Chapter 5     Sin City

Shortly after my return home from the 6 weeks tour with Michael, I received a phone call from John Payne (Asia). John and I had previously crossed paths when Asia played an opening slot during my period with Survivor. He 
explained he had a project in the making and wanted me to record some tunes for it. While in the 
studio recording, he explained that Simon Napier Bell (former “Yardbirds”, “Wham” and “George 
Michael's” manager), together with Sir Harry Cowell (friend and manager and owner of Mission 
Entertainment Group), had this idea to put together a super group type project. Guys from known 
bands who had well known hits etc. I was hooked!!!! A couple of months had passed, when I got
another call from John announcing that a showcase was booked for The Mayan Theater in down-
town Los Angeles in November. He asked me for suggestions with guitarists and having worked 
with Howard Leese (HEART and BAD CO.) a number of times at The Rock n' Roll Fantasy camp, 
I put John in contact with him. Howard's only stipulation was that he would do it, as long as I did 
too. Thanks HL!!! I also recommended Tracii Guns (G n'R & LA GUNS) and Johns choices of Jay 
Schellen drums (ASIA), Paul Shortino, Vocals (ROUGH CUTT & QUIET RIOT), Andrew Freeman, 
Vocals (LYNCH MOB & OFFSPRING), Michael T Ross (LITA FORD) on Keys completed the band 
line up. John of course was on Bass guitar and Lead Vocals. We rehearsed for about a week and the
show case at the Mayan Theatre received raving reviews. 






Sir Harry (who had just landed in L.A. from London) and John called my on January 20th, my birthday, just as I was about to get seated to watch "Iris" (Cirque de Soleil) at the Nokia in Hollywood with my family. They announced the news that The LVH in Las Vegas wanted the show! We opened in March 2013 and performed over 360 shows to date with incredible reviews from thousands of fans and local/national press. We earned the title of #1 Las Vegas Performance per Trip Adviser and Best Musical 2014 per the “Las Vegas Review Journal-Readers Poll”! Sharing the stage with guest artists like Lou Gramm (FOREIGNER), Jon Anderson (YES), Micky Thomas (STARSHIP), Bobby Kimball (TOTO), and Joe Lynn Turner (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW) was a delight for us and a treat for the Las Vegas audiences.

This chapter of my life was just beginning, thanks to Sir Harry Cowell, Rock Vault owner and dear friend, who took us to new heights with our well deserved move up the Las Vegas Strip to The New Tropicana Hotel in November 2014, after a great stay at the LVH, now Westgate Hotel. What a high it was! After 800+ shows, Rock Vault came to an unexpected halt ... the show stopped on July 31, 2016 after the entertainment philosophy and direction changed to topless ... hmmm ... and there I thought that went hand in hand with Rock N Roll?! Haha!
​
After several months of rethinking and relocating, we started our stay at the iconic Hard Rock Hotel. Being off the Strip did not prevent loyal fans and new fans to be to come and see us. The more intimate "Vinyl" room allowed audiances to be more up close and personal with all the cast. We picked up another years of "Vegas Best" and we saw a lot of people coming through from all over the world. As it seems to go with our show, the hotel was sold to Richard Branson from Virgin Airlines and our last show conculed out stay on December 30, 2019. The hotel will be remodeled and wil open again as "Virgin Hotel" ... an oxymoron? 

On January 11, 2020, Rock Vault reopened at the Rio Hotel and Casino in the 172 Room, where we currently continue our residence. After 7 years and approx. 1500 shows, we look forward rocking your socks off for a little while longer .... See you there!
Robin