Wayne Newton IS Mister Las Vegas. He understands the city and what it takes to play there. He has seen it grow from aMob hideaway in the desert to middle America's No. 1 recreation spot, and he has played a role in that transition. No one- since the end of Sinatra's Rat Pack - has been more popular there. But it has been a long, long way for Wayne Newton from the hills of Virginia to the rough, wooden floorboards of a haywagon, parked outside a grocery store in Phoenix, Arizona, to the glitzy neon lights of the Las Vegas strip.

This compact disc compiles all of the early Wayne Newton and Newton Brothers records for Ranger, ABC, George, Lama and Capitol, from 1954-1963. It's a unique retrospective of all the 45 rpm releases before and including his 1963break through, Danke Schoen. It also includes many rare, unreleased songs that were recently discovered, including Wayne Newton's very first three demos from 1954, featuring his brother, Jerry!From early hillbilly, doo wop, and rockabilly, to standards, ballads and hits, Wayne Newton and the Newton Brotherscovered all styles of music in their first decade. Then, in 1962, Wayne Newton met a kindred spirit, pop star Bobby Darin (MackThe Knife, Beyond The Sea, etc.) and Bobby Darin began producing him. Their first hit was Bert Kaempfert's Danke Schoen (featured here) and from that point there was no looking back. The CD includes Bear Family's usual extensive liner notes and visuals.

It is a 'must have' for the many Wayne Newton fans allover the world. Hear for yourself how Wayne Newton transformed himself from a hillbilly wannabe to 'The Midnight Idol, 'Mr. Entertainment' and 'Mr. Las Vegas.' This generously full 32 track CD is indeed 'The Real Thing. '