He was the leader of a hot show for a hot minute.
Louie Edmund Cordero was a holy terror at The Nightclub at Las Vegas Hilton and Sunset Station’s Club Madrid. He went by the stage name Louie Louie, spinning with such velocity it seemed he would drill himself into the stage.
This was in 1999, eons ago by entertainment standards, especially in Las Vegas.
Yet we still recall the nights when Louie Louie, with his five-piece band and backing dancers, brought the party. The performer who co-starred in Madonna’s “Borderline” video has died at age 63. Cordero’s brother, Ray Cordero, announced Louie Louie’s death on Friday on Facebook.
From the post: “An amazing brother, son, friend, partners, musician, producer, band leader … He left us all too soon.” The brother did not share details of the cause or location of the death.
Cordero had a Top 20 hit with Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury” in 1990. He recorded four albums, kicking out nine singles, with “I Wanna Get Back with You” a mild hit on Latin radio. He portrayed Rick in “House Party 2,” and was cast in the feature film “Kids.”
A modest memory, maybe. But Cordero’s was a destination show at his Vegas venues back in the day, as they say. He blazed late into the late, summoning performers who arrived from their gigs and productions to the stage. I remember him shouting into the crowd in his Hilton days, “You’re in a show? ‘Mystere?’ GET UP HERE!’”
Vegas PR ace Laura Herlovich repped Cordero in his Vegas era. We both remember that she arranged an interview with him for a profile at his performance peak.
“We put him on a Southwest plane dressed as a flight attendant and he sang over the PA system between here and L.A.,” Herlovich recalled Friday. “I went with him, and on the way home, he sat by me and any song I would name, he would serenade me with. It was such a fun experience, and he was such an adorable and talented guy.”
The Nightclub at the Hilton would soon become Shimmer Cabaret, the no-cover Louie Louie show moving out as “Menopause The Musical” moved in. The venue is now Westgate Cabaret, fully ticketed, home of Jen Kramer’s magic show, “Soul of Motown,” and “The King Comes Home” Elvis tribute.
Club Madrid went dark last summer, replaced by Sunset Final Casino Bar in an extensive property renovation.
Club Madrid is where I met Cordero, adrenaline percolating at about 2 a.m. This was just as he was to release his fourth album, “Dance, Love, Work.”
“I sleep when most people are awake,” the entertainer said with a laugh. “I like the night. I lead an opposite lifestyle, and I like the fact that my shows are late at night, even if my band hates it.”
Many Las Vegas entertainers have followed Louie Louie’s lead. Cheers to this showman, who in a short time left an enduring legacy of spirit, style and smiles.
Cool Hang Alert
Joe Esposito, who had a hit with “You’re The Best” from “Karate Kid,” and soul/R&B artist and producer Randy Hall play the Rampart Casino’s Round Bar at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Their act is called Cool Change. A lot of experience and chops for this no-cover show. Go to theresortatsummerlin.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.