When popular music icons like Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee and Whitney Houston left us, many believed they could never be replaced. But as is inevitably the case in show business, new generations of divas – also with legendary status and tremendous drawing power – have come along, and all of them have performed in Atlantic City frequently.
Liza Minnelli – Judy Garland’s daughter – has been off the scene as a performer for some years, but is very much in the news right now by way of her new book, “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!” The book, which has received mixed reviews, details the considerable personal and professional trials and tribulations of the award-winning singer and actress. “Kids” is selling briskly, and has put “Liza with a Z” in the spotlight once again.
Minnelli had something of a love affair going with Atlantic City, appearing in A.C. hotel/casinos often through the years. Many believe that she would have appeared on the Boardwalk more frequently had it not been for movie and recording commitments, which limited her ability to tour.
Her first documented appearance was a three-night stand in May of 1986 at what was then Steve Wynn’s Golden Nugget. There was such a high demand for tickets that she returned for another three nights, beginning on April 30, 1986. From 1990 to 1993, she performed at the Sands five times. In 1995, she worked at the Nugget’s successor, Bally’s Grand, followed by one night at Caesars on Sept. 28, 1996. Her final appearance that we know of was at the Borgata in 2012.
Minnelli was so popular and such a frequent Atlantic City visitor that she landed on the cover of Atlantic City magazine in 1991, and in 2013 was chosen to sing a song that was included on the soundtrack for the HBO series “Boardwalk Empire.”
Cher, another certifiable diva who conquered the stage, screen and television, also performed in the casinos a number of times, dating back to 1979, the year after the first hotel/casino opened.
She first performed at Resorts, then at the Sands in 1990 for an extended stand that began on April 27, and ended on May 5. Cher was such a big name and incredible draw that her Atlantic City concerts were moved to Boardwalk Hall, where she performed to sold-out crowds in 1999 (for a New Year’s Eve show) in 2002, 2003 and 2004. She returned in 2018 for a series of sold-out concerts at the Borgata.
Dolly Parton appeared in Atlantic City several times and was one of the first real superstars to be booked into a Boardwalk hotel/casino. Her first documented appearance was at Resorts International for a full week’s booking – rare for Atlantic City – from May 7 to 12, 1981. Her next visit was to Caesars for two nights in September of 1993. She returned there for a one-nighter in November of 2004. In August of the following year, Parton decided to move her Atlantic City show, in support of her “Those Were the Days” album, to the now-shuttered House of Blues.
Though Parton’s last known concert in Atlantic City was at the Borgata in May of 2008, she will return to the Boardwalk, in spirit at least, as a part of Resorts’ “Cup of Ambition: A Dolly Parton Cocktail Experience,” described as an “immersive, multi-media performance” in the Starlight Ballroom Saturdays this July and August.
Because she spent so much time in residency in Las Vegas, Celine Dion didn’t visit Atlantic City often, but when she did, she made quite an impression. In September of 2008, she performed a sold-out show at Boardwalk Hall. Dion didn’t return until 12 years later when she sold out Boardwalk Hall again for what was called her “Courage World Tour.”
The 2020 show, widely reviewed, was evidently a real experience.
“Every lick, run and belt is weaponized for maximum impact, while her control and power are peerless, nearly inhuman,” wrote Bobby Olivier of NJ.com. “Even in her allegedly vulnerable moments, she remains a pillar of clout and vigor – a sheer force of nature. Yet after nearly two hours of power ballads in Atlantic City Saturday night, the pop diva stood silently for several minutes as the crowd – no longer willing to contain its adoration – roared with a thunderous ovation: screams and cheers, waves of applause and thousands of feet pounding the Boardwalk Hall bleachers.”
Though Dion hasn’t visited Atlantic City since 2020, diehard fans can get their “Celine Dion” fix at the Tropicana on Thursday afternoon, May 28. “Celebrating Celine” is a rare afternoon show for a Boardwalk hotel/casino and for this occasion, the Trop, à la the old days of afternoon day trips by bus, has hooked up with Wolf’s Bus Lines from York Springs, Pa., for a package that includes the show, a food credit and $25 in slot play.
Though the performers aren’t named – preserving the illusion that it’s the superstar herself on stage – the Tropicana’s description should be enough to draw the Dion faithful. “The tribute show features a talented live band and a performer with pitch-perfect vocals and incredible charisma,” the breathless copy reads.
“Pitch-perfect vocals.” That’s important in a Celine Dion tribute. Who knows? Dion herself may be listening.
Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and record producer and publicist, producer of the Warner Brothers and Hudson Music “Jazz Legends” film series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist.
