“Jersey Boys” and a Chat with Bob Gaudio

Jersey Boys Anniversary Party (photo by Erik Kabik)

By the powers vested in me as A&E Editor for Vegas Seven, I assigned myself the story about Jersey Boys’ two-year anniversary in Las Vegas. I have to say that this story was truly a joy to write and Jersey Boys ranks as one of my favorite shows in Vegas. Additionally, musician/writer/music producer Bob Gaudio goes down as one of my favorite interviews ever because he was so smart and personable.

Here’s an interesting little tidbit that didn’t go in my article because I didn’t happen to have my recorder on me at the two-year anniversary reception: After having interviewed Gaudio on the phone a few days previously, I chatted with him at the reception and asked him his opinion on the upcoming Michael Jackson-Cirque du Soleil collaboration. Though I can’t remember his first reaction, he launched into this wonderful story about how he had recorded Jackson when Jackson was only 16. Gaudio said that at that age, Jackson was a joy to work with and that all he cared about was the music and he wasn’t yet affected by the trappings of fame. Gaudio then told me about how he was in a meeting with Neil Diamond when he found out that Jackson had passed, explaining that they immediately cancelled the meeting because everybody was so sad.

Read my Jersey Boys article here.