Another business day in Las Vegas...With "Big Elvis"...Gotta love this guy!!!

[Microbus99]

Hi Friends,

I'm in Vegas again like I am about once a month or so. This is part of my "region" so I travel here quite a bit. Most of the time I'm bored here.

Besides that, I used to live here and my parents spent 18 of their married years here. I went to my Junior and Senior year of High School here as well. Long story since I moved here from Hawaii back then. Now, I've been coming here at least 3 times a year for 30 years.

Anyway, every Mon-Friday at 3:00pm at "Bills Gambling House" (smack dab in the middle of the strip across the street from Caesars) is the "Big Elvis" show.

He's been the longest running Elvis impersonator/entertainer in the history of Vegas Elvis impersonators. Oh, and yes, he's big!!! He sits on this giant throne type chair through much of his performance. He does other hits from guys like Roy Orbison and such for like 4 hours!!! There's also free parking in the back of the casino that people dont know about.

I pop in to see him from time to time and went tonight. Always an outstanding performance, and If you're an Elvis fan at all, he's your man!!! Not only that, its free, and beers are 2 bucks. You cant beat that entertainment value/experience, unless you gag at the smell of cigarette smoke, like I do, then forget about it.

Check him out here: http://shop.vegas.com/shows/showtime...?event_id=4930

Or just watch an Elvis video for the hell of it. Like, "Blue Hawaii"!! "Since I have a soft spot for my place of birth".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4F5dbiaITw

Even with all the Classic rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, Goth, Shoegazing, Jazz, Industrial, WHATEVER, music, etc. that I listen too, I have to step back and not deny the king his presence even to this day.

Just a thought from here in Vegas. Yes I've had about 5 beers. Safe at the hotel, no worries.

Oh, and by the way, if there is still a recession going on?, you couldnt tell on the strip tonight. Tuesday night and the streets are PACKED!!

Someone's still making money in this economy I guess!

Just some thoughts to share. G'night!

[luckydog]

my sister got married in the Elvis chapel in Vegas 27 years ago, for their 25th anniversary they renewed their vows with the same Elvis impersonater minister

he even sang at thierwedding renewal

[Microbus99]

my sister got married in the Elvis chapel in Vegas 27 years ago, for their 25th anniversary they renewed their vows with the same Elvis impersonater minister

he even sang at thierwedding renewal

Hell Yeah Ld!! Should I go by and check the registry? It might still be there. I'm here for a couple days! Maybe get a photo?

Oh, but dont get me going on the "Pawn Stars" pawn shop (in the same neighborhood) just down the street from the Stratosphere. They have Limo's and Shuttle buses dropping people off there all day! Its become a "free attraction" here in Vegas. I remember that part of the strip, bewteen Sahara and Fremont st. being somewhere you feared your life! Now its like part of the tour.

I thought about going to the old "Neon Sign Museum" tomorrow but they need a 2 week pre advanced reservation. Hopefully they're slow and take latecomers. They have old signs from the old classiv hotels like the Stardust, Sillver Slipper, Landmark, and many more.

Hopefully an update tomorrow if I can get in.

[luckydog]

walter and rita Willing

he was one of the top Elvis impersonaters, he didn't do weddings anymore, had other elvis do them, he made an exxeaction for my sister when he was in vegas

[JACKSJE4]

We will be stopping by Vegas in a few weeks on our way back from Mexico so that my son can visit the Pawn Stars shop (its his favorite TV show). We also plan to visit the pinball museum and take in the lights on the strip so that my wife can snap some pics for her photography class. Thanks for the tip on the Elvis show. Perhaps i can convince the family to give it a look.

[bfree]

pinball museum

Good thing its the one in Vegas

[Microbus99]

Good thing its the one in Vegas

Yeah, its still great and a great collection. I have to wonder how long he'll last there though. Its kind of a beat up old building and definitley no frills on the inside. Just a concrete warehouse. I didnt actually walk to him and introduce myself but I believe Tim Arnold was in back working on a couple of machines.

http://www.pinballmuseum.org/

No doubt about it, its the probably one of the cheapest and most fun attractions in Vegas. I just wish he'd clean up the place a bit. Yeah, and its next to the now defunct Liberace museum. I cant believe I remember when it was built over 30 years ago. But I guess not EVERYONE was into Liberace. Cant say I ever went in there myself. Not my thang!

Have fun Jeff. You should take your son over to the Luxor and watch the "Chris Angel Believe" show. It was pretty cool. The last time I saw it was during the "Pilot" shows. Some reviews have been dissapointing. A friend of mines girlfriend is an usher there and said the show has improved vastly in the last year. Be prepared to spend some cash though, its not a cheap night. If you're into magic though, check it out. Otherwise Lance Burton is by far my favorite magician in Vegas. My daughter was actually on stage, hand picked, during his show for a couple tricks (my step father had connections) when she was 4 years old. Now she's almost 20 but Lance is still going strong and one of my faves.

Need any more Vegas tips? I know this town probably better then the cab drivers.

[JACKSJE4]

Thanks Gordon! We will only be in Vegas for an afternoon and evening, then we head back home to Colorado early the next morning so our options are limited during this trip. I think Pawn Stars, the pinball museum and dinner will be just about all we can fit in. But thanks for the recommendations. I will shoot you a PM for more recommendations during my next trip there.

Jeff

[Microbus99]

No problem Jeff, since the Pawn Shop is so popular lately I think they have lines going into the place now. Its just north of the Stratosphere a couple blocks past the wedding chapels . Dont think you'll see any of the guys from the show there though. Last I heard they've been doing road trips appraising items across the country. Not sure if thats still going on.

I havent been in there yet so let us know how it goes. I'm sure nothings cheap in there though. Unless you buy a souvenier ChumLee T-shirt or something. Actually right down the street at the corner of Sahara and Las Vegas Boulevard is the "Worlds Largest Souvenier Shop". That place is a trip!!! I remember when it was a Topless Casino Bar called the Jolley Trolley and we used to sneak in there with fake ID's. OK...I liked to party a little bit back then. If you have about 20 minutes of extra time you should pop in there.

By the time you get there the old Sahara Hotel might be closed for business. Thats pretty sad. It was one of the original hotels from the 40's and I'm not sure what they're going to do with it. Sad indeed. The whole north end of the strip is struggling right now because of the new Aria, City Center, Cosmopolitan project that just finished. I think Circus Circus is going to be next to go down in my opinion.

Have fun in Mexico!!!