Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Spencer Patterson: New collection brings Vegas performances to life

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at [email protected] or (702) 259-2309.

Maybe you're a longtime Las Vegan who would like to relive a legendary performance by Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley.

Or maybe you never got a chance to see the city's most famous musical icons and are eager to experience their live shows.

Either way, the new "Las Vegas Centennial Collection" series might be of considerable interest.

As its moniker suggests, the project is designed to coincide with Las Vegas' 100th anniversary this year. To celebrate the occasion, Capitol/EMI's newest label imprint -- created in partnership with Las Vegas -- will issue archival CDs showcasing historic Vegas concerts.

"We have all the great Las Vegas entertainers," said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who provided written introductions for the set. "They were icons of their generation. They defined Las Vegas."

The series kicks off April 26 with eight titles. Highlighting the group is a 1986 Sinatra show from the Golden Nugget, previously unreleased in any form.

Other live discs on tap for April 26: Dean Martin at the Sands in 1967; Bobby Darin at the Flamingo in 1963; Louis Prima and Keely Smith at the Sahara in 1958 and Nancy Wilson at the Sands in 1968.

Additionally, April 26 will see the release of Wayne Newton's "Mr. Las Vegas!" -- a compilation of his best-known songs supplemented by two unreleased live tracks -- and two various artists collections, featuring the likes of Sammy Davis Jr., Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee.

Then on May 10, the series continues with a reissue of Presley's "Elvis: Live From Las Vegas," a live set recorded at the International Hotel (now Las Vegas Hilton) in 1970 and '72.

John Owen, product manager for EMI Music Marketing, said other titles are likely to follow as Las Vegas' centennial festivities continue.

"With the Vegas centennial, everyone's ramping up and there's a greater awareness of Las Vegas," Owen said. "Obviously, we've got a music catalog that has a number of the vintage Vegas artists, so it's a logical fit."

Goodman said the city should reap benefits from the CDs, though a monetary windfall might not be one of them.

"We don't make that much money from it, but the publicity is just monumental," Goodman said. "This will be at all the major record stores, department stores and the like. They will have their own displays, so it will be prominently featured. I think it's a great boost for Las Vegas."

As for the target audience, Goodman says the opportunities are limitless.

"I think the locals are going to gobble it up," he said. "But this will be displayed throughout the world, and anybody who came to Las Vegas during those years is certainly going to want to buy it.

"I think it's going to be a collector's item."

Music notes

Beach balls: Mandalay Bay has announced the opening dates in its annual Beach summer concert series.

On May 6 the outdoor venue hosts the "Reggae Beach Party," headlined by Jamaica's Third World. Tickets are $27.50 in advance and $33 the day of the show, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mandalay Bay box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Go-Go's bring their 1980s hits "Vacation" and "Head Over Heels" to the Beach on May 29. Tickets are $41.25 in advance and $44 the day of the show, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through the Mandalay Bay box office and Ticketmaster.

Future Mandalay Bay Beach dates have yet to be finalized, but performers are expected to include Pat Benatar, the Beach Boys, Huey Lewis and Lyle Lovett.

Trick or treat: Veteran power-pop outfit Cheap Trick stops at the Silverton's Hideaway Theater at 8 tonight.

The Rockford, Ill., band hasn't released a studio album since 1997, but has plenty of old favorites to go around, including "Dream Police," "Surrender," "She's Tight" and the obligatory "I Want You to Want Me." Tickets are $35.

Romantic evening: Red-hot punk band My Chemical Romance plays the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Sunday night. The New Jersey quintet released its second album, "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge," last June to mostly positive reviews.

Doors to the all-ages show open at 5:30 p.m. Senses Fail, Saosin and I Hate Kate are also on the bill. Tickets, which were $13, are sold out.

On sale

The Moody Blues perform at the Aladdin Theatre for Performing Arts on June 10. Tickets are $45, $55 and $75 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Aladdin box office and through Ticketmaster.

Snoop Dogg lands at the Palms' Skin Pool Lounge on May 24. Tickets are $49.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Palms' box office and through Ticketmaster.

Taking Back Sunday and Jimmy Eat World team for a May 5 show at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Tickets are $23 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the House of Blues box office and through Ticketmaster.

Trust Company plays Jillian's on April 18. Tickets are $10 and are on sale now.

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