Standing the Test of
Time.....Pete Vallee
"Big
Elvis"
.jpeg)
Pete Vallee....."Big
Elvis"
When it comes to local entertainment, I
consider myself a leading advocate of the people who live in the Las Vegas
community whose life is dedicated to the simple idea of "making people happy"
!
Whether they be singers, dancers, magicians,
or even dog trainers; without them, Las Vegas, in my mind, would be just another
city.
We're called "The
Entertainment Capital of the World" for one reason.....THEM.
...and one of THEM, is my
pal, Pete
Vallee, affectionately known as "Big
Elvis".
Not long ago my wife and I decided to be
"tourists" in our own home town.
It was fun, and as we walked along the
new LINQ project, my eyes swelled in awe as I saw the
view of the "High Roller" at the end of the
complex.
...but before we took that stroll, I heard a
voice from Harrah's Piano Bar that
made me recall some of the old days....The "Barbary Coast" days....then
"Bill's", now, the glamorous "Cromwell", when a fella named Pete Vallee would draw standing room only
crowds every day he performed in his afternoon shows.
And there he was at Harrah's, Big Elvis,
performing three FREE shows at 2:00pm, 3:30pm, and 5:00pm, just as
he has done for all the years I remembered coming here as a
tourist.
He made a comment during his show that
caused me to realize just how important Pete Vallee has been to Las Vegas
history, and hopefully, how important he will be in its
future.
He is the symbol of what
built the entertainment of Las Vegas
.....the afternoon lounge
act....
the core of what brought people here for
decades as they took a break from a slot machine or blackjack or craps
table...
...what I believe was the appreciation
casinos would show guests....
....that has
been disappearing in this town.
Pete mentioned that in the entire career of
"The King"; all of the movies he made were within a 15 year
period....and...guess what...Pete's now been at it for 15 years as well....as
long as "The King" himself entertained us !
There isn't an Elvis song that Pete doesn't
know, and he's always willing to sing your favorite.
He even has a fan club
that just exceeded the 150,000 mark !
And Mr. Vallee is finally being recognized
for what he's meant to our city....by receiving a star on the Las
Vegas "Walk
of Fame" on his birthday in February, 2015.
We want to congratulate Pete Vallee, not
just for receiving his "star", but for his 15 years of performing three afternoon
shows every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at Harrah's Piano
Bar.
If you're one of the few who has
never experienced watching him perform (and be amazed at his "Elvis"
voice)...get there, and if you've already had the pleasure of seeing him, see
him again, and again, and again...
...because he's every bit the ICON the real
one was....and he's stood the test of time in proving
it.
Want more information, contact Harrah's at
(800) 214-9110. The hotel is on the Strip at 3475 Las Vegas Blvd.
South.
And make sure you see the LINQ project as
well.
It's TOMORROW....TODAY
Dick Arendt
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)