David Cassidy in the News
Rat Pack makes Bon Jovi late
April 24, 2001
By Kate Mannix
The Las Vegas Sun
A special love of the Rat Pack might have been why Jon Bon Jovi didn't get to the church on time.
The 75 couples who waited anxiously for Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora to show at the Graceland Wedding Chapel on Saturday night had to hang on until almost one o'clock in the morning before tying the knot, so the singer could get a Rat Pack fix.
Immediately following the Bon Jovi concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the band, along with an intimate group of VIPs, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver and Heather Locklear, were greeted by Las Vegas' current version of Frank Sinatra and Co., the cast of "The Rat Pack Is Back."
As Bon Jovi pumped his fists in the air and jumped excitedly around the room, Rick Michel, Steve Lippia and Doug Starks performed four songs for the group in a private MGM Grand hospitality suite. Bon Jovi is such a fan of the Rat Pack that he reportedly bought the rights to the famous photo of the gang posing in front of the old Sands hotel, which is why a version of the pic was featured on Bon Jovi t-shirts and VIP passes.
After the mini "Rat Pack Is Back" concert, it was time for Bon Jovi and Sambora to head over to the chapel and serenade the couples/contest winners, who were originally scheduled to get hitched at an 11:30 p.m. ceremony in the tented parking lot. The duo made up for being tardy by performing acoustic versions of "Thank You for Loving Me" and "Can't Help Falling in Love."
And speaking of "The Rat Pack Is Back," the show is currently performing under a verbal contract extension with the Sahara.
The David Cassidy/Don Reo-produced tribute show was supposed to re-up for another year at the beginning of April, but as of now, everyone is still waiting for signatures. Sources at the hotel insist Cassidy will commit to the extension in writing any day now.
