Las Vegas, Dec '75: The "Tony" Mystery --> Solved?

[drjohncarpenter]

This is a long shot, but maybe someone can help out.

As heard in 1993 on Unsurpassed Masters Volume 4 and in 2010 as the superb, upgraded Good To Be Back, Elvis was in a fine mood during his December 13, 1975 midnight show at the Las Vegas Hilton. Both Lisa and Vernon were in the audience, too.




"Love Me" - Las Vegas, Saturday, December 13, 1975 MS


In fact, the tape of this evening made up Just Pretend, the very first soundboard-sourced Elvis "import" back in 1991, twenty years ago!

Keen ears quickly realized that RCA took both "America" and "Softly As I Leave You" from this performance for posthumous single B-sides in 1977 and 1978, respectively. It was a really exciting release for fans worldwide, although a bit of the tape was not included.

Now, at one point on the later releases noted above, Elvis is heard singling out the orchestra's guitar player for a unique solo spot. As we later discovered, at the dinner show released on FTD's Dinner at Eight, he introduced him as "Tony." That guy jammed on his guitar, at the request of Elvis Presley, at least twice, maybe more. Elvis did the same thing a year later at the Hilton. How cool is that? But who was "Tony"? Anyone know his full name?

Our own Mike S suggests it might be Tony Peluso, who at one time played lead guitar for the Carpenters. It is a fascinating suggestion about the fabled "Tony," if correct. Peluso was one of those "behind the scenes" musicians who worked with many well-known people. Sadly, he died less than a year ago, at the age of 60.

TonyPelusoCarpentersguitarist.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Peluso

Check out this wonderful tribute to his talent:
http://begonias.typepad.com/srubio/2003/09/tony_peluso.html

Here's that shining moment, as noted in the above blog:


..

Carpenters "Goodbye To Love" (A&M 1367, July 7, 1972)
Billboard "Hot 100" #7, August 26, 1972, Cash Box "Top 100" #7, September 2, 1972
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodbye_to_Love
Lead guitar: Tony Peluso


If it is Tony Peluso playing with the Joe Guercio Orchestra, perhaps Elvis gave him a spot because of his work with the Carpenters. In fact maybe it was Tony who drew Elvis to "Solitaire," cut by the singer in February 1976. He plays guitar on the Carpenters hit 1975 single.

Peluso, yes ... or no?

---

UPDATE 1-21-2014:

loiacvi1 and Mike S solved the issue, it's Tony DeCaprio.

elvis.gif

Elvis Presley performing with, Tony De Caprio, left. On the right, behind the drums, is Alex Acuna playing congas. Directly behind Alex is James Moody on the end, playing sax. To the right of Moody is Ron Feuer on Hammond Organ. Directly to the right of the drum cymbols is guitarist James Burton…… circa 1974.

http://www.tonydecaprio.com/AboutTony.htm

Note: photo is from Las Vegas in December 1976.


Mr. DeCaprio shares his thoughts here:
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60336&p=1253918#p1253918

Thanks all!

[KiwiAlan]

Another great mystery.

Very possible - the Carpenters selected him and they must have known him from somewhere.

Starting a career in a Las Vegas house band is plausible - lousy pay - but you gotta eat, right.

If we can connect the Carpenters to Las Vegas perhaps.

[Elvisfan10]

Not to get off topic because I do find this really intriguing, but I just have to get this one small thing out of the way. People are shocked over the turban and look at that picture above

[stevelecher]

Don't know if Tony is Tony Peluso but if so, I doubt he had much to do with Elvis cutting Solitaire. Elvis must have liked something Tony was playing to highlight him.

Steve L.

[stevelecher]

Didn't Karen Carpenter have a lovely voice?

Steve L.

[Mike S]

If we can connect the Carpenters to Las Vegas perhaps.

Good point.

Does anyone know whether the Carpenters were playing in Las Vegas around this period?

[elvisjock]

"This guy is wilder than a goat."

[Mike S]

On examination of the Carpenters' Newsletters from the time, it appears that Karen's poor health had resulted in the cancellation of a pre-planned tour of Japan around this period, So Tony Peluso was unexpectedly free at the time of Elvis' December '75 shows.

Interestingly, the Carpenters next scheduled engagement was at the Sahara Tahoe, opening on the 27th December '75, so they definitely played at some of the same venues.

[loiacvi1]

It is not Tony Peluso playing with the Guercio Orchestra in Dec 1975.

In fact, a simple google search seems to suggest it is in fact a guy named Tony DiCaprio

http://www.tonydecaprio.com/AboutTony.htm

Trust the loiacvi1 !

[drjohncarpenter]

It is not Tony Peluso playing with the Guercio Orchestra in Dec 1975.

In fact, a simple google search seems to suggest it is in fact a guy named Tony DiCaprio

http://www.tonydecaprio.com/AboutTony.htm

Nice find -- although his site offers little in the way of substantive evidence he played in the Joe Guercio Orchestra.

Here is a YouTube clip of him playing -- he is evidently a jazz master player.


..
Tony DeCaprio - Guitar Solo
Tony DeCaprio starts off his Master Class "A New Model In Viewing Improvisation - Lesson V" 3/7/07 with a guitar solo.

Anyone know more?

Which Italian gunslinger is it: Peluso or DeCaprio?

[drjohncarpenter]

Another somewhat murky clue -- a photo from Elvis' summer 1974 Las Vegas season apparently identifies DeCaprio in the Hilton Orchestra.

But it could be anyone -- or him.

http://www.wildartsmedia.com/tony%20decaprio.htm

Also of interest -- take a look at the orchestra conductor. That ain't Joe Guercio! Who in the heck is it?

[Jim Dandy]

Perhaps Al Tronti?

[drjohncarpenter]

Perhaps Al Tronti?

No, Tronti worked pretty much exclusively at the Sahara Tahoe.

Tom_Jones-Sahara_Tahoe_1975.jpg

Tom_Jones-Sahara_Tahoe_1975-Back.jpg

Sahara Tahoe - Summer 1975 Postcard

And Tronti is seen in "The Godfather Part II" -- the guy in the photo is the wrong background.

The orchestra that plays in the band shell during the party scene at Lake Tahoe was actually the Al Tronti Orchestra that played nightly for big names like Elvis Presley and Tom Jones at the Sahara Tahoe Casino/Hotel on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe while this film was being shot. Al Tronti himself sits in the orchestra in the front room (only seen in shadow). He wasn't allowed to appear as the orchestra conductor since he looked "too Italian" and the orchestra in the movie was supposed to be a West Coast group not able to play any traditional Italian music.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071562/trivia

[Deleted User 1099]

That conductor is probably Marty Harrell. He used to conduct the Joe Guercio Orchestra in Joe’s absence. The guitarist is Tony DeCaprio. End of mystery.

[drjohncarpenter]

That conductor is probably Marty Harrell. He used to conduct the Joe Guercio Orchestra in Joe’s absence. The guitarist is Tony DeCaprio. End of mystery.

Martin "Marty" Harrell, trombonist, did not start filling in for Joe Guercio until April 1976.

And he is also not a tall, slim African-American, as the man in the above photo appears to be.

http://www.trombone-usa.com/

Your unsourced, obnoxiously-delivered information was useless, but thanks for stopping by!

Our questions remain open. Credible information welcome here!

[Good Time Charlie]

Doc, I actually think that it looks like Joe Guercio. It's got his hairstyle, dress sense and glasses.

[drjohncarpenter]

Doc, I actually think that it looks like Joe Guercio. It's got his hairstyle, dress sense and glasses.

Since when did Joe Guercio resemble a tall, slim African-American?

[Good Time Charlie]

Doc, I actually think that it looks like Joe Guercio. It's got his hairstyle, dress sense and glasses.

Since when did Joe Guercio resemble a tall, slim African-American?

It's just the lighting or shadow of the photo I think. And Guercio was kinda like how Elvis was in the late 70s, he had a kind of slim overall appearance, just a fat face and a big gut.

[drjohncarpenter]

It's just the lighting or shadow of the photo I think.

Please.

[Good Time Charlie]

It's just the lighting or shadow of the photo I think.

Please.

Let's see if any of the other board 'experts' can weigh in with their opinions. Maybe some others have more details than us - but I'd be willing to place a fairly large sum of money on that being Joe. I could still be wrong though.

[Deleted User 1099]

That conductor is probably Marty Harrell. He used to conduct the Joe Guercio Orchestra in Joe’s absence. The guitarist is Tony DeCaprio. End of mystery.

Martin "Marty" Harrell, trombonist, did not start filling in for Joe Guercio until April 1976.

And he is also not a tall, slim African-American, as the man in the above photo appears to be.

http://www.trombone-usa.com/

Your unsourced, obnoxiously-delivered information was useless, but thanks for stopping by!

Our questions remain open. Credible information welcome here!

There is nothing obnoxious about my post. Such an accusation is priceless coming from you, the king of obscenities. It is impossible to see who that guy in the picture is. However, I have solved your mystery. Or, rather, Lolacvl1 did, I just confirmed it. Tony DeCaprio was twenty-five in 1975 (he reveals his age on the FTD) and sixty-one today. As I said, end of mystery.

[luckyjackson1]

OMG, this topic turns out to become another John/Ken feud...
*YAWN*

[Deleted User 1099]

OMG, this topic turns out to become another John/Ken feud...
*YAWN*

It’s sad, isn’t it? I hope John will learn one day.

[drjohncarpenter]

OMG, this topic turns out to become another John/Ken feud...
*YAWN*

You should know that I do not appreciate this false observation one bit.

[Deleted User 1099]

Yes, thorough research is a good thing. You should try it sometime. That’s how I know the guitar player in question is Tony DeCaprio. But, hey, if you still have your doubts, why don’t you e-mail him yourself? He is still alive and well and living in New York.