Bruno Mars wore a white cowboy hat and black, western-cut suit, hinting to Las Vegas’s wild- west lineage. He glided along the Strip alongside an inflatable Elvis. Members of “The Rat Pack is Back” and Vegas showgirls joined the party.
It’s clear this superstar appreciates the touchstones of Las Vegas history. The “24 Karat” headliner once said, “I’m not Sammy,” when the comparison to Sammy Davis Jr. was suggested. But Mars has his own elevated, Sammy-inspired space, and now his own street where legends have played.
Mars was honored Friday with Bruno Mars Drive, the former Park Avenue, leading from the Strip into Park MGM and T-Mobile Arena. Emcee and longtime Mars confidant Phil Lawrence introduced the international recording artist as, “The new King of Las Vegas.”
Better check the trademark on that term, but there was no arguing that title in the uncommonly high April heat of Toshiba Square.
This was full-scale Bruno, starting with a parade from just north of Bellagio Fountains and snaking into a packed Toshiba Square at T-Mobile.
Mars and the Hooligans performed a quick show highlighted by “Treasure” for the crowd who waited about two hours for the free block party.
“I’ve gotta go now, I have a stadium to take over,” Mars said as the music wound down, He’s kicking off “The Romantic” tour at Allegiant Stadium on Friday and Saturday nights.
The new Bruno Mars Drive crosses Dolby Live, where Mars has headlined since NYE 2016. The street intersects with Dean Martin Drive to the west. Mars joins Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Davis, Jerry Lewis, Mel Torme, Jerry Lewis and Siegfried and Roy as Vegas headliners to have streets named after them in Las Vegas (er, Clark County).
But Mars is rare in that he is an honoree not just still living, but in his commercial and performance prime.
In another rarity, Mars made public comments. He’s usually heard from in his phones-locked shows at Dolby Live, or at the Pinky Ring at Bellagio, where phones aren’t locked but anyone spotted using one gets the pin-light-security-guard treatment.
Mars told the crowd he’d been warned against playing the city during the peak of his career.
“Ten, 15 years ago, when I first started out, they said, ‘Bruno, don’t play Vegas just yet. This is where acts go to retire, but you’re at the top of the charts right now, hold off,’” Mars said. “But I love this city so much. It reminds me so much of my hometown of Honolulu, performing for tourists every night from all over the world. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
He performed as Elvis as a kid. His father, Pete Hernandez, led the act. The veteran showman once played percussion for an act at Treasure Island’s since-closed Kahunaville, and also performed a doo-wop show at then-Cabaret Jazz (today’s Myron’s) at The Smith Center.
Mars’ father is a funny individual who said at the doo-wop performance, “Keep supporting Bruno, so he keeps supporting me!”
Mars read a text from his dad that he’d received Thursday, congratulating him on his massive honor.
“My loving son, I know you don’t like getting advice, but getting a street named after you is a monumental move. I know you must be very proud, because I am so very proud of you,” Mars said read from his phone. “If you say anything from the mic to the crowd, both God and people love humility. So be humble. Tell your fans, this is their street, and you are so honored and grateful.”
Mars said the messaged closed with, “P.S., please send money!” drawing a laugh and cheers.
Mars was honored repeatedly, with a Key to the Las Vegas Strip from Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson (Bruno Mars Drive is in the county, not city, so no city officials took part); and with a state of Nevada flag from Gov. Joe Lombardo, who told the crowd, “You know what’s great about being governor? This! If I weren’t governor, I doubt Bill Hornbuckle would have invited me here.”
Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts’ CEO and president, waved his arms to boost the cheering. He looked over at Mars and said, “I’m doing this! I’m doing this!” as if seeking approval.
Hornbuckle told the throng the gesture arrived from the company to celebrate Mars’ 40th birthday in March.
“How about if we name a street? How about if we have a Bruno Mars Day?” Hornbuckle said, recalling the conversation. “Every day in Las Vegas is Bruno Mars Day!”
While company had the original idea for the dedication, it was Mars himself who Bruno-sized the event with the Strip parade. The rolling production was backed by MGM Resorts (Hornbuckle declined to say how much, other than, “A lot.”). The spectacle rivaled the Aces’ and Golden Knights’ celebrations that also spilled into Toshiba Square.
In the mix: The Golden Knights’ Drumbots; VGK’s Vegas Vivas dance and cheer teams and the Raiderettes, both on a double-decker buses; the 30-member UNLV marching band; a Pinky Ring-designed float featuring house band the Dirty Thirty; a Hello Kitty/Mars-branded, double-decker bus; the 20-member Las Vegas Academy Mariachi Band; Foothill High School’s 150-member marching band; and vintage convertibles carting headlining DJ Anderson .Paak (opening for Mars on “The Romantic” tour) and the Hooligans.
On stage, in a nod to philanthropy Mars also donated $1 million to the MGM Resorts Foundation’s Employee Emergency Grant Fund & Children’s Medical Support Fund.
The oversized check presentation punctuated an out-sized event for a legend who still has a lot of music to create, and shows to play. As Hornbuckle said, ‘I truly believe he still has a 20-year run ahead of him. For him to receive a legacy honor like this is amazing.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.