Question of the Day - 19 December 2025

Yesterday, we took a look at the prices for show tickets when the Rat Pack and Elvis were the biggest acts in Las Vegas. Today, we reminisce about their time on stages. 

After Howard Hughes bought the Sands in 1967 (and implemented strict accounting measures, which resulted in Sinatra’s line of credit being cut), Frank switched from the long-time home of the Rat Pack, the Sands' Copa Room, to Caesars Palace, signing a three-year contract. But after a 1970 altercation with casino executive Sandy Waterman over a particular hand in a high-stakes baccarat game, Sinatra walked out with three weeks left on his contract and vowed never to play Caesars Palace again. 

However, after announcing his retirement from show business in 1971, Sinatra returned to Caesars Palace in 1974 and continued to perform there into the '80s. 

Chuck Rawlings worked as a busboy for Sinatra’s Caesars shows from September 1969 until July 1976.

“It was different from any other show,” says Rawlings. “They elevated the quality of the experience for each guest. Prices were higher for good reason; when the performance began, the orchestra played a five-minute medley of Sinatra songs, then a comedian like Pat Henry came out and did about 15 minutes of jokes. Sinatra stepped out to applause and opened with any one of his hits — the songs were never the same.

“He was a classy guy, always in a tuxedo, and singing was effortless for him,” Rawling continues. “He had some of the best conductors of that time … Count Basie, Nelson Riddle. But you knew who was in control. Sinatra was a master! It was really an incredible sight to see, every night, two shows each night, weeks at a time. I was so lucky.”

At the time, Sinatra’s show was the most expensive in town; according to Rawlings, it was a $25 minimum. In today's dollars, that would be about $115. And, of course, every show was sold out. 

Rawlings also saw many of Elvis’ shows, which he called “electric.”

“Elvis was in a league of his own,” says Rawlings. “Every eye was on him, every minute. The power of his voice was amazing, particularly during his featured song selections. He sang his rock ’n' roll songs from the ‘50s and never spared the horsepower. He put it all out there.”

Bruce Merrin, Elvis’ publicist in the '70s, concurs. 

“I moved to Vegas in ’56 and I've seen every major celebrity you could mention. Elvis' closing number, the ‘TRILOGY,’ would be in the Top 10 of all the Vegas performances I’ve seen throughout my career,” says Merrin. “I get chills just thinking about it.”

Merrin saw more than 200 of Elvis’ shows at the International. He believes Elvis set the bar for residencies in Las Vegas. “He took things to a whole new limit. He could be called ‘the Greatest,’ the way he interacted with his fans. He’d kneel down and give out scarves, give kisses. He seemed to really love interacting.”

“There was no doubt when ‘The King’ was in town” says Rawlings. “The hotel registrations swelled, people from all around the world  came to town. It was phenomenal.”