The Music That Lit Up Neon Vegas

Las Vegas has always been a bit of a stage. Beneath the glow of neon signs, legends rose and entire eras of music were born, reimagined, and perfected. To walk through The Neon Museum today is to step back into that soundtrack: the Rat Pack’s velvet swagger, the rockabilly twang that kept feet moving all night, and the larger-than-life performances that gave the desert city its glittering reputation.

As the fall season settles in, there’s no better time to revisit the music that once lit up Las Vegas and inspire a playlist that keeps the city’s golden years alive.

The Rat Pack Era: Cool, Crisp, and Effortlessly Swinging

Rat Pack members Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra seen backstage after performing a benefit at Carnegie Hall in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January 1961.

Courtesy: Getty Images

No musical story of Las Vegas is complete without the Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., who practically turned the Strip into their personal club. Their shows at the Sands were cultural touchstones that blended music, comedy, and the kind of charisma that defined an entire era.

A fall playlist inspired by vintage Vegas needs Sinatra’s smooth “Fly Me to the Moon,” Dean Martin’s warm “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” and Sammy’s dynamic “That Old Black Magic.” Together, these tracks channel the feeling of a crisp desert evening with neon signs buzzing and martinis in hand.

Rockabilly on Fremont: Rebellion Meets Rhythm

The sign for the International Hotel and Casino advertises a performance by Elvis Presley in 1969.
Getty Images

While the Rat Pack ruled the Strip, Fremont Street pulsed with rockabilly. Acts like Elvis Presley and Wanda Jackson brought a fiery energy to Las Vegas stages, blending country roots with rhythm and blues in a way that felt rebellious and new. Elvis’s residency at the International in the late ’60s cemented Vegas as his kingdom, but long before that, songs like “That’s All Right” and “Jailhouse Rock” set the tone. Wanda Jackson’s “Let’s Have a Party” captured the no-rules energy of early Vegas nightlife. These songs give your fall soundtrack a wild spark!

Lounge Legends and Neon Nights

Beyond the big names, Las Vegas nurtured a whole ecosystem of lounge acts and crooners who became part of the city’s musical DNA.

Louis Prima and Keely Smith brought high-energy swing and a playful back-and-forth to the Sahara. Prima’s “Jump, Jive an’ Wail” is still irresistible, while Smith’s smoky renditions of ballads created moments of intimacy in the Entertainment Capital of the World. Add their music to your playlist and you’ll feel the hum of a packed lounge, dim lights, and neon flashing outside the window.

The Big Showstoppers

Las Vegas also carved out a reputation for grand showrooms that hosted performers like Liberace. Known as much for his sparkling costumes and dazzling pianos as his music, Liberace embodied Vegas glitz.

A Liberace flourish can’t be overlooked on any vintage Vegas playlist. Likewise, consider adding the orchestral drama of Tom Jones, whose “It’s Not Unusual” turned the Strip into a dance floor. These were just some of the performers who proved Las Vegas was about larger-than-life entertainment under a neon glow.

Building the Vintage Vegas Fall Soundtrack

As the temperatures cool and the desert skies turn a deeper shade of gold, music becomes the perfect backdrop to set the mood. Vintage Vegas offers a soundtrack that feels timeless:

The Rat Pack for evenings that call for elegance and warmth
Elvis and Wanda Jackson when you need rhythm and rebellion
Louis Prima and Keely Smith for a burst of energy in the middle of your day
Liberace and Tom Jones for drama and flair

Together, these songs build a playlist that pairs perfectly with fall evenings, whether you’re strolling through the Neon Boneyard or simply cozying up at home.

Your Fall in Vegas Playlist

Here are the songs mentioned throughout the blog so you can create the soundtrack to your season:

Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon
Dean Martin – Ain’t That a Kick in the Head
Sammy Davis Jr. – That Old Black Magic
Elvis Presley – That’s All Right
Elvis Presley – Jailhouse Rock
Wanda Jackson – Let’s Have a Party
Louis Prima – Jump, Jive an’ Wail
Keely Smith – I Wish You Love (or another signature ballad)
Liberace – Boogie Woogie (or a signature piano flourish)
Tom Jones – It’s Not Unusual

Experience Vintage Vegas at The Neon Museum

The best way to bring this playlist to life is to experience it against the backdrop of the signs that once lit up these very performers’ names. The Neon Museum preserves the icons of the Strip, from the Sands to the Stardust.

This fall, let the city’s vintage soundtrack accompany your visit. Visit us today to experience true vintage Vegas!

Sources

Nevada Magazine. “Louis Prima and Keely Smith.” February 1995. https://nevadamagazine.com/issue/february-1995/6994/
“Louis and Keely Live at the Sahara.” May 19, 2006. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/louis-keely-live-sahara-34378/