Chippendales dancers
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Chippendale dancers are a group of men who provocatively dance for a primarily female audience. They are best known as being shirtless, muscular and wearing little else but bow ties, white cuffs and black spandex pants.
The original "Chippendales" nightclub was started by Indian immigrant and entrepreneur Somen "Steve" Banerjee. After owning a Mobil gas station and a failed backgammmon club, he used a small investment to purchase a failed Los Angeles club named "Destiny II". Originally, Chippendales had female mud wrestling and a 'Male Exotic Dancing Night' for the ladies. It was the first one of its kind in the USA. Banerjee established a relationship with choreographer Nick DeNoia, who had won an Emmy Award directing children's shows, in the early 1980's. Nick was talented and driven. He recruited the 'best looking' men to bring women's fantasies to life, not just strip tease. There is no doubt he played a major role in the successes that made Chippendales a world-famous institution.
[edit] Somen "Steve" Banerjee
Banerjee repeatedly attempted to stifle competition through the recruitment of an arsonist to burn down clubs nearby. For Chippendales, the entirety of the early 1980's was filled with major lawsuits pertaining to personal injury and discrimination. In 1987, the company filed for bankruptcy and began reorganization. Also in 1987, Banerjee and Nick DeNoia had a falling out over touring rights to Chippendales. DeNoia sued Banerjee, claiming he had violated a term of their agreement which entitled DeNoia to most of the control of the touring rights for Chippendales. In April of 1987 DeNoia was found murdered in his NYC office, having been shot with a single bullet. Rumors emerged that Banerjee had arranged the hit. In 1988, the original "Chippendales" club was shut down after losing its liquor license and fire permit. The group became solely a touring opportunity with Banerjee maintaining control.
In 1990 and 1991, Banerjee enlisted ex-con Ray Colon. He wanted a former Chippendales' choreographer and protege of Nick DeNoia, Mike Fullington, as well as two previous Chippendales dancers to be killed. At the time the targets were touring Great Britain, where they had joined the Adonis club, a competitor of Chippendales'. Rather than do the deed himself, Colon attempted to hire a hitman to do the job. The man was an FBI informant. An entire conversation between Colon and the hitman setting up the hit was recorded. The informant brought the evidence to the US Embassy. Colon had a meeting with Banerjee in Zurich to discuss the planned killings where he was wired for sound. In 1993, Banerjee was indicted on counts of conspiracy and attempting to hire a hitman. His bail was denied due to the statements of Ray Colon, who claimed that Banerjee had told him that he intended to pay a private pilot $25K to fly him back to India without a passport, or to commit suicide, if he were caught for his acts. Soon after, his charges were expanded to include the hired hit of Nick DeNoia. Banerjee eventually pleaded guilty to attempted arson, racketeering, and murder for hire. He entered into a plea agreement that would lead to 26 years in prison, loss of his share of the Chippendales' parent company, and most of his estate. An ever devoted family man, Banerjee took his own life by hanging himself in his cell during the early morning hours of Oct. 23, 1994, hours away from his sentencing. Due to the fact he committed suicide before his trial was completed, the entirety of his share in the Chippendales' corporation and his estate were securely passed on to his family.
[edit] Chippendale Shows
Chippendales currently do shows at the Rio in Las Vegas as well as other places around the world.
