First it was Lady Gaga at the Palms, then Madonna for $1 billion dollars in Vegas. Now, the press across the pond are claiming that 80s hair rockers Bon Jovi are being offered a multi-million pound contract for a residency in Vegas! The hotel hosting the show, of course, is not mentioned nor the exact dollar amount. I call bullshit.
Has anyone noticed that the rumors of future Vegas headliners are getting ever less specific. For Lady Gaga we heard that she was given an offer by the Palms, which was a fact easy to check out, and quickly shown to be false. The large dollar figure attached to the Madonna rumor made that one easy to debunk as well. But now with no specific casino or dollar amount, the Brits have finally found themselves a ridiculous rumor where no one in Vegas can check on the accuracy of the story.
Bon Jovi plays Vegas about once a year and sells out. But as a permanent headliner, I can not think of a single resort with “millions of Pounds” to spend and a stage where Bon Jovi will fit in with the customer demographic.
Here is the rumor I want to start. Please spread: Bruce Springsteen is considering a Las Vegas residency. Traveling takes a toll on the band, and in Vegas everyone can live with family. Further Springsteen has been reading about how Las Vegas has become the foreclosure capitol of the nation. The Boss has heard that the people in this blue collar and union town are hurting. And, so Springsteen has decided to save Vegas by doing a year or so of shows at various union properties (sorry, Venetian) on the Strip with expensive tickets for rich tourists, and a reserved section for local unemployed workers.
It could happen! Or, at least, my rumor has as much going for it as the ones about Lady Gaga, Madonna, and now Bon Jovi. Of course, I admit, I made mine up. Still, it would be a perfect fit. So, raise your hand, for Springsteen in Vegas coming to a casino near you!
The Vegas press is, I’m sad to say, pretty bad about knowing it’s own industry.
You might remember, the Philadelphia press beat the Vegas press over breaking Wynn’s intentions to build there earlier in the year.
Thanks for reading, Mike_Ch. I am not sure what you are talking about. Wynn’s plan to build something in Vegas? Or, do you mean his now rejected run at a resort in the Philadelphia area? Yrs. Richard
I guess Bruce Springsteen would work.
But, there was a name floated out there from Caesars Palace one time that would be a better fit. Neil Diamond. A great singer, a great band, a great songwriter, a great stage show, still popular now.
Just look at all the Neil Diamond tribute artists there are locally that draw a crowd. The real thing would make money.
Diamond would be a perfect resident headliner for Vegas. He plays here only occasionally and does not appear to want to be associated with Vegas. It is a pity, because ColinFromVegas is totally right. Diamond would sell out each night and match the town fantastically. Of course, now in his Rick Rubin phase, that seems less likely than ever. Yrs., Richard
Hi Richard!
Loved the article! I would go to all the concerts mentioned from Gaga to Diamond. So there – try putting me in a box! Ha! Ha!
Oh, I don’t know. Certainly Bon Jovi could sell out at the very least medium size venues on a regular basis, if not the Colosseum. After all, they’re still very popular. They had a number one album just last year and their tours still sell out and not just here in the United States. They’re also big overseas, which is always helpful in Vegas. They also might bring in a (slightly) younger audience than some of the rock warhorses. If Santana can do it, I think Bon Jovi could do it better!