Elvis still reigns in Las Vegas more than 50 years after his residency – PHOTOS

Story and photos by Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal

On July 31, 1969, one of the most famous performers of all time stepped onto the stage to begin his residency at the International (later the Las Vegas Hilton, and now Westgate).

Decades later, Elvis’ influence in Las Vegas remains large as ever, from wedding chapels and impersonators posing for tips on the Strip to the memorabilia filling shelves at countless gift shops.

This summer’s biopic “Elvis” directed by Baz Luhrmann took the top box office spot in its opening week, further proving his legacy is alive and well.

The King of Las Vegas, a three-day festival that hosted tribute artists from across the U.S. as well as Brazil and the U.K., took place July 8-10th at the International Showroom. The performances, with a full backing band and backup vocalists, were done on the very same stage where the King performed over 600 sold-out shows.

A separate event, The Las Vegas Tribute Festival, drew fans to Sam’s Town the following weekend, where fans once again clamored for their chance to get a scarf or kiss from the “King,” and waited after the shows to take pictures and get autographs.

Elvis tribute artists, or ETAs as they are known in the biz, are more than mere impersonators. They not only walk the walk and talk the talk, they deliver performances that feel almost like a recreation of the shows the King brought to Las Vegas, making the audience go crazy.

Seasoned tribute artist Ted Torres Martin from Orlando, Fla., who has racked up several ETA championships, described performing Elvis’ music as “absolutely incredible.”

“Every time I step on stage to sing his music it’s just a thrill to me, I always want to do the job right, for Elvis and his memory, and for the fans, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “It’s not about me, it’s about Elvis… it’s pretty much what I live for.”

Elvis’ legendary string of 636 consecutive sold-out shows at the resort still stands, although current headliner Barry Manilow is on a pace to surpass that number in 2023. (However, Manilow has split his shows over two residencies, and not all of them have been sellouts).

Nevada historian and UNLV professor Michael Green said Elvis’ shows were especially significant because they marked a turning point for the performer and the city as an entertainment powerhouse.

“When Elvis opens his residency at the International in 1969, that is the biggest hotel-casino in the world … He comes to Las Vegas, and he’s reinvented himself and his show, he’s no longer the young kid … he becomes a big attraction in Las Vegas,” Green said. “And he’s kind of a reminder or a sign… that now entertainment itself matters.”

Ted Torres Martin has been performing as Elvis since age 12. At The King of Las Vegas festival, Martin said “every time I step on stage to sing his music it’s just a thrill to me, I always want to do the job right, for Elvis and his memory, and for the fans, that’s the most important thing. It’s not about me, it’s about Elvis… it’s pretty much what I live for.”