by Linda (Alberici) Eichberg
My Memories of The Golddiggers from 1973 through 1988
(Above photo starting from the bottom, left to right:
Robyn Whatley, Peggy Gohl, Maria Lauren, Joyce Garro, Frank Sinatra, Patti Gribow, Linda Eichberg)

Becoming an instant international Television celebrity at the age of nineteen was major culture shock for me. Until then I hadn't even been allowed to date, except for my high school proms.

I was a vocal music major in college when I read about the National Dean Martin Golddigger auditions being held in N.Y. These auditions were held in every major city in the U. S. After selecting woman from each city, there was a re-audition process in California. My sister Maria and I were selected along with six other talented ladies.

Television
Being a Golddigger was hard work. We had a very busy schedule. It took a week of rehearsals to produce each Dean Martin Show. Each week The Golddiggers were featured in group numbers with other guest stars like: Gene Kelly, Dom DeLuise, Georgia Engle and Tim Conway. Lee Hale, the Music Director, wrote special music for each of us to learn which featured our individual vocal talents. Working with Dean was a pleasure. He was good natured and made everyone feel comfortable. We also performed on other Television shows. "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson", The Jonathan Winters Show, and The Mike Douglas Show were just a few. [See video- Former Dean Martin Golddiggers].

Bobby Vinton and
The Alberici Sisters
(From bottom, left to right) Linda Eichberg, Maria Lauren, Bobby Vinton, Darlene Cianci

Vegas
When we were not making Television appearances, we were touring the world with our stage act. Some of our first jobs were at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where we opened for Petula Clark and then again for Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme. I still remember how extremely protective Edie was of Steve when we were around. I don't know what she was thinking but her reaction was pretty funny.

As Golddiggers we were frequently head-liners with Bobby Goldsboro at the Thunderbird Hotel. (Not as easy as All Slots Online Casino but it was the 1970s.)

We were also the opening act for Joan Rivers and regulars at Bally's and the MGM Grand with Dean. In between Golddigger jobs, I had the huge honor of returning to the MGM Grand in 1982 with my sisters to open for Bobby Vinton as The Alberici Sisters. Vegas was much more glamorous and formal in those days. I remember wearing evening gowns in the casinos.

My Favorite Tours
In the early 70's the Golddiggers toured the U.S. with Jerry Vale. I enjoyed our tour with him. He was a nice family man, whose family frequently visited him on the road. He had a sweet little daughter who we liked to dress up. I missed my brothers and sisters back home, so it was like home away from home.

The Golddiggers - Rat Pack Tour
Starting from the bottom, left to right: Maria Lauren, Robyn Whatley, Peggy Gohl, Linda Eichberg, Joyce Garro, Patti Gribow

My favorite tour was the Rat Pack Reunion Tour with Dean and Frank Sinatra. Frank was really a trip. He hung out with a crew that looked like the cast of the Soprano's. He always had body guards near by so I was a little intimidated by him. Many years later Frank surprised us when we were working with Dean at the Chicago Theater. We got to see his playful side. There was a knock at our dressing room door. Imagine my shock to see Frank Sinatra standing there. He asked us to hide him in our dressing room. We shared a few giggles and stories together. Headlines were made that night when Frank walked out in the middle of Dean's show and joined him in a song.

Frightening Golddigger Experiences
I had a frightening experience when we performed at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. I made the mistake of leaving by myself through the back door. I was mobbed by dozens of fans who were waiting there for autographs. It might sound exciting but it was pretty scary.

My most frightening experience was during The Bob Hope Tour. We had a private plane to travel from city to city. One time when the plane took off and got to 10,000 feet, the door, which I was sitting next to, opened about 4 feet! The girls closest to me grabbed me because they thought I was going to get sucked out of the plane. Luckily, a canvas strap kept the door from coming off completely.

Opening for Dean at Bally's
Starting from the bottom, left to right: Maria Lauren, Linda Eichberg, Peggy Gohl, Marie Halton

A Dean Story
When we were performing at Bally's, I had a medical emergency and had to be hospitalized. Dean was so sweet; he surprised my mom and my husband, who had to stay with me in Vegas, by paying their hotel bill. He also called and sent me the most beautiful roses. He was a gentleman, a class act all the way. The Golddiggers were too, what pros, 20 minutes before show time they found out I was on my way to the hospital. In that short time they were able to re-choreograph the show and cover my solo's. No one in the audience was the wiser.

My Favorite Gigs
Performing in Monaco at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club, was my favorite Golddigger job. That was where all the international jet set met. Just about every other man there was an Arab Prince. That's where I met a 19 year old Dodi Al-Fayed, (Princess Di's boy friend). Since he thought I was a "movie star", he asked me to look at a script for a movie he was thinking about producing. That movie was the famous "Chariot's of Fire". Years later my two sister's and I returned to Monte Carlo to perform for The Royal Family of Monaco as The Alberici Sisters. Our Sister Act went on to be a popular opening act for Jay Leno, Norm Crosby and others. [Read more in The Dean Martin Fan Center Magazine #34.]

In the 80's, The Golddigger group consisted of 6 ladies. At one point, when we toured with Milton Berle and Donald O'Connor, my sister Darlene joined the group. During that time the 3 Alberici sisters: Maria, Linda and Darlene, were half of the Golddigger group.

What I'm Doing Now
I performed with The Dean Martin Golddiggers off and on for 16 years. [Greg Garrison, our producer, would let me take off now and then, to do some TV acting or singing of my own]. It was an amazing time; but my life today is equally as rewarding and blessed. I thank God for that.

Right now (2007), I'm a mom to my 18 year old daughter, Lindsay, and wife to my wonderful husband, Steven Eichberg. I am still singing professionally and tap dancing. I also enjoy singing with my Church's Worship Team, practicing Yoga and raising money for AIDS Orphanages in South Africa.

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The Goldiggers!

November 7, 2016

History told by The Golddiggers!

 

- Short History of the Golddiggers
- More Golddigger Memories
- Linda (Alberici) Eichberg - My Memories
of The Golddiggers of 1973 - 1988
- Maria Lauren - Memories of The
Golddiggers Today & Yesterday
- Robyn Whatley - the Golden Days
- The Golddiggers at the 2009 Grammy Awards
- Dean Martin Roasts

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