Page "Red Nichols" Paragraph 20

In 1965 Nichols took his Five Pennies band to Las Vegas, to play at the then-new Mint Hotel.

He was only a few days into the date when, on June 28, 1965, he was sleeping in his suite and was awakened by paralyzing chest pains.

He managed to call the front desk and an ambulance was summoned, but it arrived too late.

That night the band went on as scheduled, but at the center of the band a spotlight pointed down at an empty chair in Nichols ’ customary spot.

Red ’ s bright and shiny cornet sat alone on the chair.

Around it swirled the “ happy music ” Nichols had loved all his life.