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.
On March 15, 1981, Generoso E. Sayon interviewed his adoptive father, Fermin De Leon (born July 8, 1899 in the Philippines) at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers the Filipino experience in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the 1950s. During this interview, De Leon discusses being a veteran, who served in World War II. De Leon also recalls that most of the Filipinos living in Las Vegas worked as kitchen help in the hotels on the Strip.
On February 26, 1977, collector Joe Sant interviewed local Nevadan business owner, Robert D. Howell (born November 22nd, 1939 in Las Vegas, Nevada) in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers Las Vegas in the old days, from Mr. Howell’s personal experience of being born and raised in Nevada. During this interview, Mr. Howell also discusses the early above ground atomic tests, local environmental and social changes, the economic landscape, the Mormon Fort, religious beliefs, and local recreation. The interview concludes with discussion on air pollution.
On March 20, 1978, Jamie McKee interviewed Emma Richard Foremaster (born 1899 in Alamo, Nevada) about her family history. Foremaster mainly discussed her ancestry, including the background of her parents and grandparents, and she did so in a pre-scripted narration-style account. Foremaster also talks about the various locations at which her family has lived, some of the recreational activities and occupations of her family, and some of the background of her own life. At the conclusion of the narration, Foremaster talks briefly about her children, her work in becoming a schoolteacher, and her appreciation for the advancements in technology as well as the love for her family and country.
On March 9, 1978, Shirley Dianne Long interviewed Al Lermusiaux (b. 1926 in Corrales, New Mexico) about his work in construction in the Las Vegas Valley. Lermusiaux begins by talking about his move to Las Vegas, his family and what brought him to the city. He shares many anecdotes about the construction of different iconic buildings in Las Vegas, the inner workings of the business, payments to employees and the changes in technology. Lermusiaux, in particular, talks of the telephone system in the fifties and the changes in structures and their regulations. During his interview, Lermusiaux lays out an image of old Las Vegas and Henderson, giving detailed descriptions of the layout of the city, the projects he worked on and the effects of the weather on building structures in Las Vegas.