Las Vegas Mixtape v38: Backstreet Thrills, A Grand Café, and Forever Blues — Track #4: “1969 LIVE! The King Returns” @Westgate Resort and Casino’s International Theater

Track #4: “1969 LIVE! The King Returns” @Westgate Resort and Casino’s International Theater

It was fantastic to step into a time machine on July 31 at the Westgate Resort and Casino’s International Theater. That’s where dedicated Elvis Presley tribute artist Travis Powell faithfully recreated—with two packed shows billed as “1969 LIVE! The King Returns”—Elvis’ classic performance on July 31, 1969 at the very same venue. As with the original show, the ladies lined up in front of the stage waiting to be kissed by their eternal idol.

Back in 1969, Elvis hadn’t performed live onstage since 1961, so the launch show of his International engagement was historic. His residency there lasted seven years (through December 12, 1976) and he died shortly thereafter (on August 16, 1977) at 42.

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A vintage photo of Elvis performing at the International Theater on display in the hotel lobby. (Image: Vegas 411)

Judging by this show’s adoring crowd—the woman sitting next to me said she thought her “pacemaker was going to explode”—Elvis has seemingly never left the building.  Powell distinctively channeled Elvis, vocally and visually, in hit after hit, even mimicking those exaggerated karate moves that “The King” was famous for deploying onstage. It all made me wonder if Elvis ever left the building.