Wayne Newton Biography

Wayne Newton’s big hit “Danke Schoen” was released in 1963, when the singer was 21, and established him as a fresh-faced tenor and heartthrob. His other hit singles included “Red Roses for a Blue Lady” (1965) and the tear-jerking “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast” (1972). Over time Netwon grew to be a fixture in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas, and he remains a symbol of the city’s particular brand of glitzy entertainment. Newton began performing in Las Vegas casinos as a teen in the 1950s, and his long runs at hotels like the Aladdin and the Stardust lasted into the 21st century. In later years Newton became an icon of kitsch, spoofing his own slick image in movies and TV commercials in the manner of other old-time stars like Robert Goulet and William Shatner. He got a fresh burst of attention in 2007 when he appeared on the TV show Dancing With the Stars. His 1989 memoir was titled Once Before I Go.