Crazy stuff happens in Las Vegas. Just ask Prince Harry or the guys from The Hangover. It’s a place where you expect the unexpected. It could be something tame like locking your keys in the car at Hoover Dam – with the car running. Or, it could be something crazy like, I don’t know, getting a bunch of women to visit your suite and play strip billiards. Whatever the case, it seems that everyone who goes to Vegas comes back with a story.
This is the story from my last visit.
As the cab took us to check in at The Mirage, the hotel with the erupting volcano in front of it, my girlfriend noticed the sign in front of Caesar’s Palace. Elton John was performing that week, and she wanted to go badly.
I never understood what a volcano had to do with a desert mirage.
After getting the room situated, we walked through the mall at Caesar’s and made our way to the box office. The Caesar’s mall is designed to look like the Roman Forum and is filled with fancy stores. Since the Roman Forum was outside, this mall is designed to look like its outside.
It never rains in the mall at Caesar’s Palace.
The lady at the box office said that the show was sold out, but we might have an opportunity to get in. The first three rows were reserved for high rollers, and they probably wouldn’t fill all of the seats. If we would come back a few minutes before the start of the show we could get a couple of those seats.
We went back to the box office ten minutes before showtime and got third row seats FOR FREE. We walked down there like we were somebody. If the people in the upper deck only knew. Anyway, the show was great. Elton John’s piano was right in front of us, and the stage wasn’t very tall. It was like seeing him in a piano bar. They showed cool videos with each song, and he explained what each one meant.
Then, the usher walked up and tapped me on the shoulder. I thought this is it. Some high roller decided that he wanted the tickets, and we were going to get kicked out. Instead, the usher said:
“During the next song, you need to go onstage.”
“What?”
“During the next song, everyone in the first three rows gets to go onstage and dance.”
When the next song started, I grabbed my girlfriend and said, “Let’s go!”
“Where are we going?”
“Up there.”
Dozens of people danced around Elton’s piano as we danced to “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting“. The linked video shows a similar scene. I hung around the lead guitarist because I wanted to see what he was doing. Balloons fell around us as Elton played and sang. It was one of the coolest things ever.
Yep, it didn’t take long to get from “Light Blue 4” to the stage.
When we got back home, I told everybody about it. Some thought we made it up. Others thought it was cool. My more close-minded friends went another direction with stuff like:
“Did Elton get your number?”
“I bet they only invited guys up there.”
“I hope you stuck close to your girlfriend.”
You know, crap like that. I don’t care. I still thought it was great.
As we left the concert, my girlfriend and I were still talking about being onstage. We walked through the mall to get back to The Mirage and were not paying attention to where we were going. As we turned a corner, I literally ran into this guy.
Hey, what the fuck?
That’s right. After dancing around Elton John’s piano, I almost knocked over Ozzy Osbourne.
I didn’t get anyone to play strip billiards with me, but that was my best night in Las Vegas.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 
what a cool night! Now I regret I didn’t go to that Narrative Conference last year in LV…
If you get the chance you have to go. There are famous people everywhere. And a bunch of attractive non-famous people. Ha. Really, it’s a fun place.
I believe you, I’ve been to Vegas. I know anything can happen! Unfortunately Barry Manilow was playing at Paris where I stayed – definitely not the Elton experience. We got tickets to the High Rollers breakfast room, no Ozzy only old croissants and even older cowboys. Cute in their Stetsons and oversize belt buckles though. Cheers
You are correct. Anything can happen in Vegas. Barry Manilow was in Nashville a few weeks ago, and they were giving tickets away. How was the high rollers breakfast?
That’s great. If Jackson Browne plays Vegas you wanna go?
I just began reading your blog. I am really enjoying it.
I have a B.A. In History. I once fancied going further and becoming a college professor, but life got in the way.
Thanks for reading my blog and following it. What attracted your attention?
Jackson Browne is one of those people who I have wanted to see but never have. I’m good to go any time. He played nearby a few weeks ago.
It’s cool to find someone with a History degree. There’s not many of us. Ha. Teaching is a fun job and very fulfilling. You should try it if you get the chance.
I saw your comment on Restaurant Bastards. I love his blog!
I was intrigued by your name, as I, too, often feel as though I am surrounded by imbeciles.
I’ve seen Jackson countless times. I missed him when he was in Manhattan a few weeks ago.
I enjoyed earning my History degree and I love having one. While it’s not very marketable, unless you use it to teach, I feel that it teaches you to think critically. I also think that folks with History degrees write well.
What is your area of specialization? Mine is Colonial America to The American System, with a focus on American Legal History.
Yes, the Restaurant Bastard has a great blog. Now, I know what not to do in a restaurant. I specialize in the 19th Century American West. Specifically, I research prostitution in mining camps.
The name of my blog came from a statement I made many years ago, but I still feel surrounded sometimes.
I love everything about Vegas… The only bad part is coming home with an empty wallet, thanks to eating, shows, and shopping. However, right now I feel like bemoaning the fact that I never run into famous people. It doesn’t matter where I am. I live in NY, and the only famous person I’ve ever run into was Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Vegas is a great town. I’ve come back with more money a few times but not very often.
I thought that you would see a lot of famous people in New York. Famous people are seen in here Nashville all of the time. That is if country singers can be considered famous. Ha.
Great story!
Thanks. It was a great night.
My visit to Vegas was decidedly dull. Perhaps we should hang out with you the next time you go there.
I must admit that most of my nights there have been dull as well. I crammed all of the exciting stuff into one night.
What a great story! A stiff wind could knock Ozzy over, though.
I think it’s awesome that you got to dance onstage with Elton John. Having said that, I’d still be one of the people that made an immature comment. I’m an irrepressible juvenile sometimes.
What a great experience, and for free! Obviously, that would be worth paying for (and you were willing), but bonus!
The closest experience I’ve had like that (good seats at a big show) was for an Erasure concert in 1990 at Seattle’s Key Arena. We had nosebleed seats, and we (foolishly, it seemed) traded our tickets and $30 bucks (a little more than ticket price at the time) for what the scalper promised were front-row seats. After we bought them, we realized that if something seems to good to be true, it probably is.
It wasn’t, though. Front row seats!
I’m not a fan of Vegas, generally. It’s so vulgar and crass. And yes, I’m aware that’s a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black, but I’m a hypocrite, what can I say?
It was a cool night. There is nothing like having front row seats. You should post about your concert experience.
A lot of people don’t have fun in Las Vegas, but I have had fun each time I’ve gone. However, it needs to be experienced in small doses.