Elvis: Still the King in Las Vegas!
Welcome to Las Vegas, where Elvis has definitely not left the building. The king of rock 'n' roll still reigns supreme in the "Entertainment Capital of the World." On the Las Vegas Strip, Elvis' spirit lives on in shows like "Legends in Concert." Hundreds of couples tie the knot in Las Vegas each year with "Elvis" officiating at their wedding.
Everywhere you look, from a restored neon sign that proclaims "Elvis slept here" to the $9.99 gold-rimmed sunglasses and sideburns at "World's Largest Gift Shop" on the corner of Sahara Avenue and the Strip, Elvis lives on. Graceland may be home to his shrine but it's Las Vegas that pays homage to the spirit of Elvis the entertainer.
Elvis in Vegas Today
Elvis in Vegas Timeline
Las Vegas has never forgotten the King. 365 days a year, the city celebrates the spirit of Elvis Presley in a variety of ways. Below, we've given you a chance to remember Elvis in his Vegas heyday 1969 - 1976.
The following timeline follows Elvis' Vegas appearances. The links will take you to articles and advertisements that appeared in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper during those years.
April 23 - May 9, 1956: Elvis' first Vegas appearance
- Elvis made his first appearance in Las Vegas at the New Frontier Hotel in the spring of 1956. Hotel hype praised the "atomic powered" singer.
- While the nation's youth was in the grip of Elvis hysteria and "Heartbreak Hotel" was No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts, audiences in Las Vegas gave Elvis a cool reception.
- Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret are in Las Vegas filming what would be Presley's 15th film, "Viva Las Vegas." The film wouldn't be released until June, 1964.
- Elvis Presley and Priscilla Anne Beaulieu are married in a private ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel.
July 31 - Aug. 28, 1969: The King is back
- Thirteen years after his first appearance, Elvis returns to Las Vegas. He is booked for a four-week, 57-show engagement at the newly built International Hotel. The show breaks all existing Las Vegas attendance records. Elvis' first live album is recorded during the shows.
January - February, 1970: A second appearance
- Elvis returns to Las Vegas for a month-long engagement at the International Hotel. Once again, Elvis breaks attendance records.
Aug. 10 - Sept. 7, 1970: A hit
- Another popular month-long appearance at the International Hotel. MGM films some of the rehearsals and stage performance for its documentary "Elvis - That's the Way It Is."
January - February, 1971
- Another month-long appearance at the International Hotel.
Aug. 9 - Sept. 6, 1971: Record audiences
- Elvis returns to Las Vegas and appears at the International Hotel (now called the Westgate Las Vegas). During his month-long appearance he is given the Bing Crosby Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. This award would later be renamed the Lifetime Achievement Award presented each year during the Grammy Awards. Elvis was 36 years old.
1972 - 1975: Elvis performs in Vegas
- Jan. 26 - Feb. 23, 1971: Elvis appears at the International.
- Jan. 26 - Feb. 23, 1973: Elvis appears at the International.
- Aug. 6 - Sept. 3, 1973: Elvis appears at the International.
- Jan. 26 - Feb. 9, 1974: Elvis appears at the International.
- Aug. 19 - Sept. 2, 1974: Elvis appears at the International.
- March 18 - April 1, 1975: Elvis appears at the International.
- Elvis opens at the Hilton (now called the Westgate Las Vegas), but ends his appearances on Aug. 20, 1975, when he is flown to Memphis and hospitalized.
Dec. 2-15, 1975
- Elvis returns to the Hilton (now called the Westgate Las Vegas) to make up for shows that were cancelled because of his ill health.
- Elvis appears at the Hilton (now called the Westgate Las Vegas) for a two-week engagement. It turns out to be his final Las Vegas appearance.
- Elvis dies at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. In Las Vegas, fans and friends mourn the passage of an entertainment and Vegas legend.