Keely Smith
Dublin Core
Title
Keely Smith
Subject
Source
Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project
Publisher
Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN)
Rights
This resource is available for education and research purposes. This collection is a collaboration and combination of various projects including, but not limited to; the Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project, the Nevada Women’s Archives, the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project and the Makers: Women in Nevada History Project, a co-production of the Women's Research Institute of Nevada and VegasPBS. The text, images, audio and video in this collection are under copyright by different repositories and may not be reproduced without express written consent of the appropriate entities.
Person Item Type Metadata
Work/Contribution
Singer and recording artist
Birth Date
March 9, 1932
Birthplace
Arrival in Las Vegas
ca. 1950s
Biographical Text
Keely Smith was one of the originators of the modern Las Vegas lounge act with her husband, Louis Prima. Together the couple changed the way performances were given on the Strip through the innovative lounge act. Smith and Prima appeared in hotel bars, performing until the early morning. They performed at the Sahara Hotel while also churning out hit songs.
Keely Smith’s real name was Dorothy Jacqueline Keely and she was born in Norfolk, Virginia. By chance, she saw Louis Prima perform while vacationing in Atlantic City in 1947 and encouraged the local club owner to bring Louis to Virginia Beach, near her hometown of Norfolk. The next year, her wish was fulfilled and Prima appeared in Virginia Beach. While there, he auditioned new singers and Smith was selected. After her selection, Prima decided she needed a better stage name and renamed her Keely Smith. Smith and Prima appeared together for the first time in 1950. They were married in 1953.
The duo appeared at the Casbar Lounge at the Sahara Hotel five nights a week, performing hit songs of the era. They were popular performers and attracted a variety of people to their shows, from middle-class tourists to celebrities. During this time, Capitol Records released a record of their hits. Smith and Prima’s recording of “That Old Black Magic” won a Grammy award at the first Grammy ceremony in 1958. In 1961, the couple broke up, ending their marriage and partnership on stage. Each went on to individual careers and Smith enjoyed some success as a solo artist. Her career suffered when she decided to take a hiatus from performing to spend more time with her children. Smith’s career never recovered, but she continues to be remembered as important contributor to the Las Vegas entertainment industry.
Keely Smith’s real name was Dorothy Jacqueline Keely and she was born in Norfolk, Virginia. By chance, she saw Louis Prima perform while vacationing in Atlantic City in 1947 and encouraged the local club owner to bring Louis to Virginia Beach, near her hometown of Norfolk. The next year, her wish was fulfilled and Prima appeared in Virginia Beach. While there, he auditioned new singers and Smith was selected. After her selection, Prima decided she needed a better stage name and renamed her Keely Smith. Smith and Prima appeared together for the first time in 1950. They were married in 1953.
The duo appeared at the Casbar Lounge at the Sahara Hotel five nights a week, performing hit songs of the era. They were popular performers and attracted a variety of people to their shows, from middle-class tourists to celebrities. During this time, Capitol Records released a record of their hits. Smith and Prima’s recording of “That Old Black Magic” won a Grammy award at the first Grammy ceremony in 1958. In 1961, the couple broke up, ending their marriage and partnership on stage. Each went on to individual careers and Smith enjoyed some success as a solo artist. Her career suffered when she decided to take a hiatus from performing to spend more time with her children. Smith’s career never recovered, but she continues to be remembered as important contributor to the Las Vegas entertainment industry.
Bibliography
Clavin, Thomas. That old black magic: Louis Prima, Keely Smith and the golden age of Las Vegas. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2010.
Basten Fred E and Charles Phoenix. Fabulous Las Vegas in the 50s : glitz, glamour & games. Santa Monica: Angel City Press, 1999.
Prima, Louis, Keely Smith, Gia Maione and Phil Harris. Jump, jive an' wail the essential Louis Prima. Hollywood: Capitol, 2007.
Basten Fred E and Charles Phoenix. Fabulous Las Vegas in the 50s : glitz, glamour & games. Santa Monica: Angel City Press, 1999.
Prima, Louis, Keely Smith, Gia Maione and Phil Harris. Jump, jive an' wail the essential Louis Prima. Hollywood: Capitol, 2007.
Collection
Citation
“Keely Smith,” Makers Teaching Modules, accessed October 5, 2026, https://mail.makersteachingmodules.sites.unlv.edu/items/show/95.