This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Andy Martello.
Andy Martello, a professional comedian, variety performer, and freelance writer, is the author of “The King of Casinos, Willie Martello and the El Rey Club.”.
About the book:
After a horrific blaze destroyed Willie Martello’s El Rey Club in 1962, nearly 50 years would pass before anyone knew of how that tiny casino provided a template for present-day gambling resorts, upset the Las Vegas mob, and inadvertently launched the career of Francis Ford Coppola. Were it not for the discovery of a single photo in a Las Vegas museum, the history of the El Rey Club and Willie Martello would not have been written.
About the Author:
Martello began juggling at age ten and performing professionally by age fifteen, when he won his first talent contest. His first professional booking was in 1985 and it paid him a whopping $15.00...for eight hours work.
In 1988, Martello attended Ringling Bros. Clown College and toured the world performing at theme parks, theaters, and festivals. Since then he's appeared at numerous comedy clubs and performed for major corporations such as Microsoft & Coca-Cola.
Martello has eaten fire on NBC's "Last Comic Standing” and spun plates on national television. He's opened for legends like Gladys Knight and performed for President George Bush
In 2010 he began his career as a Las Vegas headliner as part of the comedy magic duo, Spike & Hammer.
Andy Martello Website