FRANKLY SPEAKING BY FRANK LEGATO
Still in the Building
After 11 months , it looks as if the Elvis Presley controversy in Las Vegas wedding chapels has died down . Thank goodness .
As you may recall , Authentic Brands Group ( ABG ), the company that bought the rights to the King ’ s image and brand from the Elvis Presley estate , sent cease-and-desist letters last May to Las Vegas chapels that have Elvis impersonators as the officiants , telling them to stop using the likeness of Elvis Presley without permission .
The letters sent a shock wave through the more than 50 Las Vegas chapels that offer Elvis weddings . One of the quintessential Vegas things is taking your vows before the King . Heck , for our 25th anniversary , my wife and I renewed our vows before a very convincing Elvis .
Well , after much consternation , negotiations with ABG resulted in the company making a statement that Elvis will not be leaving the chapel buildings after all .
“ We are working with the chapels to ensure that the usage of Elvis ’ name , image and likeness are in keeping with his legacy ,” ABG told FOX5 News in Las Vegas last summer . “ Elvis is embedded into the fabric of Las Vegas , and we embrace and celebrate Elvis fandom . From tribute artists and impersonators to chapels and fan clubs , each and every one of these groups helps to keep Elvis relevant for new generations of fans .”
Chapel owners breathed a sigh of relief , and after nearly a year , there have been no indications that the ceremonies are leading to any lawsuits , or even cease-and-desist orders .
That ’ s good news , because it would be tragic if Vegas lost one of the quirky activities that define the gaming capital . Our own renewal of the vows was at the Graceland Chapel in Downtown Las Vegas , which claims to be the original Elvis wedding chapel . According to its website , luminaries to tie the knot there include Jon Bon Jovi and the rock group KISS .
It doesn ’ t say how KISS got married by Elvis . Was it all four members of the band with their brides ? Did they upstage Elvis by wearing their stupid clown makeup during the ceremony ? Did they subsequently rock and roll all night and party every day ? If so , how many days were involved ? Enquiring minds want to know .
By the way , our Elvis ceremony was delightfully cheeseball . The officiant was somewhere between Aloha from Hawaii Elvis and puffy Elvis from his final days . As I recall , we bought the “ Love Me Tender Package ” for around $ 400 . Three songs , and corny vows like “ I promise to love you tender and to not be cruel .” It was a blast . And no cease-and-desist orders . As far as I know , there have been no controversies in California , either , after the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino late last year introduced its newest employee , “ Elvis ” the robot waiter .
Serving up orders at Chukchansi ’ s Deuces Diner , Elvis is a “ Servi model
assistant ” from Bear Robotics , the same company that supplies non-Elvis robots to some Denny ’ s locations .
The Chukchansi ’ s Elvis isn ’ t going to draw any lawsuits , though . Other than the name and a picture of a sideburned kind-of-Elvis-looking guy on a portrait behind the serving tray , the gizmo simply transports orders from the kitchen to various tables , and does simple bussing and cleaning chores . I don ’ t know if it sings a single song to the customers .
It doesn ’ t even look like a robot . It looks more like a moving room-service tray . Heck , if you ’ re going to do an Elvis robot , at least have a head with sideburns and a sequined jumpsuit . Maybe some nuts and bolts on the side of the head , like the robot maid from The Jetsons .
That ’ s what I would have done , but then again , I ’ m pretty much defined by cartoons from the 1960s . And The Three Stooges .
Hey , I know — what about Stooge robot servers ? They could slap and poke each other as they serve you your food faster than you can say “ Ticonderoga .” If you can say “ Ticonderoga .” ( Hey , I ’ m always thinking .) But anyway , the Elvis robot communicates a larger reality for the casino industry : we love nostalgia acts . The most recent lineup for the Showplace Theatre at Oklahoma City ’ s Riverwind Casino offers a prime example . Headliners this year include Earth , Wind and Fire , Collective Soul , Counting Crows , REO Speedwagon , Chicago and Foreigner .
It proves that casinos are still where old acts go to die . In fact , casinos are where they go even after they die , from the Rat Pack to George Burns to that old standby , the King of Rock and Roll . All I can say is :
Thangya . Thangya very much .
38 Global Gaming Business APRIL 2023