Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

I'm only about half-way through the interview, but, so far, it's great! On a holistic level, It's nice to hear Dr. Dave's perspective on life and the unique turns it tends to take. As a long-time Philly resident, I was happy to learn of Dr. Dave's connection to the area. Can't wait to finish the interview!

Great job, Hunter!

I was thrilled when Dr. Dave & Hunter agree that they love the energy, or maybe "vibe" of Las Vegas more than the gambling, etc. Maybe it's why Ira Sternberg always described Las Vegas as "The most exciting city in the World." A very interesting interview. Thank you both for doing it. One question, and please forgive me if it was answered and I wasn't listening; does Dr. Dave have any siblings?

Posted by motoman

Ditto, Dan.

This interview inspired me to go back and re-listen to the Chuckmonster interview from last year. Interesting that neither Dave nor Chuck set out to be involved with Vegas or the casino/resort industry for a living.

Both Vegas Gangsters emphasized the importance of hard work and dedication for its own sake, which led to success in spite of that. Contrast to Mr. Marnell's comment that those who aspire to "get into the business" for the perceived lifestyle often flame out. True with so many occupations. Dr. Dave's remark on the detachment of those in academia was amusing!

Hunter's go some mad interviewing skills. Charlie Rose, look out.

I've got one sister, who doesn't do anything related to "the business."

Hunter's questions made me think a lot more about my career trajectory. If it's not too self-indulgent, I might be writing up a few of my thoughts and posting them on my blog.

Should be interesting reading, Dr. Dave!

Ditto also to Jeff in OKC: I can't start a conversation about Vegas w/o the other party assuming it's going to be about gambling, or realityTV debauchery.

Like Dave, I felt "home" when first walking into a certain casino and hearing the music, being overwhelmed by the visuals, smelling the (piped-in) smells.... I'd been to Vegas before and Reno before that, but somehow that place "grabbed" me and made me find this blog and become a Vegas fanatic.

What an informative and fun interview. It was like spending an enjoyable evening with good friends listening to Hunter and Dr. Dave. Thank you both.
Dr. Dave is so knowledgeable about Vegas history that it was startling to hear he first came to the Strip in 1994 when New York New York was new. He brought back memories when he mentioned staying at the Continental. I saw Cook E Jarr there in the early '90s. That was an experience.
The Jay Sarno book just sounds great. Hope it's published soon.

Enjoyed the Dr. Dave interview. Can't believe he was one of the Mr. Peanut guys. I've taken my son many times to that store in his youger days in the 70's and 80's while visiting, who knew it was Dr. Dave under that costume. I still can remember that peanut smell, I'm sure working there it was a little different though. AC was still great back then.

I'm so interested in the Sarno book. I hope you got your hands on the Grandissimo blueprints. I would hope Jay Jr. or somebody still held onto those. I would love to see how it looked. I'm sure Burt Cohen has some great stories too about Sarno being so close to him during the Circus Circus days.

I completely agree with the void being the lack of records of how different the town was from all perspectives: gambler, basic tourist, employee...etc. You see the local PBS specials once in a while which are great, but there seems to be so much more out there and unfortunately the people who lived it are becoming a smaller group by the day. The stories during those days are so gripping.

By the way, I'd love to see an "Open Topic" thread, we haven't had one in a while for some general observations about whats going on around town.

Long live Cook E. Jarr!! By the way, I think he played the lounge of Caesars Palace in the late 60's early 70's, the lounge I think was called Nero's Nook back then, he's another guy that has to have a ton of great stories.