Wayne Newton

It was so successful, the band got brought back for a second week.

They would go on to appear on the Jackie Gleason Show 12 times over two years.

It became clear that they would need more work if they were going to be able to afford to stay in New York and keep doing the Gleason Show, so Jackie reached out to the Copacabana, and they got a job performing in the lounge.

During this time, they recall living off of ketchup soup and bologna sandwiches.

The only time they got a good meal was when someone invited them out or they had dinner at a fan's house.

During this time, the guys got to meet Bobby Darin while performing in the Copa Lounge.

Bobby offered to produce a record of the band, so they signed with Darin's production company.

Darin became like a brother, Gleason like a father.

While headlining at the Flamingo, Bobby Darin would bring people to the Fremont to see Wayne perform.

It was Bobby Darin's decision to rename the group just Wayne Newton.

He also brought the song Donkashay to the band in 1963.

The writers of the song didn't like that Darren wasn't going to do the song himself, but Bobby threatened to never record for the production company if they pulled the song.

Donka Shane reached number 13 on the Hot 100 chart.

Their second hit single was Red Roses for a Blue Lady in 1965.

Despite two hit songs, the boys didn't have any money because studio time cost so much.

Bobby was known to have a temper, but he never showed that side to Wayne.

The pair's relationship became strained when Bobby wouldn't talk to Wayne after his star started to rise and Darren started to fade.

Darren lost it after Bobby Kennedy was assassinated and left the industry while making some noise on the way out.

Years later, when Vegas wouldn't touch Darren anymore, Wayne asked a favor of the property he was working at at the time to book him.

The Darren residency turned out to be a big hit.