Alexander James Shoofey, who
rose from humble beginnings
in a Brooklyn orphanage to
become a Las Vegas gaming
giant, successively running
the Sahara, Flamingo and Las
Vegas Hilton resorts in the
1960s and early '70s, died
Wednesday. He was 91.
The day after Elvis Presley
opened at Las Vegas' Hotel
International in 1969, the
resort's president, Alex
Shoofey, was in the showroom
having a cup of coffee with
Presley's manager, Colonel
Tom Parker.
Despite a hugely successful
opening night, Shoofey was
unhappy because the king of
rock 'n' roll had been
contracted to only two weeks
a year at the new 1,500-room
resort that today is the Las
Vegas Hilton.
"Listen," Shoofey recalled
telling Parker in his 2003
UNLV oral history interview.
"I'd like to extend your
contract ."
Parker balked: "Alex, it's
too early. Let's find out
whether he (Presley) can
make it or not."
"I'll take that chance right
now," Shoofey said. He then
scribbled on the tablecloth
a new pact that would result
in more than 700 sell out
performances from 1969 to
1976, resparking Presley's
career and making him a Las
Vegas icon.