Certain classic Las Vegas headliners have been associated with Sin City casinos throughout their history.
Everyone visiting Vegas knew they could see legendary pianist Liberace’s show from its beginning in 1944 until his final performance at Caesars Palace in 1986.
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Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack performed their famous residency at the Sands Hotel and Casino in the early 1960s. Sinatra and his Rat Pack partners Dean Martin, Sammy Davis and Joey Bishop would continue performing separately in Vegas showrooms into the 1970s and 1980s. Martin also headlined opening night at the MGM Grand on the Strip in 1973.
And then came the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, who opened his long-running Las Vegas residency at the International Hotel in 1969 and would perform 636 sold-out shows before his death in 1977.
But the name Mr. Las Vegas would go to long-time headliner and resident Wayne Newton, who began performing in Vegas in 1963 with his hit song “Danke Schoen.”
The exact number of shows Newton has performed is uncertain, but it runs into the thousands. In 1999, he signed a 10-year contract with the long-defunct Stardust that saw him perform six shows a week, 40 weeks a year.
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Newton continues to perform on the Strip at the Flamingo’s Bugsy’s Cabaret Showroom through Dec. 30, 2024.
Pop singers Donny and Marie Osmond performed an 11-year residency at the Flamingo, which ended in November 2019. Osmond Brothers singer Donny Osmond continues his long-running residency at Caesars Entertainment’s (CZR) Harrah’s Las Vegas Showroom through Nov. 16, 2024,. Osmond began his Harrah’s residency in August 2021.
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Aside from all of the classic performers over the years, Vegas casinos keep the showrooms and theaters fresh by booking more contemporary stars like Adele, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.
And the most sensational venue on the Strip, Sphere Entertainment’s (SPHR) Sphere, has already hosted one of the biggest bands in music, U2, and has another huge group coming with The Eagles.
Brandon Flowers of The Killers performs during Forecastle Music Festival at Louisville Waterfront Park on July 13, 2019 in Louisville, Ky. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)
Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images
The Killers set to end residency
Popular Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers had coveted a residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in their hometown for a while and hinted in fall 2023 that they were open to doing a Sin City residency.
The Killers’ wish came true as they in January signed for their first-ever residency on the Strip at the 4,300-seat Colosseum which began Aug. 14.
The residency has featured the band performing their debut album “Hot Fuss,” which includes The Killers’ hits “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me,” from start to finish to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of the album. The band also has had great success with their hits “When We Were Young,” released in 2006, and “Human,” released in 2008.
The band’s 10-show residency will come to an end on Sept. 1, as it doesn’t look like the band will extend the engagement. Tickets are available for the remaining show through Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Following The Killers, Garth Brooks’ Plus One residency resumes on Sept. 26 through Oct. 13 at the Colosseum, then Adele stops by on Oct. 25 for the final 10 shows of her Weekends With Adele residency, which ends Nov. 23.
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