It’s been decades since the Rat Pack made gold records and filled the theaters in Las Vegas, but casinos remain a popular spot for popular music, and it's one of the main advantages of choosing to travel for your casino kicks as opposed to playing at casino sites. You’re unlikely to see the biggest classic rock acts unless they take a residency – Queen, Kiss, the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, and others are still selling out arenas – but rock groups that play summer shed shows are likely to add casino dates around the crooners, comedians and magicians.

And when it comes to music acts from the 1970s and before, who still like to hit the road, casinos are among the most popular spots for acts. Adults who grew up on Top 40 radio, “American Bandstand,” “Soul Train” and “The Midnight Special,” don’t want to fight traffic at a conventional theater or may wish to make the concert part of a mini vacation, with dinner and an overnight stay. 

Land-based casino locations also allow some touring bands to play parts of the country they may otherwise never get to. 

The Full Fall Casino Concert Touring Schedule

Here are some of the top vintage acts coming this fall that can still get your blood pumping.

The Marshall Tucker Band is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, still fronted by 75-year-old lead singer Doug Gray. One of the earliest of the Southern Rock groups, the genre-mashing Tucker Band will be at Foxwoods in Connecticut on Nov. 2, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town in West Virginia on Nov. 3, the Hard Rock in Atlantic City on Nov. 4 and at Turning Stone in upstate New York on Nov. 5. 

After a break to catch their breath, the band hits the Ameristar Casino in Missouri on Dec. 1, Rivers Casino in Illinois on Dec. 2, and MGM Northfield Park in Ohio on Dec. 7.

The Marshall Tucker Band have a busy casino schedule coming up - C: Alamy

Another 70s rock band, but with a grittier sound, is Grand Funk Railroad, who formed in 1969 in Michigan. Original lead singer Mark Farner is no longer with the group, but original members Don Brewer and Mel Schachner remain, playing arena rock favorites like “Feelin’ Alright,” “We’re an American Band,” “Bad Time,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and their hit cover of Little Eva’s “The Loco-Motion.” Grand Funk will be at;

• The Gary, Indiana Hard Rock on Nov. 2
• de Lago Casino in upstate New York on Nov. 10
• Yaamava resort & Casino in California on Nov. 16
• Wild Horse Pass Casino in California on Nov. 18
• Deadwood Mountain in South Dakota on Nov. 30 
• The Hard Rock Atlantic City on Dec. 9

On the two Hard Rock dates, Grand Funk will be joined by the British band Foghat, founded in 1971 and still with Roger Earl on drums. Foghat will play another casino show at River Cree Resort in Enoch, Alberta on Jan. 26, 2024.

1970s power ballad powerhouse Foreigner, is bringing its “Feels Like the Last Time” farewell tour to a number of casino stages. They’ll be at; 

• Caesars in Elizabeth, Indiana on Nov. 3 
• The Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan on Nov. 4
• The IP Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi on Nov. 11
• Wind Creek in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Nov. 17-18
• The Venetian in Las Vegas starting March 22, 2024

Founded in New York City in 1976, original member Mick Jones is still banging out hits like “Urgent,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Chicago was formed in 1967, and amazingly, three original members, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, and James Pankow, are still performing with the group, who’s unique blend of horns, R&B, rock, and pop, have been a longtime radio favorite. No one of a certain age doesn’t know “25 or 6 to 4,” Saturday in the Park,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” or “If You Leave Me Now.” 

Chicago will be at Wind Creek in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Nov. 11, performing with friends at the Hard Rock Atlantic City on Nov. 17, and performing in residency at the Venetian in Las Vegas starting in February. 

Smokey Robinson will play at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City this December - C: Alamy

If you like your 1970s hits a little funkier, KC and the Sunshine Band will be at the Hard Rock Atlantic City on Nov. 10, at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town in West Virginia on Dec. 9, and ringing in the new year at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California on Dec. 31. Earth, Wind & Fire will be at the Venetian in Las Vegas on Nov. 1, 3, and 4, and at the Hard Rock Atlantic City on Dec. 8-9.  Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson have been grooving with EWF for more than 50 years.

If you want to move back a decade (or more) further, the Beach Boys (Mike Love version) are at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma on Nov. 3 and at Live! Casino Maryland on Nov. 10. Paul Anka is at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on Nov. 4, while Foxwoods in Connecticut has the Righteous Brothers, with original member Bill Medley, the same night. 

Diana Ross is at Foxwoods on Nov. 18 and Patti LaBelle takes the stage on Nov. 24. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will be at Mohegan Sun, Dec. 1. The Hard Rock in Atlantic City is hosting Smokey Robinson on Dec. 1, and the latest iteration of the Four Tops and Temptations on Dec. 2.