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Elvis Concert Comedians
Following are profiles on comedians Sammy Shore and
Jackie Kahane,
who were opening acts for Elvis during the 1969-1977 concert era of
his career:
SAMMY SHORE
In 1969, when Elvis began to perform live concerts
again, his show was rounded out with opening acts performed by The
Sweet Inspirations (his female backing vocal group) and the trumpet
playing stand-up comedian Sammy Shore, whom Elvis's manager Colonel
Tom Parker had seen Shore opening for singer Tom Jones. Shore
had reviously worked on TV and in movies. He opened for Elvis
from 1969 until 1972, when he opened a club on the Sunset
Strip called "The Comedy tore." The club became famous as a
showcase for young comics. Later, his wife Mitzi gained
control of the club in their divorce settlement and Shore returned
to TV and movies, including roles in such films as the Mel
Brooks omedy "History of the World: Part I" and the television
show "Ed." Today, he tours with his comedy act. Sons
Pauly Shore and Peter Shore are in show business.
Pauly is best known as a stand-up comedian and comedic actor and
Peter as a producer/director/writer.
JACKIE KAHANE
For a brief time Nipsy Russell and then Bob Melvin
replaced Sammy Shore as Elvis's opening comedian. Then Colonel
Parker spotted Jackie Kahane opening for singer Wayne Newton.
It was Kahane's clean, family-friendly jokes that inspired Colonel
to offer him the Elvis show opening spot. Kahane fit in
well in the Elvis circle. The then 45-year-old Montreal,
Canada native had begun professional life as a druggist before he
found his niche as a comedian. Other than Wayne Newton, Kahane
worked with many stars such as the Will Masters Trio and Sammy
Davis, Jr., Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick and Tony Bennett. In
1961, Jackie Kahane, along with Bill Cosby, were named
as Outstanding Comedians by "Time" magazine, an honor he cherished.
Kahane opened for Elvis from 1972 until Elvis's death in 1977.
It was Jackie Kahane who delivered the eulogy at Elvis's funeral.
He then went on to form his own production company and to produce TV
comedy shows such as
"Off The Wall" and "Honeymoon Haven." He died of cancer in
March of 2001.
Both Sammy Shore and Jackie Kahane joined the Elvis
bandmates reunion cast for Elvis in Concert '97
(an Elvis-video-interactive concert with original Elvis concert cast
members live on stage) presented at
the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on the twentieth anniversary of
Elvis's passing.
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