News from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino:
November 26, 2018 – INDIO, CA – In 1956, an extraordinary twist of fate brought young Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins together for what would become one of the greatest jam sessions ever. The Broadway show “Million Dollar Quartet” tells that amazing story through music of those artists, and the Tony Award-winning hit musical is headed to The Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Friday, January 11, 2019.
In December of 1956, Carl Perkins was in a post-“Blue Suede Shoes” funk, so he booked a one-day recording session at Sun Records in Memphis with producer Sam Phillips. Along with Jerry Lee Lewis, Perkins and his band recorded a number of songs including one of Perkins’ best-known records, “Matchbox.” The single turned out to be only a minor hit when Perkins recorded it but when The Beatles recorded it in 1964, it reached the top 20 of the Billboard charts.
Details from the rest of that day are still up in the air, but this is what is known: Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash later joined Perkins and Lewis and the foursome held an impromptu jam session. A newspaper found out about this historic recording session and wrote, “This quartet could sell a million.” Shortly after they were known as “The Million Dollar Quartet.”
The session was a reunion for Cash, Perkins, and Presley, who had toured together in 1955. Lewis was still a star on the rise, but quickly bonded with Presley over their shared knowledge of spirituals. The recording session retains its historical significance as a landmark event in the age of Rock n’ Roll, and a milestone for the genre in the ever-changing world of the 20th century popular culture and mass media.
The Broadway musical “Million Dollar Quartet” captures the contagious spirit, freewheeling excitement, and thrilling sounds of this once-in-a-life-time event where four of the greatest talents in music history came together and shared their musical visions with each other in a historic jam session. Relive the era with the smash-hit sensation featuring an incredible score of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B, and country hits performed live on stage by the world-class actors and musicians. Showcased hit songs include: “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.
Tickets for the 8pm “Million Dollar Quartet” show on Friday, January 11, 2019 are on sale now for $59, $49 and $39 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via telephone at 800-827-2946 or online at www.FantasySpringsResort.com.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino provides an oasis in the desert, featuring 30 “Best of Gaming” awards from Casino Player magazine. Offering 2,000 of the hottest slots, world-class table games, entertainment, hotel, dining and golf at Eagle Falls, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino stands to meet and exceed the needs of its guests and the community. Fantasy Springs is a privately operated business of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. For more information, call toll free 800.827.2946 or visit www.FantasySpringsResort.com. Follow Fantasy Springs on Facebook and on Twitter and Instagram @fantasysprings.