Ernest Borgnine, Karon Kate Blackwell, Marty Allen and Breck Wall

He made his mark on the Las Vegas Strip by creating and defining the afternoon comedy revue.  Breck Wall has died at 75.  He had been suffering from Alzheimier's Disease and was in an assisted living facility.

He was born Billy Ray Wilson in Jacksonville, Florida.  He had a colorful life that included a brush with infamy.  He played nightclubs in the South including two owned by Jack Ruby in Dallas, TX.  He testified before the Presidential committee investigating President Kennedy's assassination.

In 1958, he created "Bottom's Up!" after being inspired by the 1938 Broadway revue, "Hellzapoppin".

He arrived in Las Vegas in March of 1964 and the Castaways Hotel was open to his idea of an late night comedy lounge revue that incorporated old vaudeville routines with pop music, modern dancers and blackout sketches.  After a successful run, he hit upon the idea of an afternoon comedy revue and moved the show to the Thunderbird.

"Bottom's Up!" had many homes including the Aladdin, the Hacienda, the Mint, the Flamingo, the Sands and perhaps its most succesful residence, Caesars Palace, where the cast was headed by Nancy Austin.

Breck Wall was many things but he never lost his love of showmanship and his talent for surrounding himself with the best creative talent he could find helped change the afternoon lounge scene of Classic Las Vegas.

Reports are that he will be cremated.