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Transcript of interview with Count Guido Roberto Deiro by David G. Schwartz, January 30, 2002

Date

2002-01-30

Description

Count Guido Roberto Deiro, born in Reno, Nevada, in 1938, has had several fascinating careers. The son of vaudeville performer and recording star Count Guido Pietro Deiro, who was the first major piano-accordionist to become popular in the United States, and his teenage wife Yvonne Teresa LeBaron De Forrest, Deiro grew up in and around Las Vegas and Southern California after his parents' 1941 divorce. After attending 13 grammar schools and five high schools, Deiro graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1955. During his youth, thanks to his stepfather Samuel "Baby Shoes" Prezant, Deiro had an early introduction to the Las Vegas gambling scene. Following a brief stint in the U.S. Army, Deiro worked a series of jobs, including parking cars, selling shoes, and driving an ambulance. He transitioned from working as a fitness instructor to being a lifeguard at the El Rancho Vegas hotel, all the while becoming interested in aviation. Deiro entered the gaming industry at the age of 19 and a half, when he began working as a dealer, having been taught by his stepfather. Breaking in at the Nevada Club, Deiro, who became known as "Bobby Blue Eyes," later worked at the New Frontier, Sands, El Cortez, and Holiday casinos. He provides a great deal of detail about the social world of Las Vegas casinos in the 1950s through the 1970s, with insight into many major personalities. While working in gaming, Deiro continued to pursue a career in aviation, acquiring in the early 1960s a commercial pilot license, instrument rating and instructor's certificate. He began working as a flight instructor and charter pilot at Thunderbird Field, now known as North Las Vegas Air Terminal. Deiro flew around the United States promoting Las Vegas and the airfield. After Howard Hughes purchased the airfield in 1967, Deiro stayed, ultimately becoming Director of Aviation Facilities for the Hughes Tool Company. Following his marriage to Joan Marlene Calhoun, Deiro moved to California, where he became Vice President and Director of Administration for Air California and Golden West Airlines, before serving with other companies owned by C. Arnholdt Smith. In 1971, Deiro returned to Las Vegas. Deiro then met artist Michael Heizer, who enlisted Deiro's help in scouting and securing locations for his Earth art installations. This led to Deiro's long involvement with that genre. In addition to these careers, Deiro was also influential in many key developments in Las Vegas, including the construction of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and, with his wife Joan, several philanthropic endeavors. In this interview, Deiro shares his perspectives on his times and his impact on Las Vegas.

Text

Rose, Robert H.

Robert was the Lake Mead National Recreation Area superintendent from 5-09-1942 until 4-22-1946.In 1938 he was a naturalist for the U.S. Park Service at Lake Mead. 

 

https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/tolson/histlist7l.htm

Person

Swena, Marv (William Marvin)

William Marvin "Marv" Swena was born on January 8, 1938, in Frances, Utah. Marv married Uelda Kay Giles on May 11, 1959, and they had three children: William K. Swena, Lloyd Brent, and Mark G.

Swena was employed as an assistant superintendent at Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Company (REECo).

Person

Hanson, William George, 1937-

William George Hanson was born on September 25, 1937 in Huntington Park, California. Hanson's parents are Harry and Nola Hanson. Hanson moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1938. While in Las Vegas he worked as a Title Insurance agent.

Person

Dean Crowell, Annie L., 1859-1940

Alternate Names

Annie Lydia Dean

No description.

Person

Zo'har, 2002

Level of Description

File

Archival Collection

Guide to the Canadian Film Centre Worldwide Short Film Festival Submissions
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: MS-00615
Collection Name: Guide to the Canadian Film Centre Worldwide Short Film Festival Submissions
Box/Folder: Box 2003-035

Archival Component

Liquid Lunch, 2004

Level of Description

File

Archival Collection

Guide to the Canadian Film Centre Worldwide Short Film Festival Submissions
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: MS-00615
Collection Name: Guide to the Canadian Film Centre Worldwide Short Film Festival Submissions
Box/Folder: Box 2005-027

Archival Component

Perfect Circle, 2004

Level of Description

File

Archival Collection

Guide to the Canadian Film Centre Worldwide Short Film Festival Submissions
To request this item in person:
Collection Number: MS-00615
Collection Name: Guide to the Canadian Film Centre Worldwide Short Film Festival Submissions
Box/Folder: Box 2004-038

Archival Component

Jerry Herbst oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02801

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jerry Herbst conducted by Stefani Evans on August 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Herbst discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois, and his father’s chain of service stations, Terrible Herbst. He remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, taking ownership of his father’s company, and expanding the business to California and Arizona. Herbst recalls a shortage of fuel during the early 1970s, how service station owners dealt with the shortage, and converting service stations to be self-serve. Lastly, Herbst discusses the ideal location for service stations, and adjusting fuel prices.

Archival Collection