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Biography: Jon Astor-White

       Jon Astor-White (Jon Astor), President/CEO, produced his first TV show, a variety-talk show called "THE WHITE HOUSE", in L.A. CA, in 1970, at Metromedia TV Studios. The show was the first TV appearance of "EARTH, WIND & FIRE", founded by Maurice White. Jon (although, not blood related), introduced, Maurice White, as his brother. Jon and Maurice, grew up together in Chicago. Maurice was Jon's drummer when Jon was a singer in Chicago. Maurice came to the Whiskey a Go-Go in L.A. with Herbie Hancock (after his Playboy gig with Ramsey Lewis), where Jon was working and asked Jon to help him start "EWF".  Maurice moved the original "EWF" group from Chicago to L.A. in 1970. Jon and Maurice and two members of "EWF" signed a consulting contract for five years from 1970 to 1975. Jon helped to move the original group from Chicago to L.A., CA. and he secured their release from Capitol Records (Old name "SALTY PEPPERS") and Jon negotiated and signed "EWF" with his friend, football legend, Jim Brown's management company "BBC" (Jim Brown, Paul Bloch, Richard Covey) and they assisted "EWF" 1st. in signing with Warner Bros. Records; Later "EWF", signed with Columbia Records, who gave Maurice White, more creative and producing control. That's history, still in the making. (Maurice White passed 2/4/16 and Jim Brown passed 5/18/23, may they R.I.P.) See more of Jon's Biography below:

       Jon Astor-White, fell in love with the entertainment business, when his mother, would take him when he was very young, to see the movies and live stage shows, at the "Regal Theater" in Chicago; he told her then he wanted to be in show business. (She lived long enough to proudly witness Jon's success, passing in 1984). Jon began his career, as a young singer, during the final months of his senior year at DuSable, High School, in Chicago. DuSable would have Friday-night Socials (dances), with a live, big jazz band. Jon would sing, each Friday night, imitating the song-stylings of his idol, "Johnny Mathis". After the Army and working at Beneficial Finance and MICA Insurance Companies, Jon faithfully began his professional singing career; starting, at the "Venetian Hotel" and the "Southerland Hotel", on the south side of Chicago, before moving to the north side, to the "Boom Boom Room" where Maurice White, was Jon's drummer. Jon up-graded to appearing in the"Living Room", at the original "Playboy Club", which led to Jon singing at "Hefner's Mansion", with the Harold Harris Trio. Actor/Impressionist, Frank Gorshin, heard Jon singing at the "Playboy Club" and ask Jon to be his opening act, at the Chicago Sherman House Hotel, November 1964. Between 1964 and 1967, Jon continued, appearing at various nightclubs, within the Chicago area, and decided to move to Los Angeles, CA., in late 1967. Unable, to immediately, find work as a performer; Jon, as he states was blessed, to be referred, by friends in Chicago, to take a job, as the "Doorman" at the world-famous "Whiskey a Go Go", run by two retired Vice-Cops from Chicago, Elmer Valentine, and Mario Maglieri. Needless to say, Jon was able to meet all the stars at the "Whiskey", such as: Janice Joplin, Jim Morrison, etc., and the present day entertainment power-brokers, before leaving the "Whiskey", in 1969, to continue performing and finally, to embrace his natural calling, Writing, Creating, developing and producing TV & Film Productions.

      Jon Astor-White, had small acting roles, on TV; "Barnaby Jones", "The FBI" and "Room 222", and in the movie "Myra Breckinridge", wherein, Jon wrote one of his comedy bar scenes. Jon, filmed at 20th Century Fox Film Studios, between 1970 - 1975. Also, a special singing engagement at the Maseru "Holiday Inn", near Johannesburg, South Africa. (1977) . Jon will never forget that time-period. It was the time and month (August 77), that Jon's new friend Elvis Presley, died. Jon now tells of the night, he and a lady-friend, went to see Elvis' show at the "International Hotel" (now the "Westgate Resorts"), in the mid-70s. Jon and his lady-friend were invited backstage, and later to join Elvis and friends in the Elvis Suite. Seeing, all the beautiful ladies, with the band members going to their suites, Jon expected (being from Hollywood), nothing less than an orgy, etc. Jon was pleased, and relieved to find Elvis, with his dad Vernon, Ernest Borgnine and his wife, and the "Sweet Inspirations", J.D. and the Stamps, and "we all delightfully, talked about religion and sang spiritual songs until daylight". Elvis, was truly a good man and a man of deep faith in GOD! December 1974, Jon Astor developed the concept, that led to the development of the "People's Choice Awards" including the "Applauding Hands Award" itself (changed in 2010), as presented to Dick Atkins, at Procter & Gamble, in New York. (Shown on CBS-TV, from 1975 thru 2017-E! 2018 and last, on NBC-TV & E! December 7, 2021 and again, December 6, 2022.)

     Jason Miller, nominated for an Academy Award ("The Exorcist"), and Pulitzer Prize winner for his play "That Championship Season", and Jon were friends and business associates; Jon, rewrote "That Championship Season", featuring an all-Star Black cast for Broadway. (1979)

     Mr. Astor-White, is proud to have organized and syndicated the 1st. nationally televised star-studded NAACP "Image Awards", from the Hollywood Palladium; Hosted by, Byron Allen, featuring George Peppard, Tyne Daly, Georg Stanford Brown, Jayne Kennedy and starring "Anita Baker" (1983). That show, set the standard, for all of the televised NAACP "Image Awards" to date.

    Jon Astor-White, during his years in Hollywood, met and worked with many stars and was pleased to call them friends, such as; TROY DONAHUE, JACK LEMMON, "DONALD SUTHERLAND", "FRANK GORSHIN", "DON RICKLES", "STELLA STEVENS", "JACQUELINE BISSET", RAQUEL WELCH, ANGIE DICKINSON, DOLPH LUNDGREN, GRACE JONES, JIM BROWN, FRED "The Hammer" WILLIAMSON, RICHARD PRYOR and JACK PALANCE, who Jon, arranged to be in a commercial for local KCAL-TV, just to name a few. (To those who have passed on, they are listed for their friendship ; their work in the industry will live forever, may they "R.I.P").

   In late 1983, Jon Astor-White, moved to Las Vegas, and noticed the lack of quality, TV production originating from Las Vegas; Jon, first set up his production company "The Astor Corporation,Inc", and also established the Nat'l/Las Vegas Entertainment Hall Of Fame, Inc, which was recently changed to Nat'l/Las Vegas Entertainment & Sports Hall Of Fame, Inc. All to honor Entertainment and Sports personalities, during the "Hall Of Fame Weekend" featuring the "Vegas Star Awards" to be taped for a star-studded three (3) day weekend to rival the "Academy Awards", "Golden Globes" or "Tony Awards" in top ratings quality.

   Around June 2010, Darin Feinstein, Esq. took control of the Rio All-Suite Hotel's, showroom and named it, the "CROWN THEATER/NIGHTCLUB", (they also own the Viper Room, in L.A. CA.) Jon, just happened to meet Darin Feinstein, at an event, at the Crown Theater/Nightclub, shortly after Darin, took control. Jon Astor, was so impressed with Darin and his concept, to present live concerts, during the early evenings and convert to, a very lively and hot nightclub experience for late-night, that, Jon asked, if he could assist, in any way. Jon introduced Darin to Frank Luca, Matchmaker/Promoter, ironically for, CROWN BOXING INC. who among many other fights, also promoted the "HOLYFIELD/BOTHA", fight at the Thomas & Mack Center, in Las Vegas. Darin loved the idea, of staging live boxing events, in his very intimate 800 seat venue. The first boxing event was held, September 3, 2010, followed by another October 22, 2010, all very successful. The October, boxing event, was video taped, by our video crew at, Las Vegas Ent. & Sports TV, Inc. (also, Mr. Jon Astor-White, arranged and marketed , "CARNIVAL CABARET" and the "TWO KINGS", a Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, tribute show, presented at the CROWN THEATER, September 24-25, 2010, both shows, received raved reviews) Watch for other productions & shows; Along with "CROWN BOXING", we staged three (3) fights at the Rio; followed by more at the LVH (fmr. Hilton) now "Westgate".

   Mr. Astor-White, was Executive Producer, for the "SUPER SLOW JAM" Old School TV show, taped at the Universal Amphitheatre, October 1997. The show featured, "WAR", DENIECE WILLIAMS", "THE DELFONICS", "THE MANHATTANS", and many others. Shortly, there-after, Jon and an associate, presented the "Friends Of Distinction" and comedian John Byner in the showroom, at the Gold Coast Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also, Actor/Impressionist Frank Gorshin, was presented at the Gold Coast Hotel, in May 2002. Again, presenting the "Friends Of Distinction" on three different occasions, at the MGM Grand, between, 2002 and 2004. (NOTE: Harry Elston, leader and founder of the "Friends Of Distinction" passed on 3/4/25, may he R.I.P.)

   April 2006, Jon and percussionist, (with Neil Diamond) "King Errisson", took over the, very quaint and intimate (200 seats), showroom, at the Four Queens Hotel Casino, in Las Vegas, NV. First, to showcase, King Errisson's new show, which only lasted for a short time. King Errisson, decided to take a break. Jon, was able to bring in Bobby Ruffin's," Tribute To The Drifters" and Pete Barbutti, a well known local comedian, featured, many times on the "Tonight" show. That show ran for over four months.

  Mr. Astor-White, initially, established "Las Vegas Entertainment & Sports Television, Inc.(LVES-TV)" as a proposed Entertainment and Sports Television Network, and Production Company, June 2009, ( Updated to LVES-TV dba "White Star Entertainment" 2022) to best serve the Las Vegas, local community, and to produce quality "TV/Films", to be shown, around the world. In addition to producing, major entertainment and sports television specials, LVES-TV, under Mr. Jon Astor-White and his production team's, direction, they are developing, the following; "Vegas Superstars", a game show styled, like (Hollywood Squares), "Jazz On The Rocks", a weekly musical show, featuring known and unknown Jazz artist, "United Boxing Tournament", a boxing competition, to showcase up and coming boxers, " Vegas Talent Showcase", a weekly talent competition show, featuring, upcoming stars of the future, broadcasting, on our own LVES-TV "OTA" Network and our Broadcast and Streaming Partner Networks. LVES-TV has three (3) major TV/Film projects set for development (1) "Las Vegas O.C.U." a mini-series projection, about the present-day "Mob & Casino Business" (2) "Black and White",  about "Reverse Racism" (3) "Lewis & Clark P.I./Dynamic Duo", when two retired athletes  form their own "Private Investigation Agency". Watch, for the most anticipated, star-studded series of events, in the 100 year history of Las Vegas; the "HALL OF FAME WEEKEND" which features the "VEGAS STAR AWARDS", to launch our LVES-TV, 24/7, 365 days a year,  worldwide "OTA"  television network; set to debut, very soon, dates (TBA). Check it out and STAY TUNED!!

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