Grand Opening Of Bonanza Hotel & Casino On July 1, 1967

The Bonanza Hotel & Casino, A two level, 160-room western-themed hotel and casino in Las Vegas, was constructed and owned by New York attorney Larry Wolf and opened on July 1, 1967. In order to capitalize on the then hugely popular prime-time TV show Bonanza, the opening night revue was hosted by none other than the show’s star Lorne Greene, “An Evening with Lorne Greene,” who performed in his full Ponderosa/Ben Cartwright costume in the hotel’s Opera House Showcase of the Stars. Other performers in the revue included Suzi Wallace, The Lively Five, The Bonanza Girls, Watusi Stampede ’67, all backed by the Joe Guercio Orchestra. Lorne Greene performed his fairly recent hit “Ringo,” and other popular songs of the day. His closing number was “What the World Needs Now.” The audience loved it… read more >