Best Free Tribute Show in Vegas: Big Elvis

Popped in at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon yesterday, and fought our way diligently through the standing-room-only crowd to hear Big Elvis (real name: Pete Vallee) work his musical magic!

Pete Vallee is Big Elvis at Bill's Gamblin' Hall and Saloon in Las Vegas

Big guy. Bigger voice.

It was a Monday afternoon, and Big Elvis still packed ‘em in at Bill’s Lounge. After all, he’s a Las Vegas institution. (He’s weathered several changes in ownership of Bill’s, formerly the Barbary Coast.)

Beyond being an impressive Elvis tribute artist, Big Elvis has been on an impressive journey of his own. When he began performing on the Strip, he weighed in at 945 pounds, and he’s now closer to 425. All done with diet and exercise, from what we understand.

Pete Vallee even mastered the Elvis smirk!

He's even mastered the Elvis smirk!

Lesson learned: Arrive early for the best seating! Catch him Monday through Friday at 3:00, 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. Elvis fans agree, it’s the best free tribute show in Las Vegas.

Big Elvis is keeping the Presley legend alive, and becoming a legend in his own right at Bill’s. Read more about Big Elvis. Or book a room at Bill’s.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 5:28 pm and is filed under Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, Las Vegas Casinos, Las Vegas Entertainment, Things to Do. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. To leave a comment you must be 21 years of age or older.

  • sharon

    Can’t wait to visit Vegas again, will be there from 3rd December, have to see Pete Vallee! Incredible voice, highlight of our holiday, worth the long flight from England just for Pete’s show. See you there! Sharon and Alan X

  • sharon

    Can’t wait to visit Vegas again, will be there from 3rd December, have to see Pete Vallee! Incredible voice, highlight of our holiday, worth the long flight from England just for Pete’s show. See you there! Sharon and Alan X

  • sroeben

    Thanks for the note, Sharon and Alan! We love Pete, too. Hope you’re getting lots of frequent flyer miles for coming all that way to see his show!

  • sroeben

    Thanks for the note, Sharon and Alan! We love Pete, too. Hope you’re getting lots of frequent flyer miles for coming all that way to see his show!

  • Dave

    Looking forward to seeing Big Elvis the next time I’m in Vegas. Sooner the better. Never miss his shows.

  • Dave

    Looking forward to seeing Big Elvis the next time I’m in Vegas. Sooner the better. Never miss his shows.

  • RON

    Whenever I am in Las Vegas the highlight of my trip is a visit to watch Big Elvis a.k.a. Peter Vallee. I just returned from Las Vegas and was able to catch TEN of Big Elvis shows and they were all fantastic and I even participated in one of them. Without a doubt Peter and Chuck are the best performers that Harrah’s properties has working for them. I UNderstand that Peter just renewed his contract for a ninth year. Harrah’s should have made it a multi-year contract. I also understand that they still have not negotiated a contract with Chuck Rawlings beyond April 30th. This is a major mistake. Chuck is an Instrumental part of the show and the friendship between the two performers is genuine and heartfelt. I beg of Harraah’s to soon rectify this situation. I will be back in early April…….I pray it is resolved by then. Thank you Peter and Chuck for all the great experiences you have provided myself and my family members over the years. I have been coming for six years now and will continue to come as long as you are there.

  • RON

    Whenever I am in Las Vegas the highlight of my trip is a visit to watch Big Elvis a.k.a. Peter Vallee. I just returned from Las Vegas and was able to catch TEN of Big Elvis shows and they were all fantastic and I even participated in one of them. Without a doubt Peter and Chuck are the best performers that Harrah’s properties has working for them. I UNderstand that Peter just renewed his contract for a ninth year. Harrah’s should have made it a multi-year contract. I also understand that they still have not negotiated a contract with Chuck Rawlings beyond April 30th. This is a major mistake. Chuck is an Instrumental part of the show and the friendship between the two performers is genuine and heartfelt. I beg of Harraah’s to soon rectify this situation. I will be back in early April…….I pray it is resolved by then. Thank you Peter and Chuck for all the great experiences you have provided myself and my family members over the years. I have been coming for six years now and will continue to come as long as you are there.

  • sroeben

    Thank you for your thoughts, Ron!

  • sroeben

    Thank you for your thoughts, Ron!

  • Betty

    Congratulations to Pete and Amanda on their upcoming wedding nuptials. I am planning to be in Las Vegas on Monday, July 19th and was wondering if Big Elvis will be entertaining at Bill’s or will he be away on his honeymoon?

  • Betty

    Congratulations to Pete and Amanda on their upcoming wedding nuptials. I am planning to be in Las Vegas on Monday, July 19th and was wondering if Big Elvis will be entertaining at Bill’s or will he be away on his honeymoon?

  • sroeben

    Great question, Betty! We’re trying to find out.

  • sroeben

    Great question, Betty! We’re trying to find out.

  • Jack

    I love Pete’s Show it is part of my Vegas tradition. I once saw Pete when he had a very good Sinatra impersonator as part of the show, does anybody know who this might have been and where I might be able to catch his act?

  • Jack

    I love Pete’s Show it is part of my Vegas tradition. I once saw Pete when he had a very good Sinatra impersonator as part of the show, does anybody know who this might have been and where I might be able to catch his act?

  • sroeben

    Jack, Pete’s people say the Sinatra impersonator in question was Gilbert Gauthier. Sounds like he’s based in California, and we’re not aware of his performing in Vegas at the moment. Here’s more info.: http://www.fasinatra.com/gilbert_as_frank.htm

  • sroeben

    Jack, Pete’s people say the Sinatra impersonator in question was Gilbert Gauthier. Sounds like he’s based in California, and we’re not aware of his performing in Vegas at the moment. Here’s more info.: http://www.fasinatra.com/gilbert_as_frank.htm