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Not EDC -- Rockabilly The Heart Of Vegas' Longest Running Music Fest

In this April 5, 2015, photo, women wait in line before taking part in a bathing suit contest at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend in Las Vegas.
AP Photo/John Locher

In this April 5, 2015, photo, women wait in line before taking part in a bathing suit contest at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend in Las Vegas.

This weekend marks the anniversary of the longest-running festival in Las Vegas.

And no – it’s not the Electric Daisy Carnival.

Instead, think Betty Page hairdos and clothing, ducktail haircuts for the guys, tattoos and the occasional pack of smokes rolled into the sleeve of a fresh, white T-shirt.

It’s Viva Las Vegas, a rockabilly festival happening at The Orleans.

Tom Ingram, who grew up in England but lives in California, brought his festival, Viva Las Vegas, to the city 20 years ago.

As his 20,000 guests arrive this weekend, they'll come from all over the United States, and the world.

Ingram said there's a difference in rockabilly music -- who some people will recognize in the turns of the 1980s band, The Stray Cats -- that gives it a longevity. He says the music has more soul and feel than a lot of modern music.

 

 

 

 

Tom Ingram, founder, Viva Las Vegas rockabilly festival

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Joe Schoenmann joined Nevada Public Radio in 2014. He works with a talented team of producers at State of Nevada who explore the casino industry, sports, politics, public health and everything in between.