The Kats! Bureau at this writing is at The Official Tropicana ImplosionPalooozaFest, just south of the skeleton of the historic hotel-casino. A few minutes ago Neon Museum Executive Director Aaron Berger interviewed me for a series of clips to be presented at the museum. He’ll be here through the night, asking for folks’ memories of the Trop.
When Berger asked me that simple question, I instantly thought of Jerry Tarkanian. I’d barely remembered this episode in the coverage of the hotel’s closing and implosion. But when Aaron asked for my recollection, I flashed on Tark relaxing on a king-sized bed one afternoon in February 1997.
Tark was five years removed from UNLV and coaching Fresno State, in town to play the Runnin’ Rebels. Tark was on his cell phone when I walked in. Cell phones were somewhat of a luxury then, and he called out loudly, “Tell Freddy we’re coming in tonight!” Then he looked at me and said, “Piero’s!” referring to his buddy Piero’s founder, Freddy Glusman.
Tark leaned back on the bed. I asked what it was like to be back in Vegas. He said, “This city is growing too big, too fast.
” In 1997. It seems everyone has a Trop story. It’s where I covered the Hawaiian Tropic Pageant on the pool deck and the close of “Folies Bergere” from inside the theater in 2009.
I met Brad Garrett at the hotel when he opened his comedy club on the second floor. He roasted everyone he ran into on his way to the venue, still under renovation. “Peo.