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" re
you sure this won't implode the place?" superstar Wayne
Newton joked, a worried look creasing his tanned face.
Newton was on hand in January 2000 to throw the switch
lighting the famous Stardust Hotel-Casino sign featuring the Las Vegas
icon as the star attraction.
His reference to Las Vegas legends such as the Sands,
Dunes and Aladdin being imploded didn't go unnoticed among Las Vegas
veterans. Newton was once an owner of the Aladdin.
Newton, who started performing at the Fremont hotel as a
teen-ager 41 years ago, has signed a long-term contract at the Stardust
and says he likes the permanency of his new gig.
The 188-foot-tall Stardust sign has been a landmark on the
Las Vegas Strip since 1958 and was at one time the world's tallest
electric sign. Its distinctive marquee contains over 33,600
lights.
The changes in the sign and Newton's signing aren't the only
innovations at the legendary Strip resort. The Stardust recently
completed a $25 million renovation that includes a 2.5 acre outdoor
recreational complex joining two Stardust swimming pools.
Also included is complete remodeling of 1,270 tower rooms
and 190 tower suites.
The Stardust is owned by Boyd Gaming Corp., one of the top
gaming companies in the country. The company also owns four other
Las Vegas properties -- the California Hotel, Sam Boyd's Fremont Hotel,
Main Street Station and Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall. |
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