Oral history interview with Joan Massagli conducted by Claytee D. White on August 19, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Massagli discusses being part of a singing act with her sisters called the Sawyer Sisters that often played Las Vegas, Nevada. She then discusses meeting her husband, Mark Tully Massagli, who was a musician, and making their home in Las Vegas.
Oral history interviews with Renée Marchant Rampton conducted by Caryll Batt Dziedziak on August 27, 2006, January 25, 2011, and March 03, 2011 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Rampton begins her interviews discussing her family's migration history. Rampton talks about the influences Mormonism and her mother's feminism had on her life. Rampton then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959 with her husband. Rampton discusses the musicians union, Musicians' Wives Club, and her work to keep music in the Clark County School District. Lastly, Rampton discusses becoming an elementary school teacher and her efforts to support the Equal Rights Amendment.
Renee Marchant Rampton has often referred to herself as "One of Fifteen." Indeed, growing up in a family of fifteen children, Renee experienced the care of loving parents, the excitement of a bustling household, and the engagement of an active Church; all amidst the strains of a depression era economy. Renee's mother, Beatrice Marchant, provided Renee with a strong role model with which to emulate; a disciplined woman, who rose to the task without hesitation. Beatrice became the family's provider after her husband's debilitating stroke and later served in the Utah Legislature during the 1970s. Renee loved music from an early age. As a young child she found an early job as a piano accompanist for a dance studio. In 1956 she married musician, Roger Rampton, a successful percussionist. They soon settled in Las Vegas, where Roger performed on the Strip and they began raising their four children. It was an exciting period in Las Vegas history as the Strip attracted musicians and
Color image of protesters watching musicians on a stage during a 10-day demonstration known as "Reclaim the Test Site" that was organized by American Peace Test, an anti-nuclear testing group.
Oral history interview with Gus Mancuso conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 27, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Jazz musician Gus Mancuso (Ronald Bernard Mancuso) discusses his career playing trombone and double bass in various musical groups and serving in the Army band as a piano player. He also talks about moving to Las Vegas in 1955, playing in bands at various casinos, touring Europe with Sarah Vaughan and teaching in the music department at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Oral history interview with Frank Rist conducted by William F. Vornholt on May 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rist discusses his personal history working as a musician and owning a bar in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rist also describes the development of Las Vegas over the years and the distinctions between the different casinos and shows.
Black and white image of orchestra musicians from Clark County High School. From left to right: Martha Kramer, Miss Lester (teacher), Harry Gentry, and Leland Ronnow.