gambling, 21, 27, 32–34, 95, 129, 241
“Black Book” of undesirables, 27, 85
Cal-Neva Lodge investigation, 85–86
Flamingo casino prototype, 24
high rollers, 73, 94, 118–19, 223
Hughes’s new rules, 142, 144
the mob and, 24, 27
temptations of, 121–22
Gaming Control Board, 27, 85, 86, 137
Gardner, Ava, 57, 65, 142
Garland, Judy, 11, 21, 31, 62, 95, 99–100, 113, 150
Garrett, Ron, 188
Garron, Jesse, 245
Geffen, David, 239
Geller, Larry, 131–32, 133, 175, 197
“Get out of the Stables . . .,” 5
Ghanem, Elias, 231, 233, 244
Giancana, Sam, 83, 84, 85, 86, 130
G.I. Blues (film), 81, 248
Gill, Pat, 247–49
Gillis, Ruth, 93–94
Gladys Knight and the Pips, 154, 155
Godfather, The (film), 97
Golden Boy (Broadway show), 89
Goldstein, Richard, 174, 204
“Good Luck Charm,” 81, 218
Goodman, Benny, 45, 98, 125
Goodman, Oscar, 245
Gormé, Eydie, 75, 94, 99, 141, 227
Goulet, Robert, 12, 76, 99, 140
Goulet, Vera, 76, 140
Grant, Cary, 190, 194, 200, 249
Grant, Gogi, 149
Gray, Wardell, 37
Great American Songbook, 60, 77
Greco, Buddy, 12, 98–99
Green, Abel, 29, 52, 141
Greenbaum, Gus, 25
Greene, Shecky, 4, 5, 7–8, 11, 70–71, 94, 118, 119–22, 124
Green Felt Jungle, The (Reid and Demaris), 123
Greenspun, Hank, 58, 86, 110
Greenwood, Lee, 153
Gregory, Don, 157
Greko, Dimos, 246
Griffin, Merv, 237–38
Griffith, Andy, 147
Griffith, R. E., 22
Grossman, Albert, 204
Guercio, Joe, 208, 227
“Guitar Man,” 167
Gunther, John, 28
Guralnick, Peter, 103, 168
Guys and Dolls (Broadway show), 37, 85
Gyarmathy, Michel, 43
Hackett, Buddy, 11, 16, 94, 117–19, 120, 121, 158
Hackett, Sandy, 118
Haggard, Merle, 180
Hair (Broadway show), 219
Hamilton, George, 194
Hampton, Lionel, 98, 125
“Hard Day’s Night, A,” 88
Hardin, Glen D., 180, 225–26, 229
Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, 245–46
Havana, Cuba, 10
“Hava Nagila,” 149
Hawkins, Dale, 180
Haymes, Dick, 31
Hayworth, Rita, 31, 190
“Heartbreak Hotel,” 3, 5, 167, 197, 205–6
Helldorado Days, 21
Hello, America! show, 109, 128
Henderson, Florence, 141
Henry, Hank, 76
Henry, Pat, 16
Hentoff, Margot, 197
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, 147
Herman, Woody, 98, 125, 126
“Hey Jude,” 198
“Hey There,” 64
High Button Shoes (Broadway show), 11
Hilburn, Robert, 227
Hill, Virginia, 25
Hilton, Barron, 244
Hilton hotel chain, 139, 237
Hodge, Charlie, 179, 185, 193, 199, 215, 236
Holiday Inn, 139
Holly, Buddy, 81, 226
Hoover, J. Edgar, 83
Hoover Dam, 21, 23, 125
Hope, Bob, 11, 68, 96, 110
Hopper, Hedda, 40, 68, 82
Horne, Lena, 25, 55
“Hound Dog,” 7, 34, 198
Houston, Cissy, 183, 186, 209
How Great Thou Art (album), 183
Hughes, Howard, 17, 136–42, 146, 161, 168, 190, 199, 237
Hull, Thomas, 22
Hullabaloo (TV show), 166
Humperdinck, Engelbert, 189, 238
Hunt-Bono, Lorraine, 33, 59, 140
Hutton, Betty, 30
“I Can’t Stop Loving You,” 164, 198, 206
“If Ever I Would Leave You,” 99
“If I Can Dream,” 167–68
“If I Had a Hammer,” 152
“I Got a Woman,” 197, 229
“I Got Plenty of Nothin’,” 191
“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” 96
“I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” 164
Imperials, 183, 186, 200, 210–11, 214
“Impossible Dream, The,” 195
“I’m Sorry,” 150
“I’m Walking behind You,” 100
International Hotel (later Las Vegas Hilton), 17, 18, 102, 165, 169, 170, 177, 187, 190, 217–18, 219, 223, 237
Always Elvis Festival, 244
Elvis and, 18, 169–70, 218, 219
Elvis comeback show (July 31, 1969), 9, 17, 18, 173, 174, 178–88, 189, 192–204, 248
Elvis Presley Showroom, 244
Elvis show profits, 215–16
Elvis shows (1970–71), 226–28, 232
Elvis shows/long-term contract, 205–10, 216–19, 225, 230
Elvis suite, 210–11, 230–31
orchestra, 183–84, 207, 227
Showroom Internationale, 185, 195
“In the Ghetto,” 171–72, 198, 201, 206, 218
“I Only Have Eyes for You,” 85
Irwin, Stan, 28, 35–36, 95, 99, 107, 116, 163
It Happened at the World’s Fair (film), 104
“It’s Nice to Go Traveling,” 79
“It’s Not Unusual,” 163
“It’s Now or Never,” 81, 233
“It Was a Very Good Year,” 89, 148
“I’ve Got the World on a String,” 148, 243
“I’ve Got You under My Skin,” 90
Ivins, Molly, 239–40
“I Wanna Be Around,” 154
Jackson, Jerry, 111, 112, 127
Jackson, Michael, 243, 248
Jacobs, George, 77, 78, 83
Jahn, Mike, 203–4
“Jailhouse Rock,” 176, 197, 240
Jailhouse Rock (film), 178
James, Harry, 13, 183
James, Mark, 171, 212
Jameson, Ed, 6
Jarvis, Felton, 199
Jeffrey, Terry Mike, 214–15
Jessel, George, 25
Johansson, Ingemar, 67
John, Elton, 18, 243
“Johnny B. Goode,” 198
Johnson, Bob, 6
Johnson, Norm, 12
Johnson, Van, 30
Joker Is Wild, The (film), 59
Jones, Dylan, 18, 206
Jones, James, 58
Jones, Quincy, 89
Jones, Tom, 163–65, 169, 183, 185, 189, 194, 213, 222
Jordanaires, 183
“Just a Gigolo,” 45
“Just One of Those Things,” 60
Kaaihue, Mary Kaye, 32–34
Kaaihue, Norman, 32–33
Kane, Walter, 140–41, 161
Kara, Sonia, 110–11, 128
Katleman, Beldon, 42
Kay, Gilbert, 66
Kaye, Danny, 72, 94
Kazan, Lainie, 123, 212–13
Kefauver, Estes, 27
Kelly, Margaret (Madame Bluebell), 38
Kennedy, John F., 10, 65, 71–72, 82–83, 86, 87
Kennedy, Robert F., 82, 83, 124–25, 156
Kenton, Stan, 125
“Kentucky Rain,” 171, 227
Kerkorian, Kirk, 139, 168–69, 183–84, 187, 189–90, 194, 199, 219, 228, 237
Kim Sisters, 43
King, Sonny, 34, 76, 98
King Creole (film), 102
“King of the Road,” 152
Kitt, Eartha, 147
KLAS-TV, 138
Klein, Dennis, 16, 98, 114, 120
Klein, George,
133, 171, 212
Knievel, Evel, 11
Korshak, Sidney, 124
Kosloff, Jake, 32–33
Kozikowski, Nancy, 6–7
Kramer, Stanley, 80
Kristofferson, Kris, 235
Kubrick, Stanley, 228
labor unions, 141
Lacker, Marty, 133, 171, 212
Lady Gaga, 243
“Lady Is a Tramp, The,” 61, 69, 98
“Lady Loves Me, The,” 105
Lafaye, Georges, 43
La Guardia, Fiorello, 40
Lahr, Bert, 100
Lahr, John, 58
Laine, Frankie, 25, 28
Lamas, Fernando, 31
Landau, Jon, 168
Landmark Hotel, 138, 157, 190
Lanning, Bob, 226
Lansky, Meyer, 24
Lanza, Mario, 2, 184, 224
Las Vegas
American culture and, 15, 31, 52, 90, 238–39, 243
architectural traditions in, 146
audiences, 3, 5, 44, 115, 152, 159, 219, 220, 239, 240, 241
best all-around entertainer in, 64
biggest casino, 169
biggest hotels, 190, 237
Elvis comeback and (1969), 173–224
Elvis documentary, 228–30
as Elvis getaway, 8, 51, 81, 103, 130, 131
Elvis impersonators, 19, 244–47
Elvis mania, 228
Elvis memorabilia, 245, 247
Elvis’s last show, 235–36
Elvis’s show as new standard, 223
Elvis tribute shows, 19, 243, 244, 245, 247–48
Elvis wedding chapels, 19, 246–47
entertainment as kitsch, 13–14, 243
entertainer perks, 95
entertainer salaries, 29, 30, 95, 116, 139–40, 147, 170, 216, 236–37, 240
as entertainment capital, 9, 92–134
entertainment characteristics, 15–16
as “family-friendly,” 17, 19
greatest homegrown star, 159
greatest lounge acts, 15, 47
hotels competing for top acts, 94–95
importance of, to careers, 95–99
nudity and, 16, 39, 40, 41–42, 43–44
number of visitors (1994), 242
production shows, 11, 16, 37–44
record for headlining in, 96
record for most appearances, 163
record for show attendance, 215–16
“residencies,” 18, 223, 243
rock ’n’ roll and, 34–35, 219–20
as set location, 31, 104, 249
show-business legends in, 11
shows, format, 32
shows, new business model, 216
spirit of, 249
television and, 10, 113
temptations of, 121–23, 211
tourist industry, 20, 21, 29, 31–32, 92
treatment of entertainers, early, 12–13
TV variety shows and, 31
women of, 122–23
See also Presley, Elvis; Sinatra, Frank
Las Vegas history, 20–52
1940s, 26
1950s, 30–31, 51–52
1950–60s, 29, 52, 107
1960s, 10–13
1960s–70s, 16–17, 135–72, 188–89, 237–38
air travel to, 92
atomic testing and, 31–32
birth of entertainment in, 9
business plan, 29–30
city’s growth, 9–10, 11, 20, 23, 26–29
corporate hotel owners, 139, 169, 237
culture change and, 16–17, 71, 135–36, 148–58, 188–89, 219
Disneyfication, 241
divorce laws and, 21–22
Elvis’s role in changing, 9, 17–19, 215–16, 219, 221, 223, 236–37, 240, 244
Entratter’s role in changing, 28
first arena-sized venue, 240–41
first resort hotel, 22
first “themed” resort, 146
first topflight entertainment, 21, 22
gambling and, 20–21, 24, 27
golden age, 9, 10, 14–15
headliner show reborn in, 44–49
Helldorado Days, 21
Hughes’s role in changing, 136–46
lounge show innovation, 32–34, 155
the mob, 23–27, 123–25, 136–39, 237
modern era: the new Vegas, 241–43
racial issues and, 35–37, 45, 65, 93–94, 129, 141
television’s impact on, 92–93
World War II and, 23
Las Vegas showgirls, 11, 12, 16, 32, 39–42, 55, 108, 110, 126–30, 140
Las Vegas Story (film), 31
Las Vegas Strip and hotels, 1–2, 9, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 36, 41–42, 47, 51–52, 53, 94–95, 146, 237
Latin Quarter, NYC, 44
Laughlin, Jack, 21
Law, David and Denise, 247
Lawford, Patricia Kennedy, 65
Lawford, Peter, 10, 56, 65, 66–73, 79, 82–83, 87, 124, 149
Lawrence, Steve, 94, 99, 141, 227
Laxalt, Paul, 137
Lazar, Swifty, 62
Led Zeppelin, 220
Lee, Brenda, 149–50, 193
Lee, Peggy, 99, 191
Le Lido club, Paris, 38
Lennon, John, 151–52, 156, 204
Lennon Sisters, 156
Leonard, Jack E., 114, 117
Leone, Frank, 125, 207, 227
Lester, Buddy, 76
“Let It Be Me,” 226
Levitch, Harry, 133
Levy, Shawn, 71
Lewis, Jerry, 14, 25, 28, 44, 54, 55, 63, 71, 89, 94, 99, 112, 238
Lewis, Jerry Lee, 120, 238
Lewis, Joe E., 26, 40, 59, 72, 114
Lewis, Maxine, 22, 25, 47
Lewis, Ron, 108, 111, 127, 128, 129
Liberace, 6, 8, 13, 26, 44, 47–51, 94, 95
Elvis and, 49–51, 262
Streisand and, 101–2, 191
Liddell, Jack, 21
Lido de Paris (show), 11, 16, 39–41, 42, 95, 107, 109, 110, 127, 128, 242
Lieberman, Frank, 210
“Light My Fire,” 148
“Lipstick on Your Collar,” 149
Little, Rich, 122, 140–41, 212
Little Anthony and the Imperials, 154
“Little Less Conversation, A,” 171, 172
Little Richard, 81, 154, 177
Live a Little, Love a Little (film), 171
Live from the Sahara (album), 96
Lobato Dancers, 127
Loesser, Frank, 85
Lombard, Carole, 22
“Lonely Boy,” 82
“Long Tall Sally,” 5
Lopez, Jennifer, 243
Lopez, Trini, 152, 222
Lorre, Peter, 67
Los Angeles Times reviews, 43, 54, 68, 110, 148, 164, 191, 192, 227
Louis, Joe, 36
lounge shows, 32–34, 94, 97–98, 111, 114, 119–20, 153, 159, 222
Elvis dropping in on, 222–23
parody of, 99, 239
Prima and, 44–47
“Love Me,” 167
“Love Me Tender,” 80, 197, 233, 234, 246
Love Me Tender (film), 8
Luft, Sid, 100
Luxor Hotel, 241
“MacArthur Park,” 155–56
Mackie, Bob, 240
“Mack the Knife,” 156
MacLaine, Shirley, 62, 75, 127
Mad Mod World (dance show), 153
Maheu, Robert, 137, 140, 141, 145
“Makin’ Whoopee,” 101
Maldonado Dancers, 127
Mancini, Henry, 194
Mandrell, Barbara, 238
Mann, May, 191
Martin, Dean, 14, 19, 25, 44, 63, 64, 66, 73, 75, 76, 88–89, 98, 112, 127, 130, 147, 150, 158, 180, 188, 189, 238
drunk persona, 63–64, 84, 114, 238
Elvis and, 80–81, 226
Entratter and, 28, 54, 55, 63
Rat Pack and, 10, 56, 62–64, 66�
��73, 84–85, 97
Sands debut, 63
Sinatra incident at birthday, 143
Vegas salary, 147, 170
Martin, Deana, 80–81
Martin, Freddy, 4, 5
Martin, Jeannie, 75
Martin, Tony, 12
Mary Kaye Trio, 32–34, 97
Mason, Jackie, 143–44
Massagli, Mark, 126
Mastin, Will, 64
Mata, Sister Daya, 132
Mathis, Johnny, 99
Mature, Victor, 31
Matz, Peter, 150
McGuire, Phyllis, 85, 130
McKee, Kathy, 128–29
McKusick, Jim, 188
McLain, Denny, 11
Meadow Larks (band), 21
Meadows Club, 21
Medford, Lisa, 74, 129
Medley, Bill, 222–23
Meet Me in Las Vegas (film), 31
Meltzer, Richard, 14
“Memories,” 167, 171, 172, 198, 212, 224
“Memories Are Made of This,” 64
Merman, Ethel, 11, 94
Merrill, Robert, 55
MGM Grand, 237
MGM Studios, 57, 62, 65, 105, 106, 166, 228, 237
Milestone, Lewis, 66
Miller, Bill (entertainment booker), 28–29, 45, 169, 170, 178, 193, 237
Miller, Bill (pianist), 57, 60, 69
Miller, Roger, 152
Miller, Ross, 124
Millionaires, 126
Mills, Gordon, 163
Milton Berle Show, The (TV show), 3
Minnelli, Liza, 111, 248
Minsky, Harold, 40
Minsky’s Follies (show), 16, 40, 42
Mint Hotel, 128
Mirage Hotel, 241–42
Miranda, Carmen, 110
Mistinguett, 38
mob (organized crime), 23–28, 36, 54, 57, 59, 69, 82–83, 95, 123–25, 136–39, 141, 238
Elvis kept away from, 217
end of Vegas domination, 237
Mod Squad (group), 153
Moman, Chips, 171, 172, 176, 179, 212, 218
“Mona Lisa,” 149
“Money Honey,” 5
Moore, Garry, 113
Moore, Mary Tyler, 170
Moore, Scotty, 4, 167, 179–80, 182
Morelli, Antonio, 60, 125
Morris, Bobby, 46, 183, 191, 201, 205, 207, 227
Moscheo, Joe, 200
Moses, Ann, 201
Moulin Rouge (hotel), 36–37
Moulin Rouge (show), 246
“Mr. Cole Won’t Rock ’n’ Roll,” 149
Mr. Wonderful (Broadway show), 64
Muhoberac, Larry, 180, 181, 182, 185, 205, 225
Murray, Bill, 99, 239
Murray, Jan, 162
Muscelli, Emilio, 216
Musicians Union, 126
“My Funny Valentine,” 191
“My Heart Will Go On,” 243
“My Kind of Town,” 90
“Mystery Train,” 198, 204, 206
“My Way,” 98, 148
My Way (Anka), 12–13
Naff, Nick, 165
Napier, John, 242
Nash, Alanna, 217
Nelson, Ricky, 180, 181, 186
Nelson, Willie, 238
Never So Few (film), 65
Newhart, Bob, 11, 73, 94, 96, 115, 116, 123, 140
Newley, Anthony, 11, 147
Elvis in Vegas : How the King of Rock 'n' Roll Reinvented the Las Vegas Show (9781501151217) Page 30
