Although Elvis Presley’s untimely death came in 1977 when the legendary singer was only 42 years of age, his memory still lives on and he is still a hugely important icon even today. One place in particular has a lot to thank the King of Rock and Roll for, and that’s the world-famous gambling hub Las Vegas. Elvis was one of the most important figures to make regular appearances at the Nevada city and help boost the appeal of the casino capital of the world. Here we discuss Elvis’s Vegas years, and how apparent it is that his spirit is still very much alive in every corner of Sin City today.

Early Years

Elvis made his Las Vegas debut in 1956 when he was 21 years old, just after the release of Heartbreak Hotel. The song was released on January 22nd that year, and by April it was a million-seller. This was Elvis’s first ever RIAA-certified gold record, and it went on to be the biggest-selling single of the year. But when the young singer first appeared at the New Frontier it was met with a mixed reception. Nevada magazine notes how this southern “Marvel from Memphis” was weird-looking to the people of Vegas, who were used to the cool style of the likes of Frank Sinatra. This early foray into the Vegas scene wasn’t the right time for the King, but later on – after he had established himself as a worldwide sensation – he came back and conquered. After that less than memorable first appearance in Sin City, Elvis had a busy few years. He went on to become a major star thanks to hits including Jailhouse Rock and All Shook Up, which both made the top five singles of 1957. Soon followed Elvis’s two year stint in the army in the late 50s, during which time he still managed to have ten top 40 hits including Hard Headed Woman and One Night. After being discharged as a sergeant, Elvis decided to focus on films during the early 60s, and the filming of Viva Las Vegas brought him back to the city where he would one day be regarded as a god. The 1964 comedy musical directed by George Sidney had little to do with gambling; instead, it featured Elvis as a singing race car driver.

Glory Years and Pop Culture

Elvis waited for 13 years after his initial foray into performing in Vegas to grace the stages of the gambling capital again. It was in 1969 at the grand opening of the International Hotel, which is now known as the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. The King of Rock and Roll had actually been studying Vegas, and by this point was an all-round entertainer, ready to blow the audience away. The highlight was when he closed the set with a six-minute rendition of his latest hit, Suspicious Minds. Elvis’s stepbrother Billy Stanley wrote in his autobiography that “the ‘rebel king’ was back on the top of his profession and the top of the world.” The rest is history. Elvis became the biggest sensation to hit Las Vegas in its long history, and the name has now become synonymous with the city. Take a walk down the strip and the flashing lights, songs, and imagery would lead you to believe that the iconic rocker was still alive. Even online casinos are grateful for Elvis’s contribution to one of the greatest gambling cities in the world. Slot games are usually known for being based on things that are predominant in popular culture, such as Jurassic Park and Game of Thrones which are both made by well-known online casino software developers Microgaming. Despite the fact that Elvis hasn’t been in mainstream pop culture since the 70s, there is an Elvis-themed slot game which pays tribute to the influence of the great musician. This highlights how his legend still lives on to this day, as a visit to the Official Elvis e-shop will also prove – the online store sells everything from kitchen aprons to Christmas stockings.

The Memory Still Lives on in Vegas

If you had been cryogenically frozen in 1975, defrosted today, and plonked down on the Las Vegas strip you would be inclined to think that the legendary rocker was still alive and kicking, and continuing to rock the hotels in the city. Elvis’s image can still be seen all over the place, with cut-outs of the singer in his prime welcoming players to a number of hot spots. There are also plenty of cover acts playing his best-loved songs, such as “All Shook Up” at Planet Hollywood. It’s testament to the star that he has become synonymous with one of the world’s liveliest entertainment cities. And, over 60 years since his first performance in Nevada, it seems fair to assume that his legend could live on for at least another 60.