Neon Signage designed by Brian "Buzz" Leming
On Thursday, June 5th we are saluting Neon Designers Brian "Buzz" Leming and the incomparable Betty Willis as part of our "Untold Stories" at the Springs Preserve.
Betty Willis was born and raised in Las Vegas. Her family used to travel by train to Los Angeles when she was younger and she fell in love with neon signs and their vibrant colors. After studying at the California Art Institute in Pasadena and working in the art department/marketing at the old MGM studios, she returned to Las Vegas and began her career as a Neon Designer in those halycon classic Las Vegas days. She has designed many of the most iconic signs we associate with Las Vegas: The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, the Moulin Rouge and the Blue Angel, just to name a few.
Brian "Buzz" Leming grew up in Henderson and always loved drawing. He became a fireman with the local department before deciding that what he really wanted to do was design neon signs. He mentored under Betty Willis and worked with the legendary Hermon Boergne and Kermit Wayne. His signs include the Lawless Center (above), the Hacienda Horse and Rider that rides above Fremont Street and the Rio sign. He was part of the design team on the original Aladdin Sign and the original Caesars Palace sign. Buzz is retiring this year after a long and colorful career.
We will be raffling off three limited edition prints of the Fabulous Las Vegas sign, courtesy of our friends at the Las Vegas News Bureau.
It all happens on Thursday, June 5th at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve
7:00 pm
Admission is $12.
You won't want to miss this rare opportunity to hear these two greats talk about their careers.
Special thanks to RoadsidePictures for letting us use these images.