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HSN/The Venetian
Michael Bolton in concert with Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Valerie Simpson, Orianthi and Melanie Fiona for Home Shopping Network at The Venetian on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013.
Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 | 10:09 p.m.
Sales of Michael Bolton’s new CD hit 10,000 an hour when Home Shopping Network broadcast his concert live and on tape a second time from The Venetian. I’m told cable TV executives were so pleased with orders for “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” that they confirmed three more similar concerts there this year.
Additionally, Michael’s concert, which was a tribute to Hitsville USA, featured Motown legends Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and Valerie Simpson, plus, Orianthi and Melanie Fiona. If you missed the show, check out the video on HSN.com.
I was impressed at the large number of cameras the producers used. “It’s a very ambitious live shoot. It’s like covering a regular concert,” an HSN exec told me. “We don’t spare any expense to make it fabulous television. We may be selling albums, but we’re also showing an incredible concert in its very best light.”
Michael, 59, has sold more than 50 million copies of his 18 albums, of which eight have been in the Top 10. Nine of his 35 singles went to #1 on either the Billboard Hot 100 or Hot Adult Contemporary charts.
I sat in on the show, which you wouldn’t have realized was a one-hour sales extravaganza. I spotted new Venetian headliners Human Nature chatting backstage with their mentor Smokey.
Michael and Smokey became fast friends once the two days of rehearsals began. They turned up together at nearby Lavo in the Palazzo and the next night at Tao in The Venetian. Michael said, “I grew up listening to Smokey. Sharing the stage with him for the first time here makes me very honored to be part of his life.”
Singer Paula Abdul, who dined with HSN execs at Wolfgang Puck’s Cut Steakhouse in the Palazzo, dashed upstairs to say hello to Michael and Smokey.
A top Venetian exec told me: “We don’t have the next three concert dates set just yet or the three superstars, but it’s a definite go. It is a great new partnership and very good for Las Vegas with lots of wonderful television exposure. HSN also sold room packages to their viewers, so it’s been a success all the way around.”
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
In the spirit of Venice, The Venetian is a little piece of romantic Italy right here in Las Vegas. The Venetian is an "all-suite" hotel, with rooms accented with plush linens and Italian marble. The 4,027 suites are divided into two towers: The 36-story Venetian Tower that offers guests a taste of luxurious Las Vegas and the Venezia suites, which guarantee 12 floors of high-end elegance. The top five floors are the hotel's highest level of luxury with its private access, concierge lounge, upgraded features and even a dedicated staff.
Entertainment at the Venetian includes shows such as Tim and Faith - Soul2Soul, featuring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Rock of Ages.
The flagship of Venetian nightlife is TAO, an ultra-hip nightclub located inside of TAO Asian Bistro. V Bar is The Venetian's super smooth ultra lounge, made by the owners of New York City's club Lotus and Los Angeles' super swank Sunset Room.
The Venetian features 19 restaurants including Thomas Keller's award-winning French restaurant Bouchon, Mario Batali's B&B Ristorante, Aquaknox for fresh seafood and the 42,000 square foot TAO Asian Bistro. There's also the food court inside the Canal Shoppes for those looking for a quick bite.
Guests can float along The Grand Canal Shops in an authentic Italian gondola ride and pass stores like Burberry and Kenneth Cole along the way. And if you haven't caught a real celeb, on the street in Vegas, you can head over to Madame Tussauds to check out a wax version.
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