Maybe you want to visit Las Vegas or even move here to enjoy the thrill of the Entertainment Capital of the World. So, what comes first to your mind when you think about Las Vegas? OK, gambling of course. But after that? Probably some iconic music residencies! Artists such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Elton John, Gwen Stefani and Britney Spears have graced the sinful Las Vegas with their presence for decades. Residencies in Las Vegas are definitely a thing to see!
Once you move to Las Vegas, you will probably want to know what is there to see. As you will discover, there is so much to see and do, you’ll probably need to spend more than your vacation time allows. In any case, music shows should be on your list as it is an experience like none other!
Elvis Presley
The legendary rock musician has performed 837 consecutive, sold-out concerts in Las Vegas, between 1969 to 1976. An interesting fact is that Elvis was in Vegas on a tour in 1956, but his shows were so poorly received by the middle-aged conservative patrons that it was canceled after only two weeks. Around a decade later, no one dreamt that the canceled artist will earn a stellar amount of money playing shows there!
Celine Dion
Between Elvis Presley’s time and Celine’s a lot of water has passed under the bridge. In the meantime, Vegas became a place ‘where artists go to die’. This means, after the peaks of their careers, artists in decline had the Vegas offer to keep earning money but no more international tours and the fame was about to fade.
One artist changed the fate of all future residencies in Las Vegas: her majesty Celine Dion. She managed to make a one-of-a-kind performance, mixing concert, performance, and state-of-the-art new technology, for spectacular shows which lasted from 2003 to 2007. After her, artists didn’t look at residencies in Las Vegas as the final straw of their careers, but rather a place where they can be throned and like sovereigns attract fans to them, instead of moving around the globe doing the exhausting tours.
Mariah Carey
Mariah has definitely marked the Las Vegas nightlife during her residencies held at the Caesars Palace Colosseum. First time in 2009, Live at the Pearl, succeeded by #1 to Infinity from 2015-2017, and finally this years – 2018 tour which started just in July, The Butterfly Returns. Oh, did we mention Mariah Carey has an annual concert named All I want for Christmas is You, A Night of Joy and Festivity every year since 2014?
She is currently back in residence there, which makes it a perfect opportunity to see the diva that made such heights during her prolific career.
Guns ‘n’ Roses
This iconic rock band took the stage in Las Vegas twice. First time in 2012, under the title Appetite for Democracy, and the second time in 2014 under the name of No Trickery! An Evening of Destruction. The first one has consisted of only 12 nights at the Hard Rock Cafe and Casino. Despite that, it was a memorable Las Vegas residency!
Elton John
Another superstar musician, Elton John performed 75 concerts at Caesars Palace from 2004 through 2009 under the residency name The Red Piano. His second residency, The Million Dollar Piano, opened in 2011 at the same place and it ended in May 2018. His was definitely one of the most paid residencies in Las Vegas.
Cher
Cher has signed a $60-million-a-year deal for her Cher at the Colosseum residency in 2008. Giving nearly 200 sold-out shows, Cher was one of the Las Vegas crowd magnets for the time of her being there.
Shania Twain
The country music star finished her Las Vegas residency in 2014. The highly popular shows included a live band, trained horses, and a flying motorcycle. It was one of the legendary residencies in LV!
Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart was the best Las Vegas showman from 2011 to 2012. His sold-out concerts included his old hits as well as the new songs, so it was plenty for everyone!
Jennifer Lopez
The residency is named Jennifer Lopez: All I Have and it is one of the best selling Vegas residencies of all times. It started in January 2016 and is due to end in September 2018. The show is praised for the Lopez’s showmanship, music, dance, and production.
Rat Pack – one of the residencies in Las Vegas that changed the game
At last but not least, here’s a name you are probably not familiar with if you’re a millennial: the Rat Pack. During the 1960s it was the star-studded group of musicians, including the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr, and Peter Lawford. This was a historic time in Las Vegas as the residency attracted the wealthiest gamblers of the time and made a legend out of the place that still lives today.
6 biggest selling music residencies in Las Vegas
- Celine Dion (total revenue: $229,086,433)
- Britney Spears ($132,450,099)
- Mariah Carey ($23,919,616)
- Jennifer Lopez ($50,421,950)
- Elton John ($83,740,060)
- Elvis Presley ($229,761,360)
For some of the stars, residencies meant the end of the career. For others, residencies in Las Vegas mean the power boost for their career. Some of the artists moved to Las Vegas for the time of their residency. Spending a few years here is one thing if you’re Britney, but probably slightly different if you’re a mere mortal like the rest of us. One can’t help but wonder what’s it like to live in Las Vegas! Visiting or moving, the fact remains, Las Vegas is such a stunning city, there is nothing alike in the whole wide world.
In case you got so excited by the City of Lights that you really decide to move, you’d better find some info beforehand. Maybe you are planning on buying a house here – there are definitely things to consider before making a decision. Either way, Las Vegas is here for you, waiting for you while accommodating millions of people every day!