Frank Gelb has bet on Atlantic City for Nearly 50 Years
April, 2006 - Atlantic City, NJ
In the 1960s and 70s, Atlantic City was all but written off. Its heyday over, the crowds of yesteryear had discovered other vacation destinations, leaving an economically depressed, decaying city by the sea.
Yet even in these darkest of days, one man defied the odds to bet on Atlantic City's future. Philadelphia native and Atlantic City transplant Frank Gelb wasn't about to give up on Atlantic City. Gelb's venue was the aging but famous landmark venue and the Atlantic City Convention Center located on the world famous boardwalk. There he created spectacular events that kept the tourists coming as the city struggled to prosper.
His early commitment to Atlantic City fostered relationships that helped him continue to produce and promote world-class entertainment events for the next 40 years worldwide.
Gelb began his career managing and promoting boxing shows in Philadelphia in the mid-60s. At that time, he lived at the seashore during the summers and began promoting a "summer series" variety show at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The productions were held in the Ballroom and featured such talents as Joey Bishop, Dick Shawn and other name comedians and entertainers of the day. Atlantic City was struggling and needed tourists so Gelb worked with the local hotels and motels to create room packages that included show tickets to attract visitors to the resort.
"These early experiences provided me with great lessons for future group sales opportunities during my career," said Gelb. "My early relationship with the original Hotel-Motel Association, which eventually became the New Jersey Casino Association, helped me to develop great relationships and ultimately the opportunity to bring big name entertainment to Atlantic City," he added.
During the pre-casino era, Gelb continued to produce and promote shows in Atlantic City. In 1976, he rented the Convention Center's West Hall for the entire summer. One of his most spectacular productions was the Water Follies. Gelbbrought a portable swimming pool with diving boards into the hall, and 18 women performed synchronized swimming to thrilled audiences. When he had the Roller Derby appearing, he directed the teams skate on the boardwalk prior to the show to attract attention. Other events included the Emmet Kelly Circus, professional wresting and boxing.
Gelb also began producing shows internationally during the 70s. One of his most notable was "A Tribute to Liza" at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gelb moved to Atlantic City permanently in 1978 and began a long and prosperous relationship with Resorts International, New Jersey's first gaming casino. Gelb was given responsibility for the Steel Pier Theater where he ran variety, boxing and wrestling shows for three summers. The boxing and wrestling shows were televised twice weekly on the cable network PRISM. Interestingly, Gelb was the only independent producer/promoter with an office in Resorts but was able to produce shows in all casino properties. As the decades passed and Atlantic City's renaissance grew, this arrangement was grandfathered in with all subsequent owners of the Resorts property.
During the 80s Gelb went on to produce major boxing events at Harrah's Marina, Merv Griffin's Resorts, Bally's Park Place, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and TropWorld Casino Resort.
March 29, 1980 typifies Gelb's grand style. On the same day, in the same venue, he booked a magic show, Atlantic City's first world title fight and Frank Sinatra. After "Boardwalk Magic" with magician Tibor Rudas, the theater was reset for the boxing match, televised on ABC's Wide World of Sports at 5 p.m. Ever the promoter, the ringside celebrities were Faye Dunaway and Frank Sinatra - who returned to the theater later that evening for his own sold-out performance.
Gelb drove Atlantic City's golden era of pro boxing through the 80s and into the early 90s, driving visitors to the city with both live bouts and closed circuit TV events in the days before pay-per-view.
In 1991, Gelb was heavily involved in the promotion of the Foreman vs. Holyfield World Heavyweight Championship, at the Convention Center. That fight set several records in the boxing world, including attendance, media coverage and pay-per-view sales. Additionally, Gelb handled all of Top Rank Boxing shows east of the Mississippi. For these many accomplishments advancing the fight game, Gelb was inducted into New Jersey's Boxing Hall of Fame in 199X.
The 80s and 90s were a busy time for Gelb Promotions. Besides boxing, he produced performances by megastar Luciano Pavarotti in association with Tibor Rudas. Gelb Promotions placed many production shows in casinos domestically including, The Magic of Allen Valentine and a Tribute to Elvis. In 1999, Gelb Promotions became the exclusive North American promoter for Andrea Bocelli.
The Convention Center closed for a $90 million renovation in the late 90s, reopening in 2001. Gelb was poised to create another monster hit at his new-old venue, booking Andrea Bocelli as one of the first performers in the newly renamed "Boardwalk Hall." Not only did the show mark a new era in Atlantic City, but it marked Gelb's 100th date at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Boardwalk Hall.
In June, Gelb Promotions, in association with Trump Entertainment Resorts, will bring international superstar Andrea Bocelli back to Boardwalk Hall for one night only, 8 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2006. Bocelli will be accompanied by the renowned Boston Pops.
The show must go on; Frank Gelb has no plans of slowing down. Gelb Promotions will continue to bring premier entertainment to audiences worldwide.
Tickets for the upcoming show are priced at $275, $195, $125, and $75. Tickets will go on sale April 3.