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Ten Rock Performances That Prove Vegas Does It Better Than Anywhere Else
Posted On Wednesday, February 3rd
There goes the saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” However, what happened onstage during these memorable musical moments deserves to be heard around the world. In honor of our city and the power of music, here are 10 moments you definitely shouldn't forget.
1. Zac Brown Band performing “Bohemian Rhapsody” at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival
Zac Brown Band got their break in country music, but their roots are in rock, and they know just how to jam. This monumental cover puts a twangy spin on a beloved Queen classic.
2. Stone Temple Pilots playing “Plush” in 1999 at the House of Blues
This 1999 performance demonstrates the unbreakable bond between band members and fans. Scott Weiland may be gone but he continues to live on through his music.
3. The Grateful Dead’s “So Many Roads” at Sam Boyd Silver Bowl in 1994
Just about a year later Jerry Garcia passed away, but it’s with performances like this that he lives on in our hearts forever.
4. The Rolling Stones featuring Katy Perry in 2011 performing “Beast of Burden” at MGM Grand Garden
With the Rolling Stones, sometimes you just have to roll with it, and in this case, you’ll see how great the Stones still are, and how Katy Perry isn’t just a pop performer.
5. Cirque du Soleil: The Beatles LOVE playing “Octopus’s Garden” in 2013
What do you get when you combine the beautiful theatrics of Cirque du Soleil with the Beatles’ music? A stunning sonic-and-visual spectacular.
6. Bruce Springsteen covering “Viva Las Vegas” at MGM Grand Garden
Bruce Springsteen is most certainly the Boss when it comes to rock music, but he often takes inspiration from the King, and where better to do it than in Las Vegas? Springsteen’s version of the song gets better every time he plays it, and you can easily hear how much fun he’s having.
7. Alice Cooper playing “I’m Eighteen” in 1977 at the Aladdin Hotel
This track is featured on what some critics and fans call Alice Cooper’s best live album, The Alice Cooper Show. With that said, this song is also especially awesome because of the riffs and monster guitar solos.
8. Don Felder featuring Styx performing “Hotel California” at the Orleans Arena in 2015
Don Felder playing with Styx? Sign us up! In this clip, Styx lend a hand on “Hotel California,” a song Felder famously composed.
9. Guns N’ Roses at Prater Stadium in 1992 performing “November Rain”
If you get the chance to see Guns N’ Roses (reunion tour soon?), you better hope they play this because, apart from being a heart-wrenching and unforgettable song, it’s amazing live. Axl Rose puts a lot of emotion into this song.
10. Elvis Presley live in Las Vegas in 1970 playing “Suspicious Minds”
We’re saving the best for last because you can’t have a list about music in Vegas without the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis Presley was more than a teen idol. He was a rock icon, and this clip demonstrates his brilliance.
3. The Grateful Dead’s “So Many Roads” at Sam Boyd Silver Bowl in 1994
Just about a year later Jerry Garcia passed away, but it’s with performances like this that he lives on in our hearts forever.
4. The Rolling Stones featuring Katy Perry in 2011 performing “Beast of Burden” at MGM Grand Garden
With the Rolling Stones, sometimes you just have to roll with it, and in this case, you’ll see how great the Stones still are, and how Katy Perry isn’t just a pop performer.
5. Cirque du Soleil: The Beatles LOVE playing “Octopus’s Garden” in 2013
What do you get when you combine the beautiful theatrics of Cirque du Soleil with the Beatles’ music? A stunning sonic-and-visual spectacular.
6. Bruce Springsteen covering “Viva Las Vegas” at MGM Grand Garden
Bruce Springsteen is most certainly the Boss when it comes to rock music, but he often takes inspiration from the King, and where better to do it than in Las Vegas? Springsteen’s version of the song gets better every time he plays it, and you can easily hear how much fun he’s having.
7. Alice Cooper playing “I’m Eighteen” in 1977 at the Aladdin Hotel
This track is featured on what some critics and fans call Alice Cooper’s best live album, The Alice Cooper Show. With that said, this song is also especially awesome because of the riffs and monster guitar solos.
8. Don Felder featuring Styx performing “Hotel California” at the Orleans Arena in 2015
Don Felder playing with Styx? Sign us up! In this clip, Styx lend a hand on “Hotel California,” a song Felder famously composed.
9. Guns N’ Roses at Prater Stadium in 1992 performing “November Rain”
If you get the chance to see Guns N’ Roses (reunion tour soon?), you better hope they play this because, apart from being a heart-wrenching and unforgettable song, it’s amazing live. Axl Rose puts a lot of emotion into this song.
10. Elvis Presley live in Las Vegas in 1970 playing “Suspicious Minds”
We’re saving the best for last because you can’t have a list about music in Vegas without the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis Presley was more than a teen idol. He was a rock icon, and this clip demonstrates his brilliance.