Today in Entertainment History: Presley made Vegas debut

By The Associated Press
Posted 4/17/23

On April 23, 1956, Elvis Presley made his Las Vegas debut, opening for comedian Shecky Greene. Presley’s engagement was canceled after a week because of poor ticket sales, and he didn’t return to …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Today in Entertainment History: Presley made Vegas debut

Posted

On April 23, 1956, Elvis Presley made his Las Vegas debut, opening for comedian Shecky Greene. Presley’s engagement was canceled after a week because of poor ticket sales, and he didn’t return to Vegas for 13 years.

In 1969, the Los Angeles club the Ash Grove was destroyed by fire. Many artists, like Canned Heat and the Chambers Brothers, got their start there.

In 1975, singer Peter Ham of Badfinger died by suicide at the age of 27. He was depressed about the band’s financial problems.

In 1987, singer Carole King sued record company owner Lou Adler for breach of contract. She claimed she was owed more than $400,000 in royalties and demanded the rights to her old recordings.

In 1991, guitarist Johnny Thunders of The New York Dolls died of a drug overdose in New Orleans. He was 40.

In 1996, actor Margot Kidder was found dazed and disheveled, hiding in bushes in a stranger’s yard in Los Angeles after disappearing for three days.

In 2002, musician Jerry Lee Lewis announced he and his sixth wife, Kerrie, were divorcing after 17 years of marriage.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor Lee Majors (“Six Million Dollar Man”) is 84. Actor Blair Brown is 76. Actor Joyce DeWitt (“Three’s Company”) is 74. Actor James Russo is 70. Director Michael Moore is 69. Actor Judy Davis is 68. Actor Valerie Bertinelli is 63. Actor Craig Sheffer (“One Tree Hill,” ″Into the West”) is 63. Comedian George Lopez is 62. Actor Melina Kanakaredes (kah-nah-kah-REE'-deez) (“The Resident,” “Providence”) is 56. Drummer Stan Frazier of Sugar Ray is 55. Guitarist Tim Womack of Sons of the Desert is 55. Actor Scott Bairstow (BEHR’-stow) (“Party of Five”) is 53. Actor John Lutz (“30 Rock”) is 50. Musicians Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National are 47. Wrestler-turned-actor John Cena (SEE’-nah) (“The Marine”) is 46. Actor-comedian John Oliver is 46. Actor Kal Penn (“House M.D.,” “Harold and Kumar”) is 46. Singer Taio (TY’-oh) Cruz is 40. Actor Jesse Lee Soffer (“Chicago P.D.,” “Chicago Fire”) is 39. Guitarist Anthony LaMarca of The War On Drugs is 36. Actor Dev Patel (puh-TEHL’) (“Slumdog Millionaire”) is 33. Actor Matthew Underwood (“Zoey 101”) is 33. Model Gigi Hadid is 28. Musicians Jake and Josh Kiszka (KIS’-kah) of Greta Van Fleet are 27. Actor Charlie Rowe (“Salvation”) is 27.

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X