Author • Dealer • Survivor of The Rock era in Vegas
Hi everyone! I’m Jimmy Fingers
Hi everyone! I’m Jimmy Fingers I opened the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1995 as a table games dealer. I’m also a guitarist whose bands have played several of the venues on property over the years. I worked there for the entire 25 years that the property was open as the Hard Rock. Being there for so long, I was fortunate to meet and work with so many wonderful people, and a few not so savory souls. I lived and breathed this rock n roll roller coaster ride and survived to tell the tale about it.
I’ve worked in the gaming industry for 32 years and in music for quite a bit more. I will be your guide on this journey through this amazing place called The Rock! I’ll give you some history, stories, and tons of pictures to take you there and relive some of the memories, so sit back, relax, and enjoy my book called The Rock: A 25 Year Era in Vegas!
Before we get started, I am often asked, how did you get the name “Jimmy Fingers”, especially since they put it on my name tag at work. Well, it was given to me by another dealer there named Mike Munoz, may he rest in peace. It has nothing to do with dealing, it was because I was a guitarist, and people would say that I had fast fingers. He got the idea from a Steven Seagal movie, Marked for Death where there was a character called Jimmy Fingers.
There was an actor in the movie Noel Langley Walcott AKA Jafada who used to frequent The Rock, and subsequently we became friends. He later would help promote some of my bands and book us gigs. It always gave me chills when he would say my name because it would flash me back to Marked for Death when he would say it in such a maniacal way. Another dear friend and personality gone from us. May he rest in peace, too.
Okay, so now you know. This is the real reason they call me Jimmy Fingers. Though, I did like the comments that I’d hear tapping into a blackjack game wearing that nametag!! One other thing that I’d like to mention is that I feel very fortunate to be alive to tell this tale. I died as a baby, and I’m a heart attack survivor, cancer survivor, dealt with diverticulitis for 30 years to the point that I had to have a piece of my colon removed last year, plus a couple other close calls that I don’t care to mention!! Trust me, I’m really feeling fortunate to be able to tell these tales.
The Resilient Road
One other thing that I’d like to mention is that I feel very fortunate to be alive to tell this tale. I died as a baby, and I’m a heart attack survivor, cancer survivor, dealt with diverticulitis for 30 years to the point that I had to have a piece of my colon removed last year, plus a couple other close calls that I don’t care to mention!! Trust me, I’m really feeling fortunate to be able to tell these tales.
The Literary Collection
The Rock: A 25 Year Era in Vegas
True stories from the coolest casino to ever hit Vegas – a wild, heartfelt, and gritty ride through 25 years at The Rock.
The Rock: A 25 Year Era in Vegas – Volume II (Coming Soon)
A follow-up packed with more photos, fan stories, and behind-the-scenes chaos from Hard Rock Hotel’s legendary run.
The Author’s Mirror
A semi-autobiographical reflection on the delicate dance between real life, the tables, and the tales we tell.
Let’s Turn the Page Together
Reach out for collaborations, reflections, or to discuss the next rocker journey. I’m really feeling fortunate to be able to tell these tales.