In Sunday’s Raiders-Steelers game, a legendary NFL rivalry meets WWE and Michael Jackson tribute shows.

All during the national anthem.

WWE ring announcer and Vegas singer Samantha Irvin performs the national anthem prior to the rivalry at Allegiant Stadium. Irvin’s participation in the game’s entertainment is a way to remind fans of Wrestlemania 41, over two nights April 19-20, also at Allegiant Stadium. (And wasn’t it the Raider legend George Atkinson who introduced ‘The Lariat’ to athletic competition?)

Irvin is also an accomplished stage performer, both in Las Vegas and nationally. The singer whose legal name is Samantha Johnson has appeared in Cirque’s “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay, and by David Saxe “Vegas! The Show” at Saxe Theater Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

Irvin was the lead singer in the Jackson tribute production “Thriller” and performed on “America’s Got Talent” and “I Can See Your Voice.” We’ll see more of her in her WWE role next spring.

What else…is Irwin’s nickname Samantha De Bomband she has a tattoo of the cover of The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ on her right bicep.

Ex-Raiders defensive back Vann McElroy will light the Al Davis Memorial Torch during pre-game. McElroy was a third-round draft pick in ’82. He played nine seasons, 101 games (88 starts) with 31 interceptions and a touchdown. McElroy was a member of the Raiders’ Super Bowl XVIII victory over Washington.

The torch lighting tradition debuted on October 18, 2011, when John Madden fired the flame. In Las Vegas, Carol Davisthe widow of Al Davis and the First Lady of Raider Nation, was the first to light the flame on September 21, 2020.

As always, we recommend getting to the stadium about an hour before kick-off, which is Sunday at 1:05 PM.

The halftime artist is being kept quiet for the time being. A person may or may not be named after a state. David Perrico and the Raiders House Band – which continues its 10 p.m. Friday shows at Ellis Island’s Front Yard – will perform all season. Join us at Club Kats, which is what I’m talking about now, the space between the Davis Torch and the main stage. Grooving is, as always, optional.

The Franco moment

The rivalry between the Raiders and Steelers was intense in the 1970s, but led to long friendships in the decades that followed. Franco Harris and ex-Raiders linebacker Phil Villapiano became close in the years after retirement. This is despite Harris racing past Villapiano (who looks like he was clipped during the play) during the ‘Immaculate Reception’.

The mutual respect was evident at the Raiders celebration in Canton, Ohio, in August 2022 after Cliff Branch was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Harris arrived halfway through the party and it was as if the crowd was coming toward him.

Several Raiders greats (Charles Woodson, Tim Brown, Marcus Allen And Raymond Chester among them) and even non-Raiders stars (ex-Bills Jim Kelly And Bruce Smith and former oilman Warren Moon) waded over to say hello.

Harris would die in December. This event was one of his last public appearances. On a night when Diana Ross closed the show, Franco was in the spotlight.

Coming soon

As for spotlights, there are a few shows coming up in VegasVille:

– Motown Legend Smoky Robinson returns to Encore Theater in Wynn on April 2 and April 4-5. This is Robinson’s 50th anniversary production, so we’re anticipating all the hits (ducats are on sale now at TicketMaster.com or VenetianLasVegas.com).

We ran into Robinson this month at the Dream Awards at Aliante’s Access Showroom, where he and Johnny Gill by New edition honoree introduced Jeffery Osborne. The performance was iconic – iconic, I tell you! All those guys can still deliver.

— Speaking of which, New Edition is back on Encore on October 30 and November 1-2. Watch for my conversation with Bobby Brown ahead of that opening date. To say he lived a life is putting it mildly. But we shared a sandwich and great conversation a few weeks ago at the place Herb Caen often called El Lay.

– Electronic artist Anyma makes its Strip nightclub debut on December 30 at Wynn’s XS Nightclub. Anyma joins The Chainsmokers, Swedish House Mafia and Elaine Wynn as famous people who have performed at the nightclub.

Anyma’s Wynn debut coincides with his headlining slot at Sphere in Afterlife’s ‘The End Of Genesys’, also premiering on December 30.

— Promote the people plays on February 8 at the BleauLive Theater in Fontainebleau. It’s the platinum-selling rockers’ ‘Paradise State of Mind’ tour; tickets go on sale October 15 at fontainebleaulasvegas.com. The announcement is accompanied by the release of “Lost in Space PNAU Remix,” which will be out “everywhere,” the band says.

— The Venetian Theater continues its strong headlining run with Atlanta outfit Collective soul on January 17 and 18, followed by the return of tireless classic rockers Styx on January 24, 25, 29, 31 and February 1, 2025. Tickets for all these shows can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

— Top comedian/actor Jim Gaffigan returns from May 28 to 31 at Encore Theater (available for purchase through TicketMaster.com). Gaffigan usually sells out the tent. We’ll know within a month if he is Tim Walz impression still plays a role.

Gaffigan debuted the role in the season 50 opener of “SNL,” presented by Jean Slimand returned last weekend, which was hosted by fellow headliner Encore Theater Nate Bargatze. Bargatze has nine dates booked at the Encore Theater from January 8 to March 22.

We can recommend

The great singing impressionist Bob Anderson returns to the Italian American Club Showroom October 18-19. He pays double tribute to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, with fine voice and full make-up for both legends (for information and tickets, visit IAC.com).

Anderson is supported by the Joey Singer sextet, led by the great Vegas pianist and bandleader. The shows are at 8 p.m., visit iacvegas.com for information.

Anderson’s extensive schedule shows impressive agility while touring and includes performances at Niagara Falls Casino, Los Cerritos Center in California, Fontainebleau in Miami Beach and two shows at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall on December 21. This is Anderson’s second visit to the palatial New York City venue, following his debut at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage in December ’21.

Tease this…

A few days ago we teased a country act coming to Sphere. Several astute readers/followers already guessed it Zac Brownbandafter Brown told the comic/podcast host Theo Von he was developing a show for the spherical wonder. But we’re hearing from multiple informed sources Kenny Chesney plans to play Sphere. As they say, we’ll stick around and find out.

ZB’s retro kick

Let’s Cool Hang Alert “Jeopardy!” play, shall we?

“Zowie Bowie for $500, Kats.

“The answer: country, folk, polka.”

“What are some styles of music that Zowie Bowie hasn’t tried?”

“That’s right!”

Founder of Zowie Bowie Chris Phillipswhich has gone Top 40 in nearly two decades in VegasVille, vintage Vegas big band, some rap and EDM, takes on a new format with ‘Retrovoxx’, an ’80s New Wave revival.

The production’s debut is Sunday at 8:30 p.m Ken Hendersons Fame live. Phillips and his three-piece band call Depeche Mode, Duran Duran and (yes) a bit of David Bowie, with a modern punch.

“I want a show that makes people feel good, without the stress of today’s world,” said Phillips, who celebrates his 58th birthday at midnight. “It’s an experience, more than a cover band.”

Cool Hang warning

Singer-songwriter from Nashville Zach Ryan is Sunday 6 p.m. and country, Southern rock, blues and R&B band Noah and the Marshals are Monday 6 p.m. at Ole Red Las Vegas. Blake Shelton’s Strip-facing Fortress has solid performances all week. No cover. Visit OleRed.com for information.

John Katsilometes’ column appears daily in the A-section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. To follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.