The future of Elvis imperson-ators, such as these scurrying across the Strip during the filming of a movie in 2003, is uncertain after the acquisition of control of The King's name and likeness by New York billionaire Robert F.X. Sillerman.
Details of an Elvis attraction planned opposite MGM Mirage's $7 billion CityCenter will be announced this month.
New York billionaire Robert F.X. Sillerman, in a Sunday New York Times interview, hinted that an interactive museum and Elvis theme show might be only the beginning, just as "Heartbreak Hotel" in 1956 was the first of 18 No. 1 hits.
Advertisement
That's the plan for one of Sillerman's two parcels of land. Suspicious minds envision an Elvis hotel and casino on the other plot.
Sillerman closed a $100 million deal last year with the Presley family for control of The King's name and likeness, but not his music.
Sillerman, cash-rich after the recent sale of his SFX Entertainment to Clear Channel for $4.5 billion, also owns a piece of the Broadway hit "The Producers."
His plans include an overhaul of Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., and the construction of two 400-room hotels after razing the 128-room Heartbreak Hotel.
The museum in Las Vegas will go on land stretching from the Harley-Davidson Cafe to Smith & Wollensky's.
Still unclear is whether Sillerman plans to crack down on Elvis impersonators, the Times said. In the past, Elvis Presley Enterprises allowed impersonators to use the name and likeness.
JERMAINE SHOPS HIS BOOK
Jermaine Jackson is shopping a tell-all book about kid brother Michael Jackson, the New York Daily News says.
In his pitch to publishers, Jermaine said the book would delve into his brother's drug and alcohol abuse and the family's molestation concerns.
Jermaine's proposal includes an anecdote about Michael calmly watching a "Pinocchio" DVD with his three children, then later, in a rage, trashing the hotel room.
That's probably a reference to MJ's meltdown in a Mirage villa in November 2003.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Speaking of celebs behaving badly: Lenny Kravitz's VIP villa at The Mirage ended up in a shambles after he opened for Aerosmith on Feb. 18 at the MGM Grand. The cleanup crew found shattered windows, busted mirrors and vases, "and a stench of weed," according to Us Weekly. Maybe it was a case of life imitating life: In one of Kravitz's music videos, he is shown leaving a trashed room.
SIGHTINGS
Rapper Lil Jon, bringing down the house with an impromptu one-hour performance Saturday night at Tao (The Venetian). ... Dennis Rodman and Dave Navarro, spraying the terrace crowd at Pure (Caesars Palace) with Dom Perignon champagne. Also in the house: Chris Tucker, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss and Chuck Liddell, with a posse from the Ultimate Fighting Championships. ... James Wood, playing no-limit hold 'em Saturday at the Bellagio. He's in town for the National Heads-Up Poker tournament at Caesars Palace. ... Chuck Norris, playing host to a large family party at the Prime Rib Loft at The Orleans. ... An A&E film crew, shooting footage for the second season of the hit show "Inked," featuring the tattoo parlor at the Palms. The exposure has been great for business: 40 to 50 people typically are waiting every morning for the doors to open.
THE PUNCH LINE
"I do have some sad news. Bjork couldn't be here tonight. She was trying on her Oscar dress, and Dick Cheney shot her." -- Jon Stewart, emceeing the Oscars on Sunday.
