Steve Rossi, Of Comedy Team Allen & Rossi, Dead At 82

By Kyle Dowling k.dowling@musictimes.com | Jun 23, 2014 12:34 PM EDT

Steve Rossi, one half of the comedy duo Allen & Rossi, alongside Marty Allen, died just yesterday at the age of 82-years-old. The duo gained national recognition on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and went on to become one of the most revered comedy duos on the industry.

Rossi unfortunately suffered from cancer of the esophagus, liver and lungs, but was reportedly in no pain towards the end, according to his friend of 40 years, Michael Flores.

Flores recently stated, "I met every major entertainer in the country through Stevie, and I'm going to miss him." Flores was the manager of the Silver Nugget casino around the time Rossi was producing burlesque shows.

While Allen & Rossi received an immense amount of recognition through "The Ed Sullivan Show" – making multiple appearances with The Beatles – the duo also appeared frequently performed on a slew of other variety shows including, "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson" and "The Merv Griffin Show."

The duo also toured the country playing comedy clubs and headlining shows in Las Vegas casinos in the 1960s.

While they split up back in 1968, Rossi's comedy partner remembers the days, telling the Las Vegas Sun, "There wasn't a show on TV that didn't want Allen & Rossi."

Rossi was known for mingling with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Rich Little. After word of his death spread, friend and fellow Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton told the paper, "He was a great man and a great friend." 

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