EDITOR’S NOTE: Our series “Debunking Vegas Myths” is released every Monday, with an additional Flashback Friday edition. The content for today’s post was originally published on October 7, 2024.
During the grand opening of the largest hotel in the world, the International, the biggest entertainer was selected to mark the occasion. However, the main performer was not feeling prepared for the event, despite weeks of practice.
The headliner for the evening was not Elvis Presley.
It was actually Barbra Streisand who kicked off the International’s opening on July 2.
This fact is often misconstrued. As highlighted in a 2015 article from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the myth we are debunking today revolves around why Elvis didn’t open the International…
The True Story Unfolds
Col. Tom Parker, Presley’s manager, cited concerns over the venue’s technical aspects, such as sound and lighting issues, as the reason for keeping Elvis on hold. Many websites echo Parker’s explanation for why Elvis wasn’t the opening act.
Yet, Parker was known for his deceitful tactics.
One of his biggest lies involved concealing his true identity as an illegal immigrant from the Netherlands, named Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk. This secret compelled Parker to dissuade Elvis from touring overseas, fabricating other reasons to justify his decisions.
The reality behind Elvis not opening the International is clear…
He simply wasn’t invited to do so because, at that time, Barbara Streisand held greater fame than Elvis.
Following her iconic Central Park concert and an Oscar win for “Funny Girl,” Streisand was a prominent figure. In contrast, Elvis was experiencing a decline in popularity during that period.
Despite his successful 1968 NBC comeback special, which showcased his talent and drawing power on TV, Elvis was still perceived as an unfamiliar stage performer in Las Vegas, as noted by Nick Naff, the former publicity director for the International, in Mike Weatherford’s 2001 book, Cult Vegas.
“He had been doing nothing but making these lousy pictures, and he hadn’t worked on a stage for years.”
More Insights
Streisand received $1 million for her month-long engagement, while Elvis was paid half that amount for his initial four weeks at the venue.
Yet, the gender pay gap did not hinder the blossoming friendship between them.
Both stars attended each other’s shows in Las Vegas, and Elvis once surprised Streisand in her dressing room by kneeling to pick up a bottle of nail polish.
“You are the only one who ever intimidated me,” he whispered while painting her nails.
After Streisand’s successful debut at the International, Elvis and Parker sent her a joint congratulatory telegram.
The message expressed, “We are greatly honored to have the International Hotel folks think enough of Elvis to engage him to follow a great star like you.”
In return, Streisand invited Elvis to star alongside her in the 1976 film A Star is Born. Elated by the script and eager to redeem himself from the B-movies Parker got him into during the ’60s, Elvis was enthusiastic about the opportunity.
However, Parker’s unreasonable demands, including a $1 million salary (twice the original offer), half of the film’s profits, all soundtrack rights, and top billing above Streisand in promotional material, resulted in Kris Kristofferson securing the role. Despite the mismanagement, one positive outcome was the emergence of a new star due to this incident.
Stay tuned for the next installment of “Debunking Vegas Myths” every Monday on Casino.org. For previous debunked myths, visit VegasMythsBusted.com. Have a Vegas myth in mind that needs clarification? Reach out to [email protected].