USA: Las Vegas, NV

Michael is presented with a key to the City of Las Vegas in 2003:

“I like the entertainment. It’s a fun place to visit.”
— MJ on what he likes about Las Vegas.

MJ-related places on the Strip

“MICHAEL JACKSON ONE” AT MANDALAY BAY
A spectacular extravaganza produced jointly by Cirque du Soleil and the Michael Jackson Estate and staged in Mandalay Bay resort theater. If you are in Las Vegas and you are an MJ fan, you have to see it. Check Cirque du Soleil website for tickets! The show premiered in March 2013 and has enjoyed huge success since. It is entertaining, cutting edge, and truly embodies the spirit of Michael and his music. Near the theater entrance there are a few items of Michael’s show clothes on display. There is also a Michael Jackson One boutique, which will undoubtedly leave a dent on your credit card.

BALLY’S AND MGM GRAND
In April 1974, The Jackson family starred in their own show at the MGM Grand (now known as Bally’s) in Las Vegas. The show boasted a variety of song and dance numbers from the Jackson 5 and other family members Janet, La Toya and Randy. The show had a different format and presentation to The Jackson 5’s usual performances for Motown and the family had total control of the show’s content. The show was extremely well received with stunning reviews and after their first series of shows in April, the family went back to Las Vegas to perform in August and then again in November. Michael Jackson later reflected on that experience:

“The brothers thought hangin’ out in hotels with white people would be no fun. But I wanted to play Las Vegas. To me, Las Vegas was part of show business tradition. At that meeting, our father told us two things : first he said he was trying to show the world that we were every bit as good as The Osmonds; then he told us about Sammy Davis and what he went through so that guys like us could play Las Vegas… I wanted more than anything to be a part of that great tradition. To me, it was very important. It was a giant step.”

In 1985, the hotel was sold and renamed to Bally’s. The MGM Grand name was transferred to the former Marina Hotel, now known as MGM Grand Las Vegas.

Here, at the new MGM Grand, the ill-fated Jackson Family Honors show was held in 1994. The show, first envisaged as an annual event, ended up with a lawsuit and was never repeated in subsequent years. But the event is still memorable if only because that night Michael was extra cute and looked absolutely stunning.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
The hotel where Michael stayed during the trip to Vegas with Martin Bashir in 2002, and where part of the documentary “Living with Michael Jackson” was filmed.
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is situated within the Mandalay Bay Hotel&Casino complex, yet the Hotel is completely independent, featuring its own private driveway, lobby and amenities.

THE VENETIAN HOTEL (ANTIQUE SHOP, HOUDINI’S MAGIC SHOP and MADAME TUSSAUD’S)
The infamous antique shop Regis Galerie where Michael went on a lavish shopping spree with Martin Bashir is located in Grand Canal Shops Gallery in hotel Venetian. The owner of the shop doesn’t like to brag about his high-profile customers, however if you manage to get him talking he might give you some interesting insights. For example, he says that Michael’s behavior during the filming was not typical for him – it seemed to be somewhat a show-off. Usually Michael was more attentive to things he wanted to buy and loved to bargain. He also liked ho have a glass of champaign to celebrate a good purchase. The rumor is, being upset by how negative the documentary had turned out, Michael later returned all the things he bought on that day.

Not far from Regis Galerie, also among the Grand Canal Shops, is Houdini’s Magic Shop owned by magician Geoffrey Hansen (who himself is at the counter on the photo below). Michael was a frequent customer, and, according to Geoffrey, “very serious” about the craft of magic.

Also in the Venetian hotel is Las Vegas Madame Tussaud’s museum where you can see a wax figure of MJ.

RECORDING STUDIO AT THE PALMS HOTEL
Michael worked at the Palms recording studio when he was staying in Vegas in 2008.
4321 Flamingo Road, Las Vegas

MJ LIVE TRIBUTE SHOW AT THE RIO HOTEL
If you are into impersonators and have time for one extra show, check out MJ LIVE tribute show staged at the Rio Hotel. The show promises to recreate Jackson’s biggest hits with dancing and special effects.
3700 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas‎

Other places on the Strip connected to Michael include Bellagio hotel where he stayed with Elizabeth Taylor, and Mirage hotel where he was staying in 2003 during the filming of “One More Chance” video and was asked to leave after the sudden police raid in Neverland.

The glorious performance of the Bellagio fountains includes dances to many different songs, among which is Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” The song plays once a day (except for the holiday season), and the schedule is different every day, so you are lucky if you catch it! You can try to refer to this schedule, but there is no guarantee it hasn’t changed.

 

Off the Strip

MICHAEL’S LAS VEGAS HOME
The house Michael Jackson leased in Las Vegas in 2008. In this house he celebrated his last, 50th birthday, accepting congratulations from devoted fans that gathered outside the gates with presents and balloons.
2710 Palomino Lane, Las Vegas