Can you imagine walking into a busy casino with bright, glittering lights, fancy felted tables, and colors popping everywhere, but without music? You probably cannot because, for a long time, music and casinos have gone hand in hand. Other than the chime of slot machines and the clink of chips, some music often plays in the background to set the atmosphere. Actually, casinos were originally halls for music and dancing before gaming and gambling were introduced in the 17th century.
The lively atmosphere we see today is just a modern evolution of what was there initially. Nowadays, beyond a variety of casino games, music in casinos has gone to the next level, introducing live performances from renowned musicians. Many musicians have actually risen to fame in the casino world through live performances, residencies and wonderful collaborations. In this article, we will look at some of those musicians as we explore the amazing blend of music and casino entertainment.
Frank Sinatra
As a top American singer of 20th-century pop music, Sinatra wasn’t just a legendary singer but also a key figure in casino history. Every casino fan in Las Vegas in the 1950s and 60s probably knew his name because he turned casinos into entertainment destinations. Whenever he set foot on a casino stage, people would flock up from far and wide for the love of his smooth voice, classic songs, charm and style.
Sinatra’s first casino performance was at Desert Inn, a popular casino in Las Vegas. But what really put him in the spotlight was his performance with the Rat Pack (Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop) at the Sands Hotel and Casino.
He performed there with his group so frequently that it became known as his home base in Las Vegas, attracting both visitors and locals who wanted to see them live. People described their shows as lively and unique because, beyond the good music, they were also filled with jokes and banter, making each night feel like a special event.
Through his performances, Sinatra helped redefine casino experiences to more than just casino games. The blend of slots, dice and cards with live music attracted gamblers to Las Vegas in masses. His influence is still felt today, as his songs like “New York, New York” and “My Way” are still favorites in casinos.
Elvis Presley
Elvis was popularly known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll because of his wowing blend of rock and roll, country and blues music. In the casino industry, he was also a household name in Las Vegas, like Sinatra, who is said to have set the stage for him and many other artists. Though he made his debut at casino performances in 1956 at the New Frontier Hotel, it was his residency at The International Hotel in 1969 that made him a Las Vegas legend.
In fact, he was the first major star to have a continuous residency in Vegas. Until 1976, he performed over 600 shows that attracted fans from all over the world because the vibes and energy were just right. This put The International Hotel clearly on the casino map as a choice destination for the fun that came with casino games and concerts.
Beyond the stage, Elvis enjoyed playing blackjack and poker with fans after his shows at his residency, which was later renamed the Las Vegas Hilton. He also opened the door for other artists to establish residencies in casinos and helped define the modern casino entertainment experience. As a pillar in the fusion of gaming and music, he is still remembered through tribute shows and themed casino games.
Lady Gaga
Based on the groundwork that Elvis set, today we have artists like the great Lady Gaga with her residency at the Park MGM in Las Vegas. The show, titled Enigma, started in 2019 and is known to combine Gaga’s hits with stunning theatrical performances that draw thousands.
Actually, within the first few months, Enigma became one of the hottest shows in Las Vegas, selling over 75000 tickets. Her shows really go well with the casino atmosphere in the city, making casino games within the area more attractive.
Katy Perry
Katy cannot be left out in the Spirit of modern musicians showcasing their talents through residencies. Her residency, Katy Perry: PLAY, famous for its colorfulness and high energy, began in December 2021 at the Resort World Las Vegas. It is recorded that her shows have boosted traffic to the casino, as guests who attend her concerts also try their luck in casino games for unmatched gaming and entertainment adventure.
Beyond the musicians
As the music in casinos keeps advancing and the musicians raise the standards higher and higher, casino games are also getting better to maintain the blend. Now, they’ve even introduced online gaming options that give you almost the same thrill as the physical ones, which you can enjoy at home as you listen to your playlist of choice.
A good example would be the Aviator, which is literally a game of time and chance. Actually, it is a game where you just watch a virtual plane take off and climb higher and higher, but you can decide when to cash out before the plane crashes. The adrenaline rush that comes with that makes it attracts many casino lovers who want to experience controlling luck against the unknown.
Final thoughts
Casinos have always been places of entertainment where people enjoy various games and socialize, all for the fun. And music makes the experience even better. From the Frank Sinatra times to Katy Perry, musicians and casinos have mutually benefitted from each other.
As casinos continue to advance, it is evident that music will remain a key part of the experience, offering upcoming musicians opportunities to build their career even as they attract more players to the casinos.
