When we think of Las Vegas, the first two words that come to our mind are party and nightlife. We often forget one of the main ingredients of this lifestyle: music.
Vegas has an unbeatable live music culture, and some artists have truly dominated here. The city has been home to some of the best performers, and its stages have hosted legends for decades. Let’s check out the five musical legends that set the pace and put Las Vegas on the global map musically.
1. Elvis Presley: The Undisputed King of Vegas
Las Vegas and Elvis Presley are like conjoined twins: there’s literally no Vegas music story where he doesn’t have a legendary status. Presley was one of the pioneers of what has become Sin City’s music scene today, so the King gets the top spot for his great works.
Presley made his first Vegas appearance in 1956 and worked his way into becoming a hit. After dabbling in movies for a while, Presley promised to return to Vegas, and by 1969, he got his music career back on its feet through live shows that held the city down. The resuscitation came from a 4-week residency in Vegas that would later see King make the city his home.
Although Presley died in 1977, his presence remains constant with remnants of his legacy across the city even decades later.
2. Frank Sinatra: The Chairman Who Saw Las Vegas’ Future
If Presley was the King, Frank Sinatra was the Prince. In many ways, Sinatra contributed to the success of music and art in Vegas, especially through his influence as the Chairman of the Board at Reprise Records, which helped put Sin City on the map as a musical destination.
However, before becoming the boss of Las Vegas games and music, Sinatra had his spell as a solo artist, with a headlining appearance at the Desert Inn in 1951. Sinatra’s performances largely defined the city’s image as a sophisticated adult playground, as he stole hearts with his showmanship and suave glamour that represented what Vegas is all about. His music is well known as one of the clubbing anthems of the 2000s.
3. Liberace: The Great Showman Who Made Extravagance Cool
Talking about the Vegas music history without mentioning Liberace would be considered a blasphemy by his loyalists and fans. Liberace reigned with a piano, carving a different musical niche for himself during a time when Vegas wasn’t the same as it is today.
Liberace and his music made a significant impact on Sin City between the 1950s and 1960s. What set Liberace apart was his great showmanship, evident in his flamboyant style, unconventional outfits, and oversized stage presence.
Despite performing in Vegas only a few times, he was a fast-rising star who got so much love from fans, which was visible in his earnings during his peak.
4. Celine Dion: The Modern Artiste Who Changed the Game
Despite having Canadian roots, Celine Dion is one of the top artistes who shaped Vegas’ music scene with her powerful vocals and hit tracks. During her peak, Celine Dion had two groundbreaking residencies at Vegas: A New Day between 2003 and 2007 and Celine from 2011 to 2019.
The pop music star brought a mix of classic and modern feel to the Vegas music scene and was supposed to serenade fans with her voice for a third residency in 2021. However, that was called off for health reasons.
Still, Celine Dion will go down in Vegas history as one of the first to champion superstar music residencies in the city. It’s safe to say she played a major role in making Las Vegas a global destination for modern music folks, including Elton John, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears.
5. Britney Spears: The Pop Star Who Made Vegas Cool Again
Speaking of Britney Spears, Celine Dion walked so she could run and run she did! Many say she transformed the music scene in Las Vegas for modern fans and listeners. Looking at her track record, the assertion isn’t far-fetched.
With her 2013 residency in the city that ran for four years, Spears reminded everyone who cared to listen that the time of the old favourites was over and a new star was in town.
Today, Britney Spears is a model to new cats looking to make history as one of the musical legends to set Las Vegas on fire. Actress Millie Bobby Brown of Stranger Things fame even let slip earlier in the year that she’d love to play Britney if the opportunity was to arise.
Wrapping Up
The union between music and Las Vegas is one from the past, for the present, and will extend into the future. Many musical geniuses have made their mark, but many more opportunities abound to be part of Sin City’s history. Anyone visiting Vegas should check out the residency line-ups to get an unmatched experience.