Draft:Phil Greenwald
![]() | Review waiting, please be patient.
This may take 3 months or more, since drafts are reviewed in no specific order. There are 1,639 pending submissions waiting for review.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
Reviewer tools
|
Submission declined on 29 May 2024 by Notcharizard (talk). This submission appears to read more like an advertisement than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles need to be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, not just to materials produced by the creator of the subject being discussed. This is important so that the article can meet Wikipedia's verifiability policy and the notability of the subject can be established. If you still feel that this subject is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia, please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
This draft has been resubmitted and is currently awaiting re-review. | ![]() |
Phil Greenwald | |
---|---|
Born | New York City, U.S. | August 31, 1918
Died | January 18, 1982 | (aged 63)
Spouse | Janie Streicher |
Phil "Philly" Greenwald (August 31, 1918 – January 18, 1982) was a notable figure in the entertainment industry, particularly known for his role as the Director of Entertainment, Talent Booker, and Nightclub Producer at the Concord Resort Hotel in the Catskills. Greenwald is credited with transforming the Catskills into a renowned destination for high-profile celebrities by being the first booker to replace salaried social staff with one-night headliners.[1] His contributions significantly shaped the Borscht Belt and Catskills from the 1940s to the 1970s, helping to transform it into a cultural hub for the Jewish community in New York during that period.
Early Life and Career
[edit]Greenwald began working at the Concord Hotel in 1940 as a lifeguard. Within a few years he was made Head of Entertainment at the hotel, where he was responsible for presenting at least 1000 acts a year on a $3 million budget, which was unusually large for the time.[2]
Concord Resort Hotel
[edit]Under Greenwald's direction, the Concord Resort Hotel emerged as a prominent entertainment hub. During his tenure, the New York Times recognized the Concord as the largest nightclub in the world, noting its substantial entertainment budget.[3] [1] In 1959, the hotel paid Milton Berle unprecedented $6,500 for a single night's performance.[4]
From approximately 1948 until his death in 1982, Greenwald brought numerous stars to perform at the Concord, including:
- Paul Anka[5]
- Gene Baylos
- Harry Belafonte[5]
- Milton Berle[5]
- Tony Bennett[5]
- Red Buttons
- Johnny Carson[5][2]
- Sid Caesar[5][2]
- Vic Damone
- Sammy Davis Jr.[5][2]
- Bobby Darin[6]
- Rodney Dangerfield
- Jimmy Durante[5][2]
- Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
- Connie Francis
- Judy Garland[5][2]
- Engelbert Humperdinck
- Julio Iglesias
- Tom Jones
- Danny Kaye
- Alan King
- Joe E. Lewis
- Dean Martin
- Tony Martin[5]
- Zero Mostel
- Phil Silvers
- Barbra Streisand[7] [5]
- Harry Richman
- Joan Rivers[5]
- Nipsey Russell
- Allen & Rossi - According to Steve Rossi, Philly was one of the first people to book the duo after they teamed up.[8]
- Buddy Hackett[5]
- Florence Henderson[9]
- Woody Allen[8][2][5]
- Jerry Vale
- Bobby Vinton[5]
- Sophie Tucker[10]
As described by Greenwald’s son Joey in "It Happened in the Catskills" by Harvey and Myrna Frommer, Greenwald was once contacted by the William Morris agency and offered a country and western singer for $50. Greenwald's response was, “I wouldn’t have that in my hotel for anything in the world, no matter the price.” The singer was Elvis Presley.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Levy, Alan (8 December 1974). "The Concord: Eat, Swim, Eat, Rest, Eat". New York Times. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Phil Greenwald, Held Talent Post at Concord". New York Times. 18 January 1982. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ Zweibel, Alan (2020). Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier. Abrams Press. ISBN 978-1-4197-3528-8.
- ^ "NIGHTCLUBS: Competition in the Catskills". Time Magazine. Time Magazine. 10 August 1959. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Montana, Carol (28 February 2023). "Memories of a Catskills Entertainer: Billy Vine". Sullivan County Democrat.
- ^ Starr, Michael Seth (2004). Bobby Darin: A Life. Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-58979-598-3.
- ^ "Barbra Streisand Archives". Barbra Streisand Archives.
- ^ a b Frommer, Harvey; Katz Fromer, Myrna (1 January 1989). It Happened in the Catskills: An Oral History in the Words of Busboys, Bellhops, Guests, Proprietors, Comedians, Agents, and Others Who Lived It. p. 159.
- ^ Henderson, Florence (20 September 2011). Life is Not a Stage. Center Street. ISBN 978-1-4555-0491-6.
- ^ a b Frommer, Harvey; Katz Fromer, Myrna (1 January 1989). It Happened in the Catskills: An Oral History in the Words of Busboys, Bellhops, Guests, Proprietors, Comedians, Agents, and Others Who Lived It. p. 154.