When I think of Las Vegas, I think of a number of things: fast paced action and gambling, spas and of course shows. Great shows. Over the years I have seen some amazing shows and concerts. I really enjoy going to a show at the Coliseum at Caesars Palace. If you haven’t been there, the venue looks much bigger than its 4,000 seating capacity. In the past Elton John, Bette Midler and Cher have had long sold out runs at the Coliseum.
The question is who else can do it?
- Who can pack the house night after night?
- Who would you pay $150+ per ticket to see?
Before I share with you my list, please remember my earlier posts which illustrate that my musical taste is weak at best.
To fill the coliseum night after night the entertainer needs to appeal to a lot of people and captivate an audience for 90 minutes. So who can do it?
Here are a few to think about:
- Bruce Springsteen — without question. He is amazing and could have a long run there
- Liza Minnelli — classy lady, beautiful voice, amazing stage presence
- Jimmy Buffett — fun time had by all. Buffett could do some really wild things in Vegas
- Madonna — still has a tremendous fan base and great costumes (perfect for Vegas)
- The Beach Boys — fun concert. They have so many hits you lose track.
I think my top two choices would be Madonna and Bruce Springsteen.
- Who makes your list?
- What do you think of my choices?
Look forward to reading your comments.
Stephenie Gordon says:
I agree Madonna could sell it out, i also think if Michael Jackson pulls his act together he could do it.
Personally, i would like to see The Police, Tho Who, Steely Dan or The Allman Brothers. I don’t think the classic rock guys would do this type of thing, but they always sell out and have a huge following.
Come to think of it Madonna probably doesn’t appeal to the masses enough. She would offend a lot of the crowd unless she took it down a notch.
Has Billy Joel done Vegas? He would be good. Even Bon Jovi could last for a while.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Stephenie,
I think Billy Joel has done a few concerts in Vegas (maybe with Elton John) not 100% sure. Police would be a good addition – can’t see Michael Jackson ever doing it because of all the bad press – not sure he ever overcomes that.
Good comments.
Merrill
Kevin R says:
Speaking of Billy Joel, I was recently at the Hard Rock Casino in Florida. He sold out 5 nights. He definitely could do run in Vegas.
Robert Harrell says:
What about Paul McCartney?
I would think he still has the appeal to fill up a “small” venue (I consider 4,000 small) night after night. He had the American Airlines Ceenter in Dallas rockin’ when I saw him a couple of years ago.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Robert,
I didn’t think of him. Good choice. I think he could have a long, long run in Vegas!
Merrill
tobey belsky says:
OMG Merrill, Liza Minnelli, Madonna, Jimmy Buffett! ok I agree you are a bit out of this element.. How about some real old time rock’n'roll?
Rolling Stones, The Who, (recent Kennedy Center Honors) Eric Clapton (any day of the week); Bob Seger, Queen (with Freddy Mercury), Lynard Skynard, Fleetwood Mac, and or Stevie Nicks, Heart, Johnny Winter, Tina Turner, The Beatles (if 2 of them were still with us), Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; (while they were still friends) The Allman Brothers, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, just to name a few. Now for some more current sounds: John Legend, Adele, Natasha Bedingfield, Usher, Shinedown, Seal, Robin Thicke, Gwen Stefani (puts on great show), Dave Matthews Band (also fabulous live!) okay I think you get my drift… I’ll stop here.
Stephenie Gordon says:
I am definitely agreeing with Paul McCartney!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Tobey,
Lots of choices – thanks. Tina TurnerCrosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the Who, Eric Clapton for sure. I saw Bob Seger last year and he was great but not sure he could have a long run in Vegas. My opinion would be a no go for the Allman Brother or Smokey Robinson (although he does oplay there now but very small venue’s.
The newer choices are interesting – would the people go and pay the price…. Still on the fence.
Merrill
Tom Mularz says:
For $150 a ticket I would expect to see:
- Jimi Hendrix on lead guitar
- George Harrison and Mikey Houser on rythm guitars
- Keith Moon on drums
- John Entwhistle on bass
- Jerry Garcia on the organ
- Vocals by Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Edith Piaf and Harry Chapin
- Abe Lincoln on the cowbell!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Tom,
That would be quite the band!
Thanks
Merrill
Ed Sugar says:
One Band, Three Words:
The Rolling Stones
Terri McClain says:
I agree with Tobey “OMG Merrill”!! I also agree that some of the old time rock n roll bands that Tobey mentioned could still fill many houses.
Terri
Sarah Greenberg says:
I saw Springsteen (and the E Street Band) at his one and only show in Vegas…if you get the chance…its LEGENDARY. How about Neil Diamond? U2? Annie Lennox? The ultimate would be the rolling stones. Billy Joel would be good…Elton’s obvious. Mick Jagger with show girls…yeeowza
Merrill Dubrow says:
Santana Will Trip Through Hits in Vegas
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — With his overt spirituality and cosmic patois, Carlos Santana doesn’t seem like a Vegas kind of guy. But he’ll soon get a shot at injecting soul into Sin City’s neon-lit heart.
Echoing successful runs by Celine Dion and Elton John, Santana is the first rock act to try a Las Vegas residency on for size. Beginning May 27, he’ll perform 36 shows at The Joint, the expanded 4,200-seat venue that’s part of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s $750 million renovation.
Tickets for Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits ($79-$299) are on sale today at Ticketmaster and Hard Rock. Santana performs at 9 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights, three weeks on and three weeks off. Additional dates will be set for 2010.
“This represents a twist in my thinking,” says Santana, 61, pointing out that he long considered such gigs the musical equivalent of a hamster wheel. “I’m going through a transformation.”
That’s music to the ears of John Meglen, co-CEO of AEG Live/Concerts West. “No one’s really making money from recordings these days, but demand for concert tickets is high,” he says, adding that Santana was at the top of a very short list of contenders. “The musician can play without the rigors of moving around. And fans can see their favorite artist in an intimate environment.”
Meglen says The Joint exudes a ’60s club vibe and its shows won’t attempt to replicate arena-sized extravaganzas. He hopes to sign two more acts by 2011. Possibilities range from Linkin Park to his “dream” Vegas act, David Bowie.
Besides attracting the usual boomers, classic acts such as Santana can bank on finding new fans among the younger set who consider Vegas their playground, says Phil Shalala, Hard Rock’s director of marketing. “It’s a chance to connect with a young, hip and cool image,” he says.
But the 10-time Grammy winner doesn’t seem too concerned with impressing people. “This is really a divine opportunity to help young people develop strong perceptions of themselves,” he says. “There’s no higher satisfaction than that.”