Louis Prima (1910-1978) was an American singer, songwriter, trumpeter, bandleader, and actor during the mid-20th century. He was known for performing jazz, swing, and jump blues music. Using his background from New Orleans and his Italian heritage to shape his distinctive sound, he encouraged other performers at the time to embrace their ethnic heritage. He frequently performed with his wife, Keely Smith, at the height of his popularity.
The Insignia Films Research for the "American Experience: Las Vegas - An Unconventional History" collection (1968, 2004-2005) contains photocopied research material, primarily drawn from Nevada newspapers, photographic prints, Betacam and VHS videotapes with interviews and footage used in the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) series "American Experience: Las Vegas - An Unconventional History," created for the Las Vegas Centennial, Las Vegas, Nevada. Also included are original issues of Look magazine with Las Vegas, Nevada coverage, and a United States Freedom of Information Act (USFOIA) report on Tony Spilotro.
The Dennis McBride Collection of Gay Erotica (1960-2006) contains a selection of pornographic publications, three VHS tapes of erotic films, and photographic prints mail ordered from gay erotica or physique photography studios. The three studios represented in this collection are Alexander Studio, Sierra Domino Studio, and Third World Studio.
The Dorothy Keeler Papers (1811-1977) document early Las Vegas history, the life and career of former United States Mint director Eva Adams, and contain images of the Western United States and Southern Nevada in the 1930s. The collection contains clippings on the history of Las Vegas and early Las Vegas weddings as well as photographs documenting the Keelers' travels throughout the Western United States and the construction and dedication of Hoover Dam.
The Bob Friedlander Jazz Music Manuscripts (approximately 1960-1980) are comprised of music manuscripts arranged by Bob Friedlander and collected by the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some titles are photocopies of the original manuscript. Friedlander arranged for big band musicians such as Harry James, Sam Donahue, Richard Maltby, Ralph Flanagan, and Johnny Long.
The Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center Architectural Records (1998-1999) contain architectural drawing sets for the Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center's design and construction. Located on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, the Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center provides professional and liberal arts education to students seeking a career in the study and creation of music. The school enrolls more than 400 music majors and attracts students throughout America and internationally.