Tempest Storm
Annie Banks, famously known as “Tempest Storm,” ruled the burlesque dance scene and was a regular performer in Las Vegas clubs. She even earned the title “The Queen of Exotic Dancers” during her prime. Born in Eastman, Georgia, in 1928, she moved to Hollywood and took on the name Tempest Storm when she turned 17. Soon, she landed an impressive deal: a 10-year contract with the Bryan-Engels burlesque chain, guaranteeing her $100,000 annually.
This made her the highest-paid burlesque star ever. In her personal life, Storm was romantically linked to famous names like Elvis Presley, Mickey Rooney, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr., and even gangster Mickey Cohen. Tempest Storm’s career spanned more than 60 years, and she made her mark on screen too. Recently, she was featured in a documentary that explored her fascinating life story.
Aerial View of the Newly Completed Flamingo Hotel
Most of what we think we know about the Flamingo Hotel and Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel comes from the 1991 movie “Bugsy “in 1991. The real deal was quite different – especially the opening night at the Flamingo in 1946. Forget what happened in the film because opening night was a big deal. They had a special three-night grand opening. First, two nights for the locals, then the third night for celebrities.
Opening night was wild – a traffic jam at the parking lot, and when the doors opened, it was like a rush to claim the Wild West. The opening party was unlike anything Vegas had seen. People described the Flamingo as “posh, ritzy, and elegant.” Carpets, draperies, and fancy dishes filled the place, as well as truckloads of flower decorations – wreaths, horseshoes, and baskets.
John F. Kennedy Visits
Prior to his presidency, John F. Kennedy often visited the Sands Hotel throughout the 1950s. As a friend of Frank Sinatra, the eventual 35th president would often show up at performances in Vegas. The two first met when Sinatra sang "The House I Live In," at a Democratic rally. The song won a special Oscar in 1946. Sinatra and Kennedy began hanging out more often – sometimes at the young senator’s hotel suite or at Sinatra’s Palm Springs home.
By then, the singer already owned a piece of the fancy Sands casino on the Vegas Strip. Here is Kennedy pictured with Peter Lawford, his brother-in-law, who was also a member of the famous Rat Pack. Sinatra and Kennedy both had something the other wanted. When Kennedy aimed for the presidency, the Rat Pack became his cheerleaders.
Junior Rodeo
Since we’re time traveling back to the 1950s, a pitstop at a Junior Rodeo is always in order! Junior Rodeos were all the rage back then. Everyone wanted to watch pint-sized cowboys and cowgirls showcasing their rodeo talents with the same energy as the pros. From tiny bull riding to speedy barrel racing, these events were a blast.
Families and locals gathered to cheer on these young rodeo stars, passing down the cowboy spirit. Those junior rodeos in Vegas were the start of a legacy for aspiring rodeo masters. In 1952, the American Junior Rodeo Association was established in Texas with a similar model to the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn
When Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn first opened its doors in 1950, the deceptive sign in front featured a Joshua tree with not much ceremony around it. But inside was a different matter. Big-name entertainers were present, celebrating what they called "the most amazing opening Las Vegas had ever seen."
Opening night had performances by Edgar Bergan, Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd, Vivian Blaine, and the Ray Noble Orchestra. The Desert Inn was the fifth resort ever built on the Strip. It featured mind-boggling amenities like an 18-hole golf course and a beautiful observation deck overlooking all the swimming pools. The hotel's entertainment hall, the "Crystal Showroom" hosted legends like Bobby Darin, Liberace, and Howard Hughs.