Ben Portsmouth traveled from the UK to perform a rendition of the 1970 song “Just Pretend” during the The King of Las Vegas festival July 9 in the historic International Showroom at the Westgate.

Still shaking things up

More than 50 years after setting foot on the Westgate stage, the King's reign in Vegas lives on

Story and photos by Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal

On July 31, 1969, one of the most famous performers of all time stepped onto the stage to begin his residency at the International (later the Las Vegas Hilton, and now Westgate).

Decades later, Elvis’ influence in Las Vegas remains large as ever, from wedding chapels and impersonators posing for tips on the Strip to the memorabilia filling shelves at countless gift shops.

This summer’s biopic “Elvis” directed by Baz Luhrmann took the top box office spot in its opening week, further proving his legacy is alive and well.

The King of Las Vegas, a three-day festival that hosted tribute artists from across the U.S. as well as Brazil and the U.K., took place July 8-10th at the International Showroom. The performances, with a full backing band and backup vocalists, were done on the very same stage where the King performed over 600 sold-out shows.

A separate event, The Las Vegas Tribute Festival, drew fans to Sam’s Town the following weekend, where fans once again clamored for their chance to get a scarf or kiss from the “King,” and waited after the shows to take pictures and get autographs.

A portrait of Elvis is displayed in the lobby of the Westgate, home of his legendary residency, in June days before the release of an “Elvis” biopic.

Gordon Prouty, vice president of public relations & community affairs at Westgate, shows the backstage spot where Elvis would would pause and say a prayer before performing at the International Theater during residency at Westgate.

Elvis tribute artists, or ETAs as they are known in the biz, are more than mere impersonators. They not only walk the walk and talk the talk, they deliver performances that feel almost like a recreation of the shows the King brought to Las Vegas, making the audience go crazy.

Seasoned tribute artist Ted Torres Martin from Orlando, Fla., who has racked up several ETA championships, described performing Elvis’ music as “absolutely incredible.”

“Every time I step on stage to sing his music it’s just a thrill to me, I always want to do the job right, for Elvis and his memory, and for the fans, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “It’s not about me, it’s about Elvis… it’s pretty much what I live for.”

Elvis’ legendary string of 636 consecutive sold-out shows at the resort still stands, although current headliner Barry Manilow is on a pace to surpass that number in 2023. (However, Manilow has split his shows over two residencies, and not all of them have been sellouts).

Nevada historian and UNLV professor Michael Green said Elvis’ shows were especially significant because they marked a turning point for the performer and the city as an entertainment powerhouse.

“When Elvis opens his residency at the International in 1969, that is the biggest hotel-casino in the world … He comes to Las Vegas, and he’s reinvented himself and his show, he’s no longer the young kid … he becomes a big attraction in Las Vegas,” Green said. “And he’s kind of a reminder or a sign… that now entertainment itself matters.”

Travis Allen, a longtime Las Vegas Elvis tribute artist who stars in the All Shook Up tribute at Alexis Park Resort, gets ready backstage. Allen hasalso served as the official Elvis for NASCAR in Las Vegas and has performed for dozens of private clients over the years.

Ben Portsmouth of the U.K. also rocked a classic Elvis jumpsuit and rocked one of his many acoustic guitars during the The King of Las Vegas festival in the historic International Showroom at Westgate in Las Vegas.

Jacob Roman, of Glendale, Calif., performs wearing a replica of Elvis’ gold lamé jacket — a fan favorite that debuted in a photo shoot from 1957 during the The King of Las Vegas festival earlier this month.

Tribute artist Diogo of Brazil, who, like Elvis, uses only his first name, performs during the The King of Las Vegas festival. In 2017, he won the ETA contest in Tupelo, where thousands attend the annual Elvis Festival. When not crooning Presley tunes, Diogo works as an attorney.

Elvis tribute artist Cody Ray Slaughter, of Arkansas, performs during the The King of Las Vegas festival in the historic International Showroom at Westgate.

Dean Z jumps on a table in the audience as an excited crowd cheers during the Las Vegas Tribute Festival at Sam’s Town on July 17.

Ted Torres Martin has been performing as Elvis since age 12. At The King of Las Vegas festival, Martin said “every time I step on stage to sing his music it’s just a thrill to me, I always want to do the job right, for Elvis and his memory, and for the fans, that’s the most important thing. It’s not about me, it’s about Elvis… it’s pretty much what I live for.”

Elvis tribute artist performs during the The King of Las Vegas festival in the historic International Showroom at Westgate.

Elvis tribute artist Bill Cherry hands out scarfs to fans during the The King of Las Vegas festival in the historic International Showroom at Westgate.

Elvis tribute artist Bill Cherry drapes a scarf around a fan during the The King of Las Vegas festival in the historic International Showroom at Westgate.

Elvis tribute artist Dean Z, left, talks with Lisa, who declined to give her last name, of Arizona, after the Las Vegas Tribute Festival at Sam’s Town.

A man who gave his name as “Bing King” and Lisa Edwards, right, of Philadelphia, react after King put his hat atop the Elvis statue at Westgate.

Susan Garcia, of Huntington Beach, Calif., takes a selfie with Dwight Eisenhower during the Las Vegas Tribute Festival at Sam’s Town.

Elvis tribute artist Travis Allen changes shoes as he gets ready to perform in the All Shook Up - Tribute to the King show at Alexis Park Resort.

Elvis tribute artist Cody Ray Slaughter, of Arkansas, performs during the The King of Las Vegas festival in the historic International Showroom at Westgate.