This song was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman for the 1964 film of the same
name. Elvis recorded it on July 10, 1963 at Radio Recorders of Hollywood.
Working this session were: Scotty Moore, Tiny Timbrell and Billy Strange on
guitar; Bob Moore on bass; D.J. Fontana, Buddy Harman and Frank Carlson on drums
and percussion; Floyd Cramer, Dudley Brooks and Calvin Jackson on piano; Boots
Randolph and William Green on sax; James Zito on trumpet; and Herb Taylor and
Randall Miller on trombone. Backing vocals were by The Jordanaires. "Viva Las
Vegas" was released as a single in April 1964 and reached #29 in the U.S.A. and
#17 in the U.K.. It has since been recorded by ZZ Top. In recent years the song
has become recognized as the "unofficial" theme song for the city of Las Vegas
according to columnist Mike Weatherford of the "Las Vegas Review-Journal".