The Scintas Explained

The Scintas were a music and comedy variety group.[1]

The group began in 1977 as The Scinta Brothers, consisting of Frankie and Joey Scinta, brothers from Buffalo, New York.[2] [3] They got a job performing at the chain of Playboy Clubs, including a stint at the Playboy Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City in 1981.[4] [5] Their younger sister, Chrissi Scinta, joined later.[6] Drummer Pete O'Donnell was added to the group around 1987.[7] In the late 1980s, after Frankie overcame a cocaine addiction, the Scintas became prominent supporters of the "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign.[8] [9]

The group toured throughout the eastern United States for many years. They were particularly popular in Akron, Ohio, where they performed regularly at the Tangier cabaret.[10]

In 2000, the Scintas moved to Las Vegas and began performing at casinos, with resident shows at the Las Vegas Hilton, Rio, Sahara, The D, and Plaza casinos through the years.[11] [12]

Chrissi retired from the group in 2013 because of throat hemorrhaging.[13] She was replaced first by Ashlee Amoia and later by Janien Valentine.[14] Joey Scinta died in 2017, and the group continued on without him. A year later, Frankie transitioned to performing under his own name, rather than as The Scintas, though O'Donnell continued to play a major part in the show.[15]

Notes and References

  1. News: National mags add a touch of Michigan. Detroit Free Press. Bob Talbert. August 1, 1996. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Las Vegas entertainer Joey Scinta dies at 69. Las Vegas Review-Journal. John Katsilometes. November 17, 2017. 2018-09-25.
  3. News: Hitting the jackpot. Buffalo News. Dan Herbeck. June 25, 2002. NewsBank.
  4. News: Family recipe. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Mike Weatherford. May 12, 2000. NewsBank.
  5. News: Hef's newest hutch hits the Boardwalk. Philadelphia Inquirer. John Corr. April 17, 1981.
  6. News: Joey Scinta, West Side native and part of famed Las Vegas act, dies at 69. The Buffalo News. Robert J. McCarthy. T.J. Pignataro. November 19, 2017. 2018-09-25.
  7. News: Scintas get a full house. Akron Beacon Journal. Connie Bloom. February 24, 2000. NewsBank.
  8. News: Scinta says no. Akron Beacon Journal. November 22, 1987. Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Nancy Reagan's war on drugs was personal for Frankie Scinta. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Norm Clarke. March 12, 2016. 2018-09-25.
  10. News: Buffalo-based Scintas are buffaloed in Akron. Akron Beacon Journal. Mark Faris. January 30, 1986. NewsBank.
  11. News: Hotts Spots: Show must go on for Scintas despite losses. Macomb Daily. Mitch Hotts. June 6, 2018. 2018-09-25.
  12. News: Scintas family show brings back Vegas charm. Las Vegas Review-Journal. F. Andrew Taylor. March 10, 2016. 2018-09-25.
  13. News: The Scintas miss their sister Chrissi — but find love with Janien Valentine. Las Vegas Sun. Robin Leach. April 25, 2013. 2018-09-25.
  14. News: The Scintas to bring a bit of Vegas to Akron. Akron Beacon Journal. Kerry Clawson. July 25, 2013. Newspapers.com. (Part 2 of article)
  15. News: Frankie Scinta gets comfortable at the South Point Showroom. Las Vegas Sun. Brock Radke. October 15, 2018. 2018-10-17.

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