Not only was Elvis a musician, but a movie star and a sex symbol, leaving an indelible imprint on American culture. Known simply as the ‘King’, Elvis still inspires endless emulation and admiration. Let’s take a look at the last years of his life.
Elvis comes to Vegas
For eight years, Elvis Presley had the time of his life in Las Vegas. His performances turned Vegas from a city that was controlled by the mob to an entertainment paradise. Sick of the decade he’d spent at Hollywood, with agents and producers controlling every aspect of his life, Elvis was elated to leave.
Arriving at Las Vegas in 1969, Elvis made the International Hotel his home. At the then-biggest hotel and casino in the world, he performed a whopping 873 shows, often to an audience including big stars like Cary Grant and Carole Channing. If you visit Vegas today, you’ll see Elvis everywhere, from impersonators at performance venues to memorabilia at souvenir shops.
Elvis in Vegas: The Glitter Years
Elvis’ Las Vegas performances were a whole new era. His stage persona changed, as did his tracklist and costumes. Gone was the black pseudo-karate outfit. Instead, Elvis started wearing his famous white jumpsuits encrusted with rhinestones, his collars growing larger and more theatrical. His stage appearances were dramatic and memorable.
Joe Guercio, the orchestra leader for Elvis’ Vegas performances, added a vital element to the show. Guercio and his wife were once watching Kubrick’s film ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, when they realized that the song in the opening sequence (Also Sprach Zarathustra by Strauss) would be a perfect soundtrack to Elvis’ entry on-stage.
Las Vegas is famous for both its casino resorts and international acts.
Fame and Glory in Las Vegas
Elvis was riding high. All his Vegas shows were packed, and fans were crazy about him. Every time he flew in, there was a trail of 500 fans swarming to greet him. His powerful stage presence and the glitzy sets and costumes set the tone for Vegas live performances for years to come.
Each one of his shows sold out, with audience numbers often breaking records. Elvis made the Vegas performance scene huge: much bigger than it was. The publicity, the salaries, the costumes, the glamor: all of it rose to new heights. But nothing lasts forever, and Elvis’ good run, too, was coming to an end.
Decline
In the 1970s, Elvis’ personal life was a mess. In ‘73, his marriage with Priscilla Presley (with whom he had one daughter, Lisa Marie) ended. This left a huge impact on his mental health. His once-vibrant performances became lackluster, a mere shadow of what they used to be.
Where once he used to be energetic and engaging, Elvis now barely moved around the stage, half-heartedly swaying here and there. He seemed to just be going through the motions. Ill and overweight, Elvis often needed a chair for his concerts and even canceled a few because he couldn’t get out of bed. Critics and audiences no longer felt the old magnetism.
Addiction
The main reason for Elvis’ decline is thought to be his addiction to prescription drugs. He had a personal doctor who would write him prescriptions whenever he asked. It’s said that in the last two years of Elvis’ life, 1975-1977, he was prescribed 19,000 doses of drugs. It was common to see Elvis’ aides carrying around three suitcases that were just for his medicines.
The worst part was that the King himself was in total denial about his addiction. He wouldn’t admit to anyone that he was fostering an unhealthy habit. He would often use minor events like sore throats as an excuse to get hold of drugs.
Elvis’ doctor was Dr. George Nichopolous, popularly known as ‘Dr. Nick’. Dr. Nick enabled Elvis’ addiction and is certainly partially responsible for his decline. There were rumored to be a few other doctors writing him prescriptions as well, none of whom knew each other.
The beginning of the end
By 1974, Elvis’ decline had become obvious to critics and fans alike. He was overweight, lethargic, and weak. He slurred his words during performances. In ‘73 alone, Elvis overdosed on barbiturates at least twice.
He was even hospitalized at the end of the year. Despite all this, he took on an intense touring schedule in ‘74. But things only got worse. And whoever expressed concern was told that nothing was wrong, and it would be alright. Elvis didn’t record a single song through 1974. RCA, his label, began to get nervous. They began to put more pressure on him to produce new material.
The Graceland Year
However, Elvis was reluctant to make new music. In fact, he spent his last year alive at his home, Graceland, refusing to leave. RCA had to send a mobile studio there so that Elvis could record. While dealing with these demands, Elvis had to face his declining popularity in the rock-and-roll scene.
His gang of many years, known as the “Memphis Mafia” were fired. Elvis barely had any friends – just people that he employed or who took advantage of him. His live-in nurse Letitia Henley was very likely his only friend in the last year of his life.
At Graceland, in Memphis, Elvis spent most of his time in his den, the “Jungle Room”. It was nicknamed for its over-the-top decor, including an artificial indoor waterfall. At this point, Elvis was chronically constipated, refusing to bathe, and covered in sores. He needed uppers to stay awake in the day and downers to be able to sleep.
Looking back, it seems obvious that he was deeply depressed and in need of urgent intervention. But no one intervened. It didn’t help that days before the King died, three members of the Memphis Mafia published a tell-all book about his drug use and lifestyle. He was devastated.
The Day The King Died
On August 16th, 1977, Elvis Presley died of a heart attack at his home, Graceland. The documentary ‘Elvis Presley: The Last 24 Hours’ details how busy he was on that very day. He managed to fit in a visit to the dentist, a game of racquetball, and an impromptu piano session, all before the afternoon. He was found in his bathroom by his girlfriend at the time, Ginger Alden. She called a member of his entourage, who then confirmed Elvis dead.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope you learned something new about Elvis after reading our article. Read on for answers to the most frequently asked questions about Elvis in the Vegas years. If you want to read more, our guides on everything gambling and Vegas related should help you out.
Which casinos did Elvis perform at?
Elvis’ first time performing at a Las Vegas casino was in April 1956, at the New Frontier Hotel and Casino. Although his first show there was not a success, Elvis returned in 1969 to record-breaking crowds and big money. For you own authentic casino experience, check out our live dealer page.
Are there any gambling games associated with Elvis?
Yes, there are gambling games associated with Elvis. These are slots that you can play in Las Vegas casinos or online. The game is usually called Elvis The King Lives slot. The game cleverly incorporates Elvis’ life story as well as his most popular songs.
Did Elvis like to gamble?
Yes, according to all accounts Elvis was said to be very fond of gambling. Even though he sold millions of records, by the time of his death, a lot of his fortune had been depleted. If you want to gamble in the safety of your home, have a look at our online casinos page.
