Abstract
The Las Vegas Ambassadors Collection (1968-1985) primarily consists of a scrapbook, newspaper articles, and photographs documenting the activities of the Las Vegas Ambassadors youth singing group. The materials were compiled by Harry LaFavor, the Ambassadors' business manager, who co-founded the group with Norman Kaye and Richie Astone to promote a positive image of Las Vegas. The collection also includes a songbook, vinyl record and ¼” tape recording, and promotional materials.
Finding Aid PDF
Date
Extent
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Scope and Contents Note
The Las Vegas Ambassadors Collection (1968-1985) primarily consists of a scrapbook, newspaper articles, and photographs documenting the activities of the Las Vegas Ambassadors youth singing group. The materials were compiled by Harry LaFavor, the group’s business manager. The scrapbook contains correspondence, newspaper articles, performance advertisements, photographs, and a 45 rpm vinyl recording of the Ambassadors. The collection also includes a proclamation from Governor Richard H. Bryan to commemorate Harry LaFavor’s fiftieth birthday, as well as a ¼” audio tape recording.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
This material is made available to facilitate private study, scholarship, or research. The donor, Mike LaFavor, transferred all right, title and interest they had in the Las Vegas Ambassadors Collection (MS-01195) to UNLV. However, some material may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by UNLV. Users are responsible for determining whether permissions are necessary from rights owners for any intended use and for obtaining all required permissions. Acknowledgement of the UNLV University Libraries is requested. For more information, please see the UNLV Special Collections policies on reproductions and use or contact us at special.collections@unlv.edu.
Arrangement
Materials remain in original order.
Biographical / Historical Note
The Las Vegas Ambassadors were a youth singing group formed in 1968 by business manager Harry LaFavor, music director Norman Kaye, and choreographer Richie Astone. The members of the Ambassadors were middle school, high school, and college students from throughout the Las Vegas Valley, selected by audition and ranging in age from 11 to 21 years old. LaFavor, Kaye, and Astone created the group with the goal of promoting a positive image of Las Vegas through the local youth entertainers.
The Las Vegas Ambassadors performed at local community events, fundraisers, holiday parties, political rallies, and conventions. They frequently performed weekend matinee shows at casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. The group also traveled across the United States and internationally, showcasing their talents and promoting Las Vegas in places such as Hawaii and Tokyo, Japan. The Ambassadors' repertoire consisted mostly of original songs composed by music director and third Poet Laureate of Nevada, Norman Kaye.
Harry LaFavor resigned as business manager of the Las Vegas Ambassadors in February 1970. The group continued performing under the direction of Norman Kaye and Richie Astone and signed a recording contract with Kings Recording Company in 1970. The Las Vegas Ambassadors recorded several singles under their contract, with their song “And So For Now, Aloha” becoming a hit single in Hawaii in late 1970. The group continued auditioning new members, performing concerts, and making recordings for the next three years. In July 1973, the three founding partners agreed to disband the Las Vegas Ambassadors.
Source:
Duke, Forrest. “Las Vegas Ambassadors Tidal Wave in Hawaii!” Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 1, 1970. NewsBank.
The Las Vegas Ambassadors Songbook. Vic Vegas Music Publishing Company, 1970.
Valder, Ann. “We Heard.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, May 23, 1970. NewsBank.
Preferred Citation
Las Vegas Ambassadors Collection, 1968-1985. MS-01195. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/f1020s
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in 2024 by Mike LaFavor; accession number 2024-109.
Processing Note
In 2024, Landon Paljusaj accessioned the collection, refoldered the materials, arranged and described the collection, and created the finding aid in ArchivesSpace.
Administrative Information
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Appraisal Note
Acquired by Su Kim Chung, curator, as part of UNLV Special Collections and Archives holdings on entertainment. All material that formed the original gift has been retained.