Over the years, many stars have gotten their debut in Las Vegas. Some go on to mainstream success, while others, just as talented, remain closely associated with the lounges and showrooms of the Strip for the rest of their careers.

The Kim Sisters, from their arrival in Las Vegas in the late 1950s, were one of the town’s most popular acts, and they found a measure of broader fame through their numerous appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The Kim Sisters—Sookja, Aija and Mia—first came to the United States in February of 1959 to perform as part of the China Doll Revue at the Thunderbird casino on the Strip. They were three of seven children born to Kim Hae-song, an eminent Korean conductor, and Lee Ran-Young, one of the country’s best-known singers. 

Tragedy struck the family when Mr. Kim was captured and killed by North Koreans during the country’s civil war, but the sisters remained strong, performing to support their family.

Each sister could sing and play several instruments, talents that made them ideal lounge performers. After their month-long engagement at the Thunderbird, the Kim Sisters moved to the Stardust, where Ed Sullivan was wowed by the show. Although the group didn’t have a record, radio airplay or even a recording contract, he brought them to New York to appear on his wildly popular variety show. The group ultimately appeared 22 times on the show.

Sullivan gave the girls the break they needed, as they found themselves on magazine covers and in the news, even though interviews were difficult. The sisters knew only limited English, and though they performed country and rock and roll songs in perfect English, they had no real idea of what they were signing, having memorized the words phonetically.

The Kim Sisters continued to perform in Las Vegas. They had memorable runs at the Flamingo and at the Hilton, where they performed in the lounge while Elvis Presley headlined the showroom. After Aija’s death in 1987, the sisters no longer performed as a group, though Sookja—today Sue Kim Bonafazio—continued to perform for a time with two of her brothers. 

The Kim Sisters are notable Las Vegans, not only because of their musical accomplishments, but because they were among the first Koreans to call the city their home—which makes them pioneers of both entertainment and society.

SOURCE: Kim Sisters Collection, UNLV Special Collections

David G. Schwartz (www.dieiscast.com), is the Director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is the author of Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling.

By David Schwartz

David G. Schwartz an Atlantic City native and the director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is the author of Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling. His web site can be viewed at www.dieiscast.com.