Following are profiles on comedians Sammy Shore and Jackie Kahane, who were
opening acts for Elvis during the 1969-1977 concert era of his career:
SAMMY SHORE
In 1969, when Elvis began to perform live concerts again, his show was rounded
out with opening acts performed by The Sweet Inspirations (his female backing
vocal group) and the trumpet playing stand-up comedian Sammy Shore, whom Elvis's
manager Colonel Tom Parker had seen Shore opening for singer Tom Jones. Shore
had reviously worked on TV and in movies. He opened for Elvis from 1969 until
1972, when he opened a club on the Sunset Strip called "The Comedy tore." The
club became famous as a showcase for young comics. Later, his wife Mitzi gained
control of the club in their divorce settlement and Shore returned to TV and
movies, including roles in such films as the Mel Brooks omedy "History of the
World: Part I" and the television show "Ed." Today, he tours with his comedy
act. Sons Pauly Shore and Peter Shore are in showbusiness. Pauly is best known
as a stand-up comdedian and comedic actor and Peter as a
producer/director/writer.
JACKIE KAHANE
For a brief time Nipsy Russell and then Bob Melvin replaced Sammy Shore as
Elvis's opening comedian. Then Colonel Parker spotted Jackie Kahane opening for
singer Wayne Newton. It was Kahane's clean, family-friendly jokes that inspired
Colonel to offer him the Elvis show opening spot. Kahane fit in well in the
Elvis circle. The then 45-year-old Montreal, Canada native had begun
professional life as a druggist before he found his niche as a comedian. Other
than Wayne Newton, Kahane worked with many stars such as the Will Masters Trio
and Sammy Davis, Jr., Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick and Tony Bennett. In 1961,
Jackie Kahane, along with Bill Cosby, were named as Outstanding Comedians by
"Time" magazine, an honor he cherished. Kahane opened for Elvis from 1972 until
Elvis's death in 1977. It was Jackie Kahane who delivered the eulogy at Elvis's
funeral. He then went on to form his own production company and to produce TV
comedy shows such as "Off The Wall" and "Honeymo
on Haven." He died of cancer in March of 2001.
Both Sammy Shore and Jackie Kahane joined the Elvis bandmates reunion cast for
Elvis in Concert '97 (an Elvis-video-interactive concert with original Elvis
concert cast members live on stage) presented at the Mid-South Coliseum in
Memphis on the twentieth anniversary of Elvis's passing.