Las Vegas history would never have been the same had it not been for the famous Rat Pack that performed there in the sixties. This group of performers consisted of Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Joey Bishop. Norman Fell made a couple of appearances as part of the pack but was not a permanent member.
Before the heyday of the strip, the group was actually started in Hollywood by one who never performed there. In the fifties, Lauren Bacall gave Humphrey Bogart and the entire group that nickname after a weekend spent in town. She was the unofficial female head of the group who made sure they stayed somewhat safe.
During the heyday, there were also female hangers on who were simply known as mascots of the pack, but none of these ladies were permanent members. Some notables were Marilyn Monroe, Angie Dickenson, and Shirley MacLaine, who would go to Las Vegas to party and catch the shows. Since they were not considered permanent members of the group, they were never awarded billboard status.
It is important to note that the boys never called themselves the Rat Pack, as this was a term that was pushed on them. The way it worked was one of the guys would have a booking in a casino, typically Caesar's, and the rest would hop on stage when they wanted. Only the headliner would be touted and it was anyone's guess which of the others would make an appearance.
The Las Vegas of the sixties would not have been the same and Las Vegas may not have earned the reputation it did without the help of the infamous Rat Pack. The famous ladies that were there supporting cast did not hurt their popularity and in fact may have increased it somewhat. You never knew what would happen when one of the members was scheduled to perform, which was the beauty in seeing one of their shows live.
Before the heyday of the strip, the group was actually started in Hollywood by one who never performed there. In the fifties, Lauren Bacall gave Humphrey Bogart and the entire group that nickname after a weekend spent in town. She was the unofficial female head of the group who made sure they stayed somewhat safe.
During the heyday, there were also female hangers on who were simply known as mascots of the pack, but none of these ladies were permanent members. Some notables were Marilyn Monroe, Angie Dickenson, and Shirley MacLaine, who would go to Las Vegas to party and catch the shows. Since they were not considered permanent members of the group, they were never awarded billboard status.
It is important to note that the boys never called themselves the Rat Pack, as this was a term that was pushed on them. The way it worked was one of the guys would have a booking in a casino, typically Caesar's, and the rest would hop on stage when they wanted. Only the headliner would be touted and it was anyone's guess which of the others would make an appearance.
The Las Vegas of the sixties would not have been the same and Las Vegas may not have earned the reputation it did without the help of the infamous Rat Pack. The famous ladies that were there supporting cast did not hurt their popularity and in fact may have increased it somewhat. You never knew what would happen when one of the members was scheduled to perform, which was the beauty in seeing one of their shows live.
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