Louis Prima and Keely Smith
Louis Prima and Keely Smith were a dynamic musical duo whose performances in Las Vegas helped shape the city's entertainment scene in the 1950s and 1960s. Their unique blend of jazz, swing, and lively stage antics made them one of the most popular acts in Las Vegas.
Louis Prima was a talented trumpeter, singer, and bandleader born in New Orleans in 1910. He began his career in the 1930s, gaining fame with hits like "Sing, Sing, Sing." In the 1950s, Prima moved to Las Vegas, his high-energy performances and charismatic stage presence quickly made him a favorite among audiences.
Keely Smith, born Dorothy Jacqueline Keely in 1928, was a gifted singer known for her smooth vocals and deadpan stage persona. She met Louis Prima in 1948, and they married in 1953. Keely joined Prima's band, and their musical partnership became a defining feature of their careers. Her calm and composed stage presence provided a perfect counterbalance to Prima's exuberant antics.
Their performances at the Sahara Hotel and Casino's Casbar Lounge in Las Vegas were particularly legendary. They often played late-night shows, drawing huge crowds and creating a lively, party-like atmosphere.
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​After their divorce in 1961, both Louis Prima and Keely Smith pursued successful solo careers. Prima continued to perform in Las Vegas and other venues, while Smith also enjoyed a successful solo career, earning critical acclaim for her vocal performances.​ Louis Prima was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010, and Keely Smith received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018, highlighting their enduring impact on the music industry.
