VEGAS MUSIC NEWS: Strip Bets on Nostalgia with Smokey & Gladys, Paul Anka, Jimmy & Terry

Posted on: January 28, 2026, 11:49h. 

Last updated on: January 28, 2026, 11:56h.

Corey Levitan Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Vegas Myths Busted.

The average age of the major musicians announcing concerts in Las Vegas this week is 77 years old. This is a remarkable show of staying power for these legacy artists. However, it’s also a revealing sign of how far the Strip still needs to go to matter to Gen Z, which represents its future customer base.

Smokey Robinson performed for four nights at the Venetian in April 2025. He has also presented “Human Nature: The Motown Show,” which has performed around town since 2009. Gladys Knight had residencies at the Flamingo from 2002-2005 and Tropicana in 2011. (Image: Palms)

The most notable announcement is a joint performance by Motown trailblazers and Vegas legends Smokey Robinson, 85, and Gladys Knight, 81. Titled “Just the Two of Us,” it pairs the former Miracles and Pips leaders at the Pearl at the Palms on April 25.

Robinson shaped the Motown sound with Miracles classics like “Shop Around,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” and “The Tears of a Clown.” He also wrote “My Girl,” “Get Ready,” and “My Guy,” later adding solo staples “Cruisin’” and “Being With You.”

Knight delivered era‑defining soul with the Pips, including “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “If I Were Your Woman,” and “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

Tickets go on sale to the public at 10 am PT Friday, January 30, via AXS.com.

Anka’s Away

Paul Anka, shown performing in 2024, wrote “My Way” for Frank Sinatra, in addition to “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “She’s A Lady,” and the theme to Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” (Image: Jeremy Chan/Getty)

Also appearing at the Pearl at the Palms will be Paul Anka, making his first appearance at the venue, on May 16.

Anka, 84, was also the first entertainer to perform at the Fontainebleau’s BleauLive Theater two years ago.

Tickets go on sale at 10 am PT Friday, January 30 via AXS.com

The Junior Seniors

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (66 & 69) are set to perform their first Las Vegas residency at Voltaire at the Venetian on April 17-18, 22, and 24-26.

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. (Image: Venetian)

“We’ve been blessed to do many things in our careers, but we’ve never had the opportunity to perform our five-decade catalog of hits live,” Jam said in a statement.

The five-time Grammy Award-winners and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will perform hits they wrote/produced for Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Usher, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, and others.

“The storytelling combined with live music will be like virtual time travel through the soundtrack of your life,” Lewis added.

Tickets go on sale at 10 am PT Wednesday, January 28 at voltairelv.com.