Title: The Vegas Player: Celebrities, Sex, Drugs, and Mafia
Author: Jimmy Mulidore
Publisher: Writers Branding LLC
ISBN: 979-8895314449
Pages: 424
Genre: Nonfiction / U.S. State & Local History / Memoirs
Reviewer: Christina Avina
Pacific Book Review
When it comes to some of the greatest history of the music industry, most people remember the stars who take center stage and light up the arenas and concert halls. From classic performers like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald to modern stars like Lady Gaga and Michael Bublé, these singers are often the faces of great music, but they’re usually supported by other performers who bring those songs and visions to life, especially when backed by full orchestras.
Experiencing that life and the passion for music it brought out in them drives author Jimmy Mulidore’s The Vegas Player: Celebrities, Sex, Drugs, and Mafia. The book follows Jimmy Mulidore’s journey, from humble beginnings in Ohio to learning from the greats in New York’s Juilliard School for Music, and moving to Las Vegas to play with greats like Sinatra and Elvis Presley; in those experiences, the author shares their brush with fame, power, a passion for music, and even the seedy underbelly of the Las Vegas Strip.
Immediately, I was struck by how honest and upfront the author was about these experiences. The balance of music appreciation and even a bit of music history with the personal experiences of the Las Vegas entertainment scene, where a hint of danger and temptation could be found everywhere, made the book flow smoothly and allowed me to feel connected to the author’s story. The straightforward writing style also helped me feel immersed in these experiences and added atmosphere to the author’s life’s work, as I could feel the tension and unpredictability of the life they found themselves in while working the Vegas scene.
Readers who enjoy nonfiction books, especially those that explore music, memoirs, and even an appreciation for history, in particular the history of Las Vegas in its early years, will thoroughly enjoy this book. The author’s early experiences in the jazz world and the passion for music come through in every chapter. The author takes the time not only to show the highs and successes their world brought, but also the lows and sobering, teaching moments everyone experiences, giving readers a well-balanced, engaging read that keeps them invested in the author’s journey.
