Marla and I thought it would be fun to celebrate my birthday last January with a trip to Las Vegas and a show at the Sphere with the Eagles! We booked a VIP hotel and Sphere show package with Vibee.com. Vegas isn’t really our thing, but seeing the Eagles at the Sphere sealed the deal. When my good friend Tom heard we were going he said “I’ll join you!”

Marla went to Las Vegas almost every summer growing up. The photo above is her family at a dinner show at either the Desert Inn or The Sahara. Her dad worked the Vegas territory for their company, Wesco Fabrics. Joline loved to gamble at the crap table all night! Harry never gambled and wouldn’t let other salesmen work it as he felt it would be too much temptation. Marla met stars like Pat Boone, Tom Jones, Ray Bolger, and many others. Her uncle was a “pit boss” and had many connections. While in college he got tickets for Marla and me, along with our friend Lea, for super close seating for a show with Frank Sinatra with the Count Basie orchestra. Later when we were married, we had front row seats for the Jackson Five, and Michael Jackson pulled Marla up on stage to dance with him!

I made a reservation at my favorite Vegas restaurant, Piero’s. Located near the Convention Center, this high-end “old-school” restaurant is renowned for its mobster-era atmosphere, celebrity clientele—including the Rat Pack and Michael Jordan—and as a filming location for the 1995 movie Casino.

I jokingly told Tom…”keep your head down, don’t look at the crime boss and the hookers walking by, and just study your menu!”

I love a great shrimp cocktail!

A birthday surprise!

I may be wrong, but I thought I heard Tom say…”just leave the tray.”

We walked by the gondola ride at the Venetian Resort.

Our last trip to Las Vegas was a few years ago to see Lady Gaga. The city is constantly evolving.

On the right is the construction of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

We did some window shopping at Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

It’s always fun to see what is new!

We visited the recreation of the Troubadour nightclub. Since opening in 1957, the legendary Troubadour club in West Hollywood has helped launch some of contemporary music’s most talented performers.

Tom loves rock and roll and was a rock promoter while in college at U.C. Davis.

This is the #1 best selling album of all time!

Tom booked a number of very famous bands into Freeborn Hall in Davis, California.

The floor tiles have a 3D effect in the Venetian Hotel & Casino in the style of M.C. Escher.

We booked dinner at the Bouchon restaurant before the show.

The Sphere is truly amazing!

There is a tunnel from the Venetian Hotel to the Sphere. We had special VIP entrance with our Vibee package.

Tom took this from his seats. Marla and I were much lower.

I’m definitely getting stoked for the show!

I took this video for the Eagles opening song!

The Eagles’ residency at the Las Vegas Sphere (2024–2026) features core members Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit, with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey, son of original member Glenn Frey who passed away. Guitarist, Chris Holt, joined the band as well.

Overhead graphics of Joe Walsh and Chris Holt.

The very best audio and visuals ever!

Vince Gill solos.

Joe Walsh in the clouds!

The entire show was sensational because the Eagles have such an iconic playlist! I would love to return in the future for a group or performer with a powerful playlist. Coldplay or the Doobie Brothers would be wonderful!

Thank you Marla and Tom for making my birthday so special!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.