Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

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CHAPTER 10 . LAS VEGAS AFTER DARK
other, with the exception of the Hard Rock and HOB (hence their detailed
descriptions), and in any case, audiences go based on the performer rather than
the space itself. Check with your hotel, or those free magazines in your room, to
see who is in town when you are.
Note also that Mr. Wayne Newton, who really is Vegas, is currently playing
the Stardust on a regular basis, about 40 weeks out of the year.
Hard Rock Hotel’s The Joint Formerly just about the only game in town in
terms of good rock bookings, The Joint, with its 1,400-seat capacity, now faces
some stiff competition from the House of Blues. For example, when Alanis Morrisette
came to town, she played the Hard Rock, but her opening act, Garbage,
played the House of Blues. On the other hand, it was here the Rolling Stones
chose to do a show during their arena tour—this was the smallest venue the band
had played in years, and, as you can imagine, it was one hot ticket. When the
Hard Rock Hotel opened in 1995, the Eagles were the first act to appear. Since
then the facility has presented Bob Dylan, Ziggy Marley, Marilyn Manson,
Hootie and the Blowfish, the Black Crowes, Donna Summer, Stephen Stills,
Jimmy Cliff, Tears for Fears, Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett, and James Brown.
The venue is not a preferred one, however; it’s only worth going if a favorite
performer is playing or if it’s an opportunity to see a big artist play a smallerthan-usual
room. Though there’s sometimes table seating, it’s usually festival
style, making personal space at a premium during a crowded show; and though
the floor is slightly raked, this still makes for poor sightlines. The balconies
upstairs, if you can get to them, aren’t much better, as once the bodies are packed
in about two deep, the stage is completely obscured. Unless you want to brave
the crush at the very front (sure, you should—it’s a rock show!), we suggest
standing at the rail toward the back, which not only elevates you slightly above
Fun Fact
Wayne Newton’s Top 10 Favorite Lounge Songs
Wayne Newton is the consummate entertainer. He has performed
more than 25,000 concerts in Las Vegas alone, and in front of more
than 25 million people worldwide. Wayne has received more standing
ovations than any other entertainer in history. Along with his singing
credits, his acting credits are soaring—one of his more recent credits is
Vegas Vacation. Make sure you catch him playing at the Stardust. No
trip to Vegas is complete without seeing the “King of Las Vegas.”
1. “You’re Nobody, Til Somebody Loves You” (You don’t have a body
unless somebody loves you!)
2. “Up a Lazy River” (or “Up Your Lazy River!”)
3. “Don’t Go Changing (Just the Way You Are)” (The clothes will last
another week!)
4. “Having My Baby” (Oh God!)
5. “The Windmills of My Mind” (A mind is a terrible thing to waste!)
6. “The Wind Beneath My Wings” (Soft and Dry usually helps!)
7. “Copacabana”
8. “When the Saints Go Marching In”
9. “I Am, I Said” (Huh?!)
10. “The Theme from the Love Boat” (or “Would a Dinghy Do?”)