1. Elvis Presley
The pop icon from Memphis, Elvis Presley, performed his first show in Las Vegas in 1956. He wasn’t received so well by the crowds. But on July 31, 1969, he was given a chance to perform live in a newly opened international hotel in Las Vegas. This time around, he wowed the crowd, and the rest is history. He became one of the most successful Las Vegas performers of all time with a residency lasting seven years. He performed a total of 636 shows at the Westgate Resort and Casino.
2. Celine Dion
When Celine Dion started her first Las Vegas residency show in 2003, many were uncertain if the French-Canadian star would be able to entertain the crowds in Sin City. To the surprise of many, the show ran for five years. Celine made a comeback in 2011 with a new show titled Celine that was another huge success. Her shows incorporated Cirque-style acrobats, dancing, dazzling video work, and a lavish orchestra. So far, she has performed over 1140 concerts and continues to grace the stage with her beautiful voice.
3. Siegfried and Roy
Another great addition to the list of all-time greatest headliner shows in Las Vegas is Siegfried & Roy. The duo is a pair of magicians who became famous for their animal act at the Tropicana, which dazzled tourists. They began performing in 1973. In 1989 when Steve Wynn built the Mirage, the duo was given a chance to showcase their act featuring white lions, white tigers,waterfalls, lagoons, and tropical foliage. At the Mirage Resort, they performed in 5,750 events in a span of 13 years. They made some of the best shows in history, while at the same time raising awareness for animal welfare.
4. Penn and Teller
Despite the numerous magicians on the Vegas Strip, Penn and Teller are a must-see when visiting Las Vegas. Penn is the taller and more talkative one of the two, while Teller plays the straight man. The duo began their shows at the Minnesota Renaissance Fair in 1975, and by 1985, they were entertaining guests off-Broadway and earned an Emmy Award for their PBS show Penn and Teller Go Public. Since 2001, they have been residency entertainers at the Rio.
5. Wayne Newton
Wayne Newton started performing in Vegas in 1958 with his brother Jerry. Together they were known as the Newton Brothers. They were initially signed at the Fremont hotel for just two weeks but ended upper performing six shows a day for five years. Later, Wayne became a solo performer and played in every major hotel in the city. By the 1970s, he became a headliner and has been a regular performer ever since. He has performed over 30,000 shows in Sin City, earning him the nickname “Mr. Las Vegas.”
6. Liberace
Liberace is one of the most flamboyant pianists Vegas has ever seen. He first performed in the city in 1944, and it was here he began to develop his over-the-top personality. Liberace brought Vegas glamour to national TV with his own variety show. In the 1970s he founded the Liberace Museum.
