HOMELas Vegas Hilton Celebrates 40 Years!
Loyal employees celebrate 40 years with The Las Vegas Hilton
The Las Vegas Hilton celebrated its 40th anniversary on July 2 by saluting 20 employees who have worked at the Hilton since the year the property opened as the International in 1969.
Designed to be the world’s largest casino hotel at that time, Barbra Streisand opened the property, but it was Elvis who made it an instant Las Vegas landmark. The International became the Las Vegas Hilton in March 1971. Colony Resorts purchased the Hilton in 2004.
The 40th anniversary celebration included day-long festivities in the employee dining room with music from 1969, a 1969 costume contest and raffle prizes. The original employees are as follows:
Odessa Nelson
Hired: June 28, 1969
Environmental Services
Odessa started in housekeeping and worked back stage. She fondly remembers working with Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Liberace, Bill Cosby, Redd Foxx and many more.
• Jannie Hudson
Hired: October 19, 1969
Housekeeping
Jannie remembers getting a first-hand look at all of Elvis’ costumes and capes. She also remembers having a lot of fun with the rest of the celebrities who came to the property, especially Bill Cosby.
Lowell Reed
Hired: July 1, 1969
Chef’s Department
Lowell has worked for the Chef’s Department the entire time he’s worked at the Hilton. He fondly remembers cooking for Bill Cosby. He cooked soul food especially for him including fried chicken, greens and yams. He also would come in for pork chops smothered in thick gravy. Redd Foxx was a familiar face in the kitchen, he’d come to the back and specifically ask for Lowell to cook his bacon; he was the only one who knew how to do it right.
• Larry Hawken
Hired: August 2, 1968
Security
Larry transferred to the International (from the Flamingo Hilton) about six weeks before it opened. He remembers coming in from the general dock and being able to see straight through to the front door. There were no walls around the theater yet.
Tim Buckley
Hired: July 10, 1969
Valet
Tim says it was “busier than busy” during the International’s first year. This hotel was the place to see and be seen. As a valet, he had to wear dress shoes and long pants in 115 degree heat. There were no shorts, sneakers and polos back then.
• Mary Ogas
Hired: August 13, 1964
Food & Beverage Cashier
There is not a single person on this property who has been at the Las Vegas Hilton longer than Mary. She transferred to the International from the Flamingo Hilton and has been there ever since. Next month, Mary will celebrate her 45th anniversary.
Rosanne Savarro
Hired: August 19, 1969
Front Desk
Rosanne came to the International just six weeks after it opened. She fondly remembers how everyone dressed — glamorous. She used to sneak into the theater on her breaks and watch Elvis practice for his concerts. Rosanne said it was just $10 for dinner and the Elvis show. What a bargain! She also remembers that Bill Cosby and Redd Foxx would stop by the front desk often, just to say hello.
• Ronald Heit, February 26, 1968, Tempo bartender
• James Deangelo, March 23, 1968, casino supervisor
• Mario Martines, May 2, 1968, dealer
• Angel Lopez-Rosas, March 11, 1968, Hilton Theater usher
• Emma Schussold, March 19, 1969 environmental services porter
• Dorothy Smith, June 26, 1969, head houseperson for housekeeping
• Vernell Barnett, June 26, 1969, environmental services porter
• Antonio Lauro, June 30, 1969, Hilton Theater usher
• Ann Grinberg, July 1, 1969, cashier at Hibachi
• Victor Petty, July 1, 1969, casino supervisor
• Concepcion Hermosillo, October 24, 1969, environmental services porter
• Mylas Thompson, November 14, 1969, banquet food server
• Hidenori Nishihama, November 18, 1969, manager at Hibachi
The Las Vegas Hilton, which opened as the International on July 2, 1969 is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special day for employees, special casino promotions, commemorative gaming chips and a 24/7 happy hour.
It's been about 10 years since I met William Barron Hilton, co-chairman of the Hilton Hotels chain, paternal grandfather of Paris. For me, The Las Vegas Hilton has been one of my preferred places for celebrity interviews, which include my interviews with Dennis Miller, Nancy Wilson, Wayne Newton, Bob Parker and late James Brown "The Godfather of Soul", to name a few.
The resort is celebrating the anniversary with a salute to the 19 employees who are still working at the Hilton from the day the property opened as the International, with a day-long celebration in the employee dining room with music from 1969, a 1969 costume contest, and raffle prizes. Two special $5 commemorative gaming chips, one bearing the likeness of Elvis and the other of Barbra Streisand (and a picture of the Hilton marquee from that period on the other) are available for sale at the casino cage. The casino is also offering free 40th anniversary t-shirts to players who earn one reward dollar playing tables or slots. The front of the t-shirt reads "Where Were You in '69?"
The Hilton, which transformed itself over the last five years into a modern resort under the ownership of Colony Resorts, has a rich Las Vegas history. The International was designed to be the world's largest casino hotel at that time. Barbra Streisand opened the 1,568-room property, but it was Elvis who made the International an instant Las Vegas landmark. Elvis debuted at the International on July 31, 1969, performing 837 consecutive sold-out shows and performing before 2.5 million people. His final show was December 12, 1976.
During several decades, the Hilton (the International became the Las Vegas Hilton in March 1971) was home to superstar entertainment, major conventions, a great race and sports book (the SuperBook), and big boxing events. Then, for several years, the property languished. When Colony Resorts purchased the Hilton in 2004, it committed to a $100 million transformation of the property, including bringing back the glory of the legendary SuperBook and launching a strong entertainment policy.
Barry Manilow debuted as the Hilton's resident headliner on February 23, 2005. The superstar continues to perform in the Hilton Theater through 2009. Other big-name entertainers joined the Hilton: Michael Bublé made his Las Vegas debut at the Las Vegas Hilton in February 2006, followed by Diana Krall in June 2007. The Hilton became home to Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Reba McEntire, the Doobie Brothers, Heart, and Brooks & Dunn. Today, the Las Vegas Hilton looks to a bright future, welcoming conventions, casino players and leisure travelers. Certainly the Hilton name will remain a bright light to all Las Vegas and the world.
There are still memorable moments; one of which was last month when Julio Iglesias performed. This was a wonderful moment when the audience and Iglesias bonded together. I would be remised if I didn't mention the Hilton'sTempo Lounge and The Shimmer Showroom that now features Voices Starring Earl Turner and Lani Misalucha, Sin City Heat, and Sin City Bad Girls. That was one of the great things about Las Vegas and still remains that way at Las Vegas Hilton.