While this location was known as the Aladdin Hotel, the owners decided to create a performing arts center to replace the mildly used
golf course. Planning began in 1969, with concepts showing the venue as a separate building. In 1972, the hotel was sold to Sam Diamond, Peter Wevve, Sorkis Wevve and Richard Daly. The theater opened on July 2, 1976 (America's bicentennial weekend), with
Neil Diamond, who was paid $750,000 for five sold-out shows. During the 1970s and 1980s, the auditorium became a staple on the Strip for many rock and roll acts. In September 1977,
Frank Zappa's road manager was found dead of self-inflicted razor-blade wounds after a performance at the venue. In 1998, the original Aladdin Hotel was imploded. During the renovation, the center's original structure was removed, incorporating the venue into the casino area of the hotel. In 2000, the venue reopened with a performance by
Enrique Iglesias, with a capacity decrease to 7,000. Due to new competition from the
MGM Grand Garden Arena and
Mandalay Bay Events Center, the venue was used infrequently by music acts. In 2004, spectators walked out of a
Linda Ronstadt concert and some defaced posters of Ronstadt in the lobby after she expressed support for documentary filmmaker
Michael Moore. Ronstadt was then banned from the venue. The theater was the host of the Miss Universe
1991,
1996,
2012,
2015 and
2017 pageants, several
Miss USA pageants and several
Miss America pageants. In December 2013,
Live Nation Entertainment took over operations and management of the venue from BASE Entertainment. ==Notable events==