Here, for your viewing pleasure and historical edification, both of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Advisor, are two newsletters from our archives.
The first is Volume 1, Issue 1, from February 1984. A peek at the Top Ten alone gives you an idea of how long ago that was in Las Vegas years: Eight of the 10 casinos are gone and the most expensive item was the double lobster tail at $9.95. But the 29-page issue is packed with headliners of the day; all the shrimp cocktail, breakfast, and steak and prime rib specials; drink deals; lounge shows; funbook coupons; blackjack rules; and so much more. Ah, those were the days.
Next up is LVA’s 100th issue from April 1994, 10 years after the first issue and exactly two years after it went from six to 12 pages. Now we’re getting into modern Vegas, with Comp City, the classic book by Max Rubin, taking the lead; plus the Rio’s Carnival World Buffet at number two in the Top Ten ($3.25 for breakfast!); a survey of casino Mexican restaurants; an update on the amusement parks; and a full page of Letters and Tips, the forerunner of Question of the Day. Ah, those were the days!
A year from now, we’ll be celebrating the newsletter’s 40th anniversary.
We don’t argue the fact that plenty of information about Las Vegas is available online. But it’s also tough to dispute our claim that when it comes to the best information — with the longest perspective, the deepest and broadest expertise, the most extensive personal experience, and the strongest consumer orientation — nothing can compare to the Las Vegas Advisor.
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Ditto to that last paragraph, LVA is the best!
these old editions of .the newsletter reminded me how Vegas used to be. real stars (sinatra, sammy).there are no. real stars or shows now. no marquees. now, all the casinos want you to be doing is gambling.
also, it shows how much better (in my humble opinion) the newsletter used to be. by this, i mean:
showroom schedules, deep dives into how much you need to gamble and on what games in order to attain comps, and listings of tournaments-when, where, cost. i do enjoy the current newsletter, but feel there was more depth to the old one.
After reading these first newsletters, I had the feeling that I wished the Advisor would write a little history article on each old (pre 1985) hotel and motel. I remember just a few, but I think it would be fun if you were to include a small map of where they sat in the Las Vegas mix. Maybe do one or two per upcoming newsletter.
Thank you for all the information you do give us. Nice reading.
I was already with you in ’94; enjoyed reading both issues. Thanks for a cool share. jersey joe.