Steve Fischer
AUTHOR, HISTORIAN, STORYTELLER
The first book in this series is perhaps the only book ever written from eBay listings.
A Las Vegas historian, Steve Fischer’s lifelong love of Vegas started with his parents who loved Vegas. But it wasn’t until he semi-retired from a career in advertising and marketing that Steve began seriously collecting Vegas memorabilia and the stories that go along with the casinos, the gambling joints, and colorful characters who shaped the place.
Steve advised Vegas locals who formed the early Mob Museum located in the Tropicana before Mayor Oscar Goodman moved the operation downtown.
Driving around in a showy Cadillac with magnetic bullet holes along the side. Steve loved everything about Vegas—and Las Vegas loved Steve.
His eBay listings for Vegas trinkets such as hotel keys and ashtrays generated a following of readers who just wanted to read the stories Steve had researched in writing the descriptions. Those eBay listings turned into his first book, When the Mob Ran Vegas: Stories of Money, Mayhem, and Murder.
Further stories about the glamorous showgirls he met spurred him to write the second book, More When the Mob Ran Vegas: Showgirl Stories, High-Stakes Poker, Sin City, Sinatra & Suitcases Full of Money.
Among the vintage photos, the rare books, the tourist magazines, casino showbills, menus, and stir sticks, Steve’s most prized possession was the lobby poster featuring Elvis appearing at the International. And of course there’s a story about Elvis in the second book.
His Brooklyn accent never left him, even though Vegas historian and author Steve Fischer lived in Los Angeles and then moved to Omaha later in his career.
A storyteller, a man with a laugh that just made you smile, and quick wit, maybe even a funny joke that was still funny the third time he told it. That was Steve Fischer. Impulsive. Outgoing.
Delightful. And too generous.
Steve cashed in his chips in 2020. Somewhere the gambling gods are smiling. Las Vegas has never shined brighter.