night” and “On Stage” in 1961.[3] The couple was constantly performing and it affected their marriage. To attempt relaxation, the couple set out on a trip on the Atlantic coast, but ended up grounded in the Inland Waterway until rescued by the Coast Guard.[3] In January 1961, Prima was invited by Frank Sinatra to perform in the Inaugural Gala for President John F. Kennedy[3] They played Old Black Magic. The constant performances and Prima’s sometimes flirtatious actions were too much for Smith. After finishing up their contract at the Desert Inn, she filed for divorce at the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Nevada in Las Vegas.[3] After Keely was out of his life and his performances, Prima tried to prove that he did not need her. In the New York Post, there was a suggestion that Keely should rejoin for an act in New York’s Basin Street East nightclub. Prima said, I have no desire whatsoever to have any dealings with Keely Smith under any conditions. ... There is nothing in the world or no one that could ever make me accept this woman in our act.[3] youtube/watch?v=sfNgcDvPn1M
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 23:35:00 +0000
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