While relaxing in her room at the
Flamingo Hilton, hotel guest Rachel Schwartz from Teaneck, New Jersey was listening to the
radio when she recognized a familiar tune that she had not heard in years. The melody
"Blue Moon" was being played like she had never heard before. When the song
ended the announcer said that the spectacular piano player was none other than "The
Great Emilio," currently performing at the Flamingo Hilton. She became excited by the
coincidence that this great pianist was performing at the same hotel where she stayed.
That evening, Mrs.
Schwartz went to see The Great Emilio perform in the Flamingo Room. She walked through the
casino and immediately recognized his style of music. As she made her way to her dining
table, Mrs. Schwartz was amazed to see the enormous crowd gathered around his piano. Happy
patrons were dancing and singing along to familiar show tunes that Emilio played on
request.
She could only see
a glimpse of this extraordinarily gifted musician dressed in sequined attire, but the
emotions expressed by the audience told a moving story of magical moments and feelings.
The Great Emilio’s piano style was a unique blend of soft melodies and beautiful
harmonies. It was astounding to hear him perform such a wide variety of traditional,
contemporary and popular music.
His musical
arrangements were versatile and creative, and he possessed a flamboyant Liberace-style of
piano playing. As he performed his potpourri of melodies, he thrilled his audience with
the music of Glenn Miller’s "Moonlight Serenade," George Gershwin’s
"Rhapsody in Blue," Cole Porter’s "Night & Day" and the
ever-popular Village People’s "YMCA."
Emilio’s
fast-pace rhythmic style of playing the piano was exhilarating to hear. One enthusiastic
young man shouted, "WOW… look at him go! He has golden fingers!"
Emilio mesmerized
his audience and touched many romantic hearts when he performed, "Love is a Many
Splendored Thing."
At the sound of the
popular tune, "Memories" Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sullivan, a couple from Salt Lake
City, Utah lifted their champagne glasses to toast their wedding anniversary. When Mrs.
Schwartz greeted the couple, she discovered that The Great Emilio had performed at their
wedding in the hotel’s chapel. The loving couple (who appeared to be lovebirds for
many years), explained that their special occasion would not be the same if they had not
returned to Las Vegas to celebrate with The Great Emilio.
Mrs. Schwartz’
dining experience would not be complete if she did not speak with Emilio and express how
much his performance moved her. After listening to him play for over an hour, she made her
way through a crowd, which had grown tremendously. As she approached his piano-side she
saw a man with a joyous sparkling smile and energy that ignited the room. He spoke to her
with such a warm and loving persona that it made her feel like she was his only audience.
Shaking his hand she said, "Thank you for making me feel that I am ‘Forever
Yours.’ I will cherish this experience for a lifetime." |
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The President of the Liberace
Fan Club once stated about Emilio: "This is the closest person I have ever seen to
being compared with Liberace."
The Great Emilio performs at
the beautiful Flamingo Hilton on the Fabulous Las Vegas Strip.
Mrs. Schwartz’
evening with The Great Emilio touched such an emotional chord in her spirit that she
rushed to purchase his compact disc at the hotel’s gift shop.
When she arrived
back to New Jersey, she listened to a wonderful collection of melodies and visualized the
master romantic pianist at the keyboard performing "live" in her home. She
absorbed his inspirational piano playing and reflected on tranquil moments that had long
been forgotten. His magnificent music brought her to tears.
Mrs. Schwartz has
since joined The Great Emilio Fan Club. She writes to the fan club often and invites
Emilio to perform in her city. LVN
Enjoy an exciting "Forever
Yours" musical experience with "The Great Emilio" at the Flamingo Hilton.
He performs Tuesday - Sunday, 8-11 p.m. For reservations, telephone (702) 733-3111. The
Great Emilio’s CD titled, "Forever Yours" can be purchased at the Flamingo
Hilton gift shop or by calling 1-800-299-2113. To join his fan club, write to: The Great
Emilio Fan Club, P.O. Box 30183, Las Vegas, NV 89173-0183, or telephone (702) 456-7605.
Click for CD info |
