In 1966 Phoenix businessman Bob Sikora built and opened what was to become Arizona’s first gambling casino called Mr. Lucky’s. When the state of Arizona vetoed the idea of casino’s Mr. Lucky’s reverted to a nightclub featuring country music upstairs and rock and roll teen acts in the basement !
A country band called VIRG WARNER & THE ROGUES would begin packing in music fans and dancers to the huge Mr. Lucky’s dancefloor and the west side club became a hit with the locals. J. David Sloan who had been touring with Willie Nelson in Nashville moved to Phoenix to leave the music business and get into construction when he was lured away to Mr. Lucky’s to eventually lead the ROGUES band for over 30 years.
This nightspot became a local legend featuring concerts with all the big name acts of the day in country music. Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney and many others also played the club. The Friday night fish fry was open to families with children and a talent contest would feature area children and aspiring singers. One of those talent contest winners, Jordin Sparks would go on to win AMERICAN IDOL on network television in 2007.
In the 80’s members of the ROGUES band would produce albums and tour with newcomer LYLE LOVETT helping to launch his career. By 2004 times and musical tastes had changed and Mr. Lucky’s closed its doors after a nearly 40 year run as one of the most popular country nightspots in the USA ! (bio by Jim West)
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