Oral history interview with Gwen Weekes Rahner conducted by Gail M. Lehtinen on September 28, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Rahner discusses her role in getting people from the African American community to go out and vote. She also talks about her experience with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She also discusses atomic testing, infrastructure, and the local legislature.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John J. Page conducted by Lois Goodall on April 16, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, John Page discusses joining the United States Air Force and then moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in February 1959. He then discusses starting out as an elementary school teacher. He also talks about moving to the neighborhood of Westleigh, family life in that neighborhood, and teaching in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tony Scodwell conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 29, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Tony Scodwell discusses going to the Berklee School of Music, playing across the world, playing in Las Vegas, Nevada, and eventually settling down in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Santo Savino conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 23, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Santo Savino discusses his childhood, playing for the Air Force band, marrying his wife, and moving to California. He also discusses coming to Las Vegas, Nevada to play with a band in 1960, moving to Las Vegas, and working with a permanent band.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Pollak conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on May, 25, 2010 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Pollak discusses breaking into the music industry and attending accounting school and working as an accountant while still performing in clubs. He also discusses playing with his band at Caesars Palace Hotel and the Tropicana Hotel, African-Americans in the music industry, and drug use among musicians. Pollak then discusses how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed, in terms of the entertainment industry.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlie McLean conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on December 14, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. McLean discusses making a living playing for the Ice Capades—traveling entertainment shows featuring theatrical ice skating performances—and in jazz bands after graduating from college. He also discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1960 and playing at hotels such as the Frontier, Desert Inn, Riviera, Sahara, and the Tropicana.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Adelaide Robbins conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on April 18, 2008 and April 29, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Robbins discusses her experience in piano lessons at age six and having a professional career by the age of 12. Robbins also discusses playing many Las Vegas, Nevada venues and "always [being] the only woman in the band."
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Susan Molasky conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 11, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Susan Molasky discusses her childhood and teenage years growing up in London, England where she worked in a fabric store. Molasky also talks about originally coming to Las Vegas, Nevada with her first husband in the late 1950s. She discusses raising her children in Las Vegas, Nevada and her battle with ovarian cancer, which prompted her involvement in Nathan Adelson Hospice. She then discuss her life with second husband, Irwin Molasky, and the causes they are involved in.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joni, Sarah, and Max Fried conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 04, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Joni Fried, her daughter Sarah Fried, and nephew Max Jacobson-Fried share stories of working in the family business, Freed’s Bakery, started by Joni's parents Milton and Esther Fried. They also discuss how computer technologies and social media marketing impacted their early business.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Heidi and Scott Swank conducted by Claytee D. White on July 28, 2014 and October 13, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Heidi talks about forming the Nevada Preservation Foundation, her anthropological research in India, and her run for the Nevada Legislature representing Assembly District 16. The Swanks discuss the Downtown Project, the Flamingo Club, their 1956 house in the John S. Park neighborhood, and their neighbors.
Archival Collection