Marlene Ricci

Marlene Ricci: A Musical Fairy Tale… with Detours

BY SAMUEL NOVAK

Photography courtesy of Marlene Ricci and Cashman Photo

Just about everyone loves a fairy tale, but few people get to live one. Entertainer Marlene Ricci became one of the luckiest, and her story truly is a fantasy come to life. Nearly forty years later, the details of her remarkable career still resemble a fable. But where it led was anything but predictable.

Las Vegas resident Ricci grew up in Angola, a small village in New York state. A short drive from Buffalo, Angola remains a hidden treasure along Lake Erie’s picturesque coastline. With a population of roughly 2,000 citizens, it’s hard to imagine that this quiet haven could have fostered one of the most dynamic and sought-after performers of an era.

During her school years, Marlene unknowingly made a future Las Vegas connection when she received voice lessons from Audrey Holmes. Ms. Holmes is the mother of perennial Strip star Clint Holmes.

CHIC COMPASS asked Ms. Ricci what was in the local water to produce such amazing voices:

“That’s what everybody asks! (laughter). That’s the $64,000 Question! There are so many good performers from the Buffalo area. I would go to Clint’s house, and his mom Audrey would give me my lessons in their front room. I would see Clint get off the bus, and he would walk by, but we didn’t really have time to talk.”

“I think it’s unfortunate that Clint and I have never had the chance to sing together. We’ve done the same benefits through the years, but the opportunity never came up. We’ll have to put that out to Clint one day.”

Her name on casino marquees was still far off when Marlene started creating a buzz. Her first singing opportunity was inside a Moose Lodge at a mere six years old. It was clear that she was not a run-of-the-mill talent.

Marlene’s father took his budding star to engagement after engagement, keeping a watchful eye as Ms. Holmes shaped her showmanship skills. “Every so often, we would do a recital at some nursing homes. That’s where I think you build your confidence. You have to get out in front of people.”

Once she was old enough to perform on her own, Marlene joined a band out of Buffalo. While the group was performing in Detroit, she crossed paths with a singer named Jim Burgett.

“I was working at a different club, and Jim was at the Romulus Ramada Inn. I went to see him, and he asked if I wanted to sit in for a song or two. Jim said, “My manager keeps telling me I should put a girl in the band.” Soon after, they were performing together at Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe.

Along with singing in the Burgett Band, Marlene went into Harrah’s as a “relief act” for a few weeks in Tahoe and Reno. “That was a great training ground for me. You could see some of the greatest acts in lounges back then … Jerry Van Dyke, Don Rickles, and Wayne Newton, all of whom came through the lounges.”

Marlene was now twenty years old. She relocated to Las Vegas with Burgett and became a lounge headliner in the Reno/Tahoe/Vegas entertainment circles. With her powerful voice and unmatched stage presence, it was only a matter of time before Marlene drew the attention of a real heavy hitter. That moment came courtesy of Mr. Frank Sinatra.

Sammy Davis Jr., Marlene Ricci, Frank Sinatra

“Frank was singing in the main room, and Jilly Rizzo (Sinatra’s close friend and aide) passed the lounge where I was singing. He said, “Who’s that girl? Who’s that girl? I’m going to bring the old man in to see her.” Time passed, but Sinatra never came.

In the meantime, Rizzo helped Ricci to get a booking at the Aladdin. Sinatra was playing down the Strip at Caesars Palace, and eventually, he DID make it to one of her gigs. Marlene looked out into the audience, and there he was, with an entourage of almost two dozen people.

Within the group were Mr. And Mrs. Danny Thomas and Frank’s wife, Barbara. Immediately impressed, Ol’ Blue Eyes welcomed her to his table and offered Marlene the opportunity to participate in his upcoming tour.

The little girl from Angola was suddenly at the center of a whirlwind of concert performances, television programs, and live guest appearances. “Once Frank had me as his opening act, that opened the door to other big names, and that’s how I got to work with other stars.”

During the 1970s, the name “Marlene Ricci” was spelled out in lights across Las Vegas. She became a staple of TV chat fests by Dinah Shore, Mike Douglas, and even The Tonight Show. But her favorite by far was The Merv Griffin Show.

“Merv came into Caesars Palace and set up his show. He did it there for quite some time. I was their “go-to gal.” If someone canceled, got laryngitis, or something happened, they would call, and I would run over. He was so kind and complimentary. I was on multiple times.”

STAR SEARCH winner Mark O’Toole knows all too well the impact that television and live showcases can have on new and established acts. His successful MARK O’TOOLE VARIETY SHOW follows the “Merv Griffin” format and recently featured Marlene Ricci as a guest.

Despite his own decades of experience, the host was stunned by her talent and grace:

“From the moment I met Marlene, I felt an instant connection. I rarely say this, but I was completely blown away by the tone and quality of her voice. She is the real deal…a class act. If you ever get the chance to see Marlene perform, don’t walk…run to get a ticket.”

Endorsements like that allowed Marlene to benefit in ways that some entertainers will never know. Sinatra was so entranced by his protege that he compelled famed musical arranger Don Costa to create charts specifically for her. Those masterworks came in handy when the lead role was being cast for a 1978 television musical.

“Cinderella at the Palace” was a prime-time special filmed at Caesars Palace. Sinatra was set to play “Fairy Godfather,” a muse who introduces a promising young singer to the world of Vegas entertainment. Unfortunately, the logistics of creating such a massive project caused him to drop out of the lead. Paul Anka stepped in, and Gene Kelly was added to narrate.

Ricci should have been a shoo-in for the titular character. “There were a lot of girls considered, and it came down to the top twenty, and then me and another girl,” Ricci recalls. “What cinched it was that I had the Costa arrangements they could use for the finale, which saved them thousands,” she confided with another round of laughter.

Vegas resident Jaki Baskow oversaw casting for the CBS program. She shared her recollections of Marlene and the program with CHIC COMPASS Magazine:

“I went to Caesars’ coffee shop and didn’t know who I was meeting. In walked Frank Sinatra with Jilly (Rizzo). He wanted me to see Marlene Ricci. After the show, he asked what I thought. I told him she was beautiful and sang like Barbra Streisand. Then, Sinatra surprised Jaki by announcing, “You’re her new agent.”

“She was the new star on the horizon,” Baskow continued. “We worked on the show with the biggest stars, who were doing Frank and Jilly a favor.” Top names included Tom Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Ann-Margret, Don Rickles, Andy Williams, Jimmie Walker, Rip Taylor, and a special appearance by Frank Sinatra himself.

“Cinderella at the Palace” was directed by Bob Henry, who oversaw television events for David Copperfield, Perry Como, Bob Hope, and legendary Christmas specials by The Carpenters. The two-hour showcase was viewed by millions of people and should have catapulted Ricci into superstardom. But it had the opposite effect on her recording career.

Warner Brothers had been negotiating to sign Marlene for a record deal, an absolute must in the pre-MTV era. Unfortunately, her girl-next-door portrayal was far removed from the “rocker image” that Warner planned to take. “We went back and forth, but the deal just fell through,” she recalls.

An album of duos with Frank Sinatra was supposed to happen. But after the death of Don Costa, that never came to fruition. So, Ricci headed to Germany to record a collection of disco songs. The first single was a big success in Europe, and it seemed that things might be back on track. But once again, her career faced a detour.
“I signed on with Jack White, the producer for Laura Brannigan. He promised success as he did Laura. She had wonderful songs and a great list of hits. I got the song “Tonight,” which made it to the Top-20 list. Then his award-winning team left, changing the streak of his success.”

Superstardom may have eluded her, but Marlene Ricci’s contributions continue to be recognized. This spring, she’ll be honored by the Forgotten Song Foundation with a VEGAS ICON VISIONARY AWARD. The organization recognizes the performance artistry of live music for future generations. And in an ironic twist of fate, the event will be emceed by none other than Clint Holmes.

Las Vegas has greatly changed since the Rat Pack made waves, but the pendulum seems to be swinging back. Headliners are once again a top draw, dance music is back on the charts, and lounge acts can’t be far behind. Marlene is eager to bring back some elements of the Golden Era.

“Isn’t it sad that there are no lounges anymore? Young entertainers really have no place to showcase themselves. I’m looking for a spot where we can bring ‘old Vegas’ back.”

A long-in-the-making Cinderella story is about to come full circle. And this time, the fairy tale princess from Angola, New York, will be writing her own happy ending. So, keep your eyes on those casino marquees, and don’t be surprised if the name “MARLENE RICCI” reappears.

“My journey thus far has been SIMPLY AMAZING! It continues to be fun and exciting, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead!”