Not that long ago, a residency in Las Vegas used to be a sure-fire signal that a popular star from a somewhat bygone era was about to act out their professional swan song. They performed hits from back in their heyday while tourists half-heartedly looked on as they either continued to play the machines in search of that elusive jackpot or eating and drinking their fill.
It was back in the 1940’s that artists such as piano maestro Liberace (the first to take up a Las Vegas residency) and the 1950’s with the infamous Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford) that residencies became a popular and often must-see addition to the existing attractions of Las Vegas.
It was only when Celine Dion performed 717 shows in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace from 2003 to 2007, grossing an incredible half a million dollars a show or a total of US$385 million (US$480.52 million in today’s money) in the process that the modern-day mega-bucks Las Vegas residency was born, with people specifically buying their tickets to see their idols performing in concert, with not a slot machine in sight.
Since then, a veritable who’s who of popular music have not only been in residence at various venues along that most famous of strips, but they have also earned a fortune in the process.
With some of the eye-watering fees the casinos pay some of today’s megastars, there can be no doubt that they (the casinos) often lose money on the concerts they host. However, what they lose on the swing that is a concert, they quickly gain back on the roundabout that is bringing customers into their casinos who then spend more money on eating, gambling and the other attractions provided by the casino.
We already mentioned Celine Dion who holds the top two positions $385 million in 2003-2007 (714 performances) and $296 million (427 performances) in 2011–2019. Somewhat behind in third place, but nevertheless earning a tidy $169 million, was the UK’s Sir Elton John, notching up 248 performances between 2004–2009, also at Caesars Palace.
At number four in 2013–2017, the strip saw Britney Spears at Zappos Theatre performing 248 shows for $137 million, followed by a returning Sir Elton to Caesars Palace between 2011–2018 performing 189 shows to gross $131 million.
Although at number six, but pro rata the highest paid of our top eight, was America’s Billy Joel, appearing at Madison Square Garden grossing $129.9 million for just 59 shows, or $2.2 million a show.
7th and 8th places go to Bruce Springsteen at the Walter Kerr Theatre ($113 million for 236 performances in 2017–2018) and Jennifer Lopez at Zappos Theatre ($101.9 million for 120 performances in 2016–2018).
A host of other stars from across the popular music divide, from popular to rock and country to variety have all enjoyed spectacular residencies on the Las Vegas strip. These include, amongst many others, Elvis Presley, Aerosmith, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Drake, Lionel Richie, Sting, Def Leppard, Germany’s rock giants Scorpions, Cher, Adele, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart and Santana.
So much so, that a residency in Las Vegas has now firmly become an aspiration rather than the ‘goodbye’ chore it once used to be back in the ‘old days’.
